French and Benelux stocks - Factors to watch on Nov. 10

PARIS, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Below are company-related news and leading stories from French and Benelux newspapers which could have an impact on the region's markets or individual stocks. RENAULT The French car maker's chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, said on Tuesday an agreement had been signed with India's Bajaj Auto for a low-cost car which would come to India in 2012. CGG VERITAS The off-shore services group reports 31 percent drop in third quarter revenues to $731 million due to difficult market conditions and said its group operating margin was 8 percent. SODEXO The food services group said it was on track to meet medium-term objectives after reporting fiscal 2009 results in line with its guidance although it said the economic crisis would stall sales growth in 2010. AREVA The French nuclear group said on Monday that it received three bids as expected for its electricity transmission and distribution business on Monday. The offers came from the French tandem Alstom and Schneider Electric, the American General Electric , and Japan's Toshiba. Areva now has a few weeks to weigh the bids. For more on the sale of Areva's T&D unit, click on ALCATEL-LUCENT Standard & Poor's downgraded the telecommunications equipment maker's long-term credit rating to "B" from "B+" after its third quarter earnings release last week. S&P said the outlook was negative. "The downgrade primarily reflects our expectation that the turnaround in Alcatel Lucent's operating performance, and notably a return to sustainable positive cash generation, could take several quarters," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Patrice Cochelin. EULER HERMES The credit insurer's third quarter results were hurt by a higher-than-usual level of corporate bankruptcies, and the firm said it did not expect much improvement in the fourth quarter. Euler Hermes, which is a unit of Germany's Allianz, posted third quarter net income of 0.20 million euros compared with 30 million a year prior. ARKEMA The French specialty chemicals maker posted a dip in quarterly net income and a quarter-on-quarter improvement in its growth as the effects of the crisis withered and thanks to higher demand in Asia. RECTICEL Belgian foam maker gives third-quarter trading update. FORTIS Kasikornbank is to increase its stake in Muang Thai to 51 percent from 10 percent, fellow shareholder Fortis said. Fortis would get net proceeds of 41 million euros from the deal which result in a lower economic interest in Muang Thai. NATIONAL BANK OF BELGIUM Belgium's central bank said it expected its gross dividend for 2009 to be between 114.00 and 131.50 euros per shares (85.50 to 98.625 euros net of withholding tax). LOTUS BAKERIES Belgian cookie maker said sales were stable in the first 10 months of 2009 in a more difficult market, with a similar gross margin, adding it was difficult to make a specific forecast. EPIQ Belgian electronic systems company says it expects quarterly profits of about 1 million euros and sales of around 45 million euros until the middle of 2010. ZENITEL Belgian communication network company said revenue from continuing operations in the first nine months rose by 5 percent and that it planned cost cuts in 2010. WERELDHAVE The Dutch property group is due to report third quarter results. Wereldhave Belgium on Monday posted a direct result per share of 1.03 euros for the third quarter of 2009. SNS REAAL The Dutch bancassurer is scheduled to give a third quarter trading update. 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