International News

A war is looming regulatory Does between Europe and the United States? Timothy Geithner, U.S. Treasury Secretary, has decided to establish new rules of the playing field in the financial sector, in favor of the reforms adopted by Washington in the aftermath of the crisis. In a speech in Atlanta yesterday, the manager has to understand that these new global rules should be aligned with the U.S. model. "We do what it takes to strengthen the financial system of the United States. We will do so with caution.And as we act as we rally the world ", assured the Treasury secretary, adding that he did not want" a new race to the bottom ".

Timothy Geithner has particularly stressed the need for more restrictive measures against the derivatives markets, often singled out as one of the causes of the financial crisis Online payday loans.

Last Friday, the European Union just called the U.S. move to reform its financial sector in line with the current one on the Old Continent. Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, sent a letter to Washington.Brussels fears that U.S. banks are gaining a competitive advantage with less restrictive rules, in particular as regards the requirements in equity.

ALSO READ:

"Wall Street continues to resist the financial reform

"Reform of the banking system to G20

"Trichet insisted on financial reform

"Financial Reform:" much to do "

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) maintains its pressure on Switzerland and its banking secrecy. The Global Forum on transparency and exchange of tax information, which includes 101 countries, under the auspices of the OECD released Wednesday night, Bermuda, his verdict on nine countries, including France, United States, Switzerland and Singapore, two financial centers deemed opaque.

Not surprisingly, the OECD does not spare the Swiss Confederation. The report highlights several "shortcomings" of the Swiss legislation in the light of new international agreements on tax matters. In March 2009, following the UBS scandal in the United States, and under pressure from the G20, which forced the OECD to draw up lists of black and gray havens, Switzerland pledged not to oppose its banking secrecy when investigation for tax evasion.To exit the "gray list", where she had fallen at the time, the Confederation has revised most of its bilateral tax agreements – 29 new agreements have been signed since – to include the latest standards of fiscal transparency required by the OECD.

Problem: According to the OECD Global Forum, the Swiss legislation, pending approval by Parliament, is still too restrictive, preventing the de facto transfer of information on tax evaders. Indeed, the new Swiss legislation stipulate that the requesting State must have the name and address of the alleged fraudster, to avoid "blind fishing" for information.

New promises

Result: "a minority" of the new agreements are found to comply with OECD standards.Alerted this winter, it might be re-pinned to its opacity in the exchange of tax information, Switzerland has made amends, at least orally. Last February, the Ministry of Finance Helvetian committed to make adjustments in its legislation by February 2012 so that the absence of name of alleged fraudster is no longer a barrier to information sharing.

Hailed by the OECD, this new concession Bern was very badly received by the Swiss financial sector, which fears of losing the whole banking secrecy fearing further withdrawals of funds for the benefit of Asian financial centers, less scrupulous. In Switzerland, where the subject is very sensitive, conservative politicians of the UDC accuse the federal government to yield to the injunctions of Paris and Berlin.They hope that at the end of the race, a referendum will force the federal government to reconsider its promises.

Helvetic anger is even stronger than the OECD report on Singapore, released at the same time, is more lenient. The gaps relate to the authority in charge of investigations for tax evasion. According to the World Forum, this institution is not equipped with adequate investigative powers to obtain information from banks and offshore companies. Now it is to Singapore as the most hidden funds have sought refuge in Switzerland for two years.

"It is expected that several clubs are among those most indebted, go bankrupt and disappear from the elite of professional football." The diagnosis of Bastien Drut, an economist and author of the book entitled "Economics of Professional Football" (Editions la Découverte) is final.

Boosted by inflation of television rights, the "football business" has squandered the wages of players who are sometimes more than 100% revenue clubs. "The crisis will deepen the focus on players' salaries," says Vincent Chaudel, communications director Europe, Africa and Middle East at Kurt Salmon, a consulting firm.The talented players should always receive high salaries and certainly on the rise, but the clubs whose financial situation is delicate, will probably choose between lowering the average wage standard of the players, and reduce the number of players on their team " .

Reduce payroll and income diversification

The presidents of the OL, Jean-Michel Aulas, and Om, Jean-Claude Dassier, ensured that a decline in TV rights would force them to reduce their wage bill even to sell some players. "I doubt that we are seeing a real reduction in payroll in the major French clubs, says Vincent Chaudel. As the French and European teams can not do without talent, they never cease to raise wages. "

The other challenge for football clubs will be to diversify their resources.Ligue 1 clubs are too dependent on television rights which average 57% of their income. In addition, Canal + has always said he would not raise its offer. French clubs and fear for their recipes. Vincent Chaudel advance a solution. "The choice of the French model where the clubs pay part of L1 (20%) of revenue from the sale of television rights to the clubs of L2, mechanical weakening their financial competitiveness with countries that have opposed sporting and financial models . Depending on the outcome of the next tender, the French football may be forced to revise its economic model based on solidarity. "

Other contracts naming to wait

Ligue 1 clubs are catching up especially in ticketing or sponsorship deals.While Germany has an average attendance this season every weekend more than 40,000 spectators, France does not even crossed the threshold of 20,000. Hence the importance of building new stadiums or renovate the current.

Following the partnership between the club Le Mans moving to the second division and the mutual insurance company, Mutual du Mans Assurances, naming other contracts (a contract between a sports club and a society that gives its name to the stadium) are also wait. The AXA Group is well positioned to give its name to the future Grand Stadium Lille for an annual amount of 3.3 million. And in an interview figaro.fr, president of Olympique Lyonnais, Jean-Michel Aulas had stated in talks with Qatari and Russian companies for naming the next speaker of Lyon.He also suggested the names of Danone and Coca-Cola.

ALSO READ:

"INTERVIEW -" Football French exchange business model '

"Lyon, France champion of … deficit

"More than half of European football clubs in deficit

Strong rebound in the Paris Bourse. The Cac 40 wins 1.32% mid-term to 4060.20 points. The previous day he had dropped 1.25% due to the deteriorating financial situation of Greece. The trend remains fragile. Investors will follow the show including six months of the Greece of a $ 1.25 billion.

Greece does not discuss additional assistance, sources said Tuesday Greek and European senior, denying a news report that suggested a new plan of 60 billion euros. This information has boosted European values ​​that are returned to the rise in the morning.

On the macroeconomic front, industrial production fell 0.9% in March, according to statistics released Tuesday by the INSEE.Analysts forecast an average 0.4% increase in industrial production.

United States, the import prices in April will be released at 14:30.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro was stable against the dollar on Tuesday. About 11:00 am in Paris, the euro was at 1.4365 dollars against 1.4358 late Monday.

Greece in big trouble, gasoline at record levels

After losing more than 2% Wednesday, financial stocks are at the party on Tuesday. Societe Generale (2.22% to 43.12 euros), Axa (+2.15% at 14.97 euros), Credit Agricole (2.14% to 10.98 euros) and BNP Paribas (+2, 10% to 54.05 euros) had the largest decreases the Cac 40.The rating agency Standard and Poor's downgraded two notches sovereign rating of Greece.

BNP Paribas is expected to formalize Wednesday Pébereau departure from the presidency of the French bank at the end of the year or early 2012, and appoint in his place the current chief executive Baudoin Prot, the Financial Times. The latter should be replaced by Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, deputy CEO of the group.

Accor: + 4.01% to 30.29 euros

CA Cheuvreux has adopted a positive opinion on value."The stock is trading at a discount of 25% compared to that of its European competitors," suggests the analyst, however, maintains its price target to 35.50 euros on the value.

Plastic Omnium: + 7.98% to € 22.60

The Plastic Omnium share is up sharply Tuesday on the Paris Stock Exchange after announcing the acquisition of Rotherma, a leading European manufacturer of underground containers quick payday loans. ROTHERM achieved a turnover of 12 million euros in 2010.

Lagardère: + 1% to 29.26 EUR

Arnaud Lagardère, general partner of Lagardere said at the meeting due to the group maintained its proposed IPO for its 20% stake in Canal +.

Saint-Gobain: + 3.01% to 47.24 euros

The group announced on Tuesday an investment of around 50 million euros in the construction of its second automotive glass plant in China, Qingdao, Shandong Province (east).

While gasoline prices breaking new records almost 1.55 euros on average, earn 1.60% to Total 41.93 euros.

JC Decaux: + 1.47% to 23.49 euros

JCDecaux has significantly exceeded its target on the first three months of 2011 by signing a growth of 7.8% of its turnover but it is more cautious for the current quarter assuming an increase of about 4%.

Saffron: + 2.02% to 26.53 euros, Thales: + 0.34% to 29.80 euros

Safran and Thales should arrive this summer with a tentative agreement on an exchange of assets in the defense wanted by the government, as the chief representative of arming Laurent Collet-Billon, in an interview Tuesday at Les Echos. In a statement, Safran confirms negotiations with Thales.

Sales and general meetings in the program

Atos Origin: -1.8% to 41.54 euros

The IT services company Atos Origin said Tuesday sales down 1.3% in the first quarter 2011 to 1.22 billion euros.For the first half, the group seeks an operating margin up 50 basis points, compared to 6% for the first half of 2010.

Eurazeo: + 1% at 56.76 euros

The investment company Eurazeo in the first quarter revenues stable at 866.8 million euros, but up 5.9% in not taking into account the base effect associated with adverse chain of budget hotels B & B Hotels, sold in 2010.

The turnover in the first quarter of Maurel et Prom, Nexity, Ruby, Alten, Assystem, Devoteam and Eutelsat (third quarter), will be announced after market close.

Note that the general meetings of ArcelorMittal, Lagardere and Havas will be held Tuesday.

In French tour operators, time is the early cancellations. Shortly after the attack that killed 16 people in the city center of Marrakech, Current Travel Agency in Paris has recorded its first withdrawal for a stay in Morocco. "Right now, we expect to learn further, perhaps to discourage strongly to reach customers," said Audrey Thuillard, an employee, who claims hold "until three or four trips per month "in this country. Ditto for the agency Solari, also based in the capital. "We have several departures scheduled soon, said her manager, Barbara Solari. Of course, we will notify our customers and there will probably withdraw.But for now, we do not close sales. "Without illusion, it considers that the fact that at least six French have died in the attack will" and against "the Kingdom of Morocco as a holiday destination .

However, if Morocco were to be shunned by tourists, the consequences could be disastrous for the economy. In fact, the sector weighs 10% of GDP and is the first post of foreign exchange earnings. Summarizing the situation, Kader Abderrahim, researcher and expert on North Africa at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), judge that by targeting the Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, tourist mecca of the city, the attack "hit the kingdom in his heart.""You can expect an ebb in the number of tourists after the bombing of the Hotel Asni in August 1994 and those in Casablanca in 2003 and 2007," he adds, noting that "the country has of years to recover. " In another context, too violent revolutions that Arab Kader Abderrahim adds that in Tunisia, "tourism has dropped by more than 50%" since the fall of President Ben Ali.

"Morocco does not have the resources of Algeria"

What seize the ambitions of the Moroccan government on tourism, which sees in this sector the main driver of growth in the years to come. Last November, he launched the "Plan 2011-2020" which aims to make this country of 32 million inhabitants "the twentieth tourist destination," as he swings around the time of the thirtieth position World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).A total of one million new jobs must be created in particular, with an annual revenue target of $ 13.15 billion, reports Les Echos. And for good reason, "Morocco is not Algeria," said Kader Abderrahim, referring to oil and gas resources of the neighbor. "Apart from a little phosphate, the country that has tourism."

Recognizing these issues, and knowing that the French weigh two million passengers over the 9.4 million that Morocco hosted last year, Alain Juppe believes that there is "no reason today to give up a trip to Morocco. " "In this region, in general, the terrorist threat is high and permanent," has justified the Foreign Minister, saying that "the Moroccan authorities are able to provide security in the country." Statements that leave no doubt the leaders of the Centre for the Study of tour operators (CETO) perplexed.Collecting 80% of tour operators of the Hexagon, the organization did not want Friday morning "not comment" on any cessation of travel to Morocco. Before you do the same ministry in the early afternoon, just noting that "all members" hold for the time their departures.

After Ireland and Portugal, Iceland could be the third country to experience a major diplomatic or political crisis, directly resulting from the economic and financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. On Saturday, some 230,000 Icelanders go to the polls have indeed voted in a referendum against the agreement Icesave, the name of the online banking subsidiary of Landsbanski, the second Icelandic bank nationalized in 2008 after going bankrupt.

Since March 6, 2010, the date of an initial consultation, the question arose on the repayment to Great Britain and the Netherlands of compensation paid at the time of their nationals Icesave victims (about 340,000 savers). Totaling over $ 3.9 billion. A financial burden that Icelanders have refused to take in view of the first results of the referendum held Saturday, April 9.

"No problem to solve our debts"

According to figures almost final, non prevail widely, with 57.7% of the vote, against 42.3% of voters in favor of yes. Certainly, the rejection is much less massive than a year ago, Icelanders have been 92% to vote against the assumption by the State for damages caused by international private banks. However, the consequences seem equally or even more complicated for the government in place since 2008. Iceland had indeed engaged in December last year to repay the Netherlands and Great Britain, all amounts advanced to their injured citizens.To plan would run from 2016 to 2046.

Already, even before the final election results, the Dutch Minister of Finance Kees Jan De Jager said he was "very disappointed" by the decision of the Icelandic people do not accept the agreement between the three countries to try to resolve a situation that has become almost inextricable. For British and Dutch side, no question that the matter ends there, whereas the two countries now that the litigation must be brought to justice.

In London and The Hague, the respective Ministers of Finance are studying the possibility of litigation to settle the case before the EFTA (European Free Trade Association). A first procedure had already been initiated by the Netherlands to that authority, then stopped to allow the three countries directly negotiate terms of an agreement.With the refusal of the Icelandic people Saturday "the negotiation stage is over" said Niels Redeker, spokesman for the Dutch Ministry of Finance. He thus echoes the English Treasury number two, Danny Alexander, who considers "disappointing" that the negotiated settlement with Iceland is either resulted in a release.

"No problem to solve our debts"

Therefore, the EFTA will resume in the coming weeks the record in hand. And Iceland may be worried because the authority was already acknowledged in 2010 that the amounts claimed by the Netherlands to Iceland and they were well due. The arrival of the United Kingdom in the proceedings, which examined the possibilities Sunday "to join it" could further complicate the task of the Icelandic government.Because if it believes it has "no problem to pay its debts" in the words of Steingrimur Sigfusson, his Finance Minister, is it always that the Icelanders are still refusing to pay the slate of private banks. More for foreign citizens. Therefore politically difficult to Reykjavik to meet its promises after two resounding rejection of his countrymen.

ALSO READ:

"The IMF offers to help Iceland

"EU: Iceland applies for

"The Central Bank of Iceland calls on the ECB and the Fed to aid

The team goes into overdrive in the race to develop digital. In January, Marie-Odile Amaury, CEO of the eponymous media group, reiterated his desire to develop the sports daily on digital media, web, mobile tablets, after clearing up advertising revenue in 2010. "The Team Leader Sports Information on digital. Our website attracts over 5 million unique visitors per month, consuming more than 700 million page views, which places him among the top three websites in France, across all categories. Our mobile traffic has surpassed 100 million monthly page views. All our media are also available on shelf ", says the CEO of L'Équipe, which is also considering" creating a product designed exclusively for Team shelves that prepares for early 2012. "

In 2011, one of the group's priorities is to approximate the print and Web newsrooms, which total more than 350 journalists and must "work more consistently. These essays have lived ten years in parallel with strong stories, "says Francis Morinière, who named Fabrice Jouhaud head of editorial at the end of last year. The latter has seen his responsibilities extended to the Web, in addition to newspaper and magazine. "This is one of the most brilliant journalists of his generation, I think this project will lead with intelligence."

A free channel available on an HD channel

Another variation of the group, the Team TV channel on cable (numeric), satellite (CanalSat) and ADSL (SFR), carries an audience share of 0.2%, according to Mediametrie. What is the future of TV? "The thematic development of pay channels is complicated to run.That's why, if the CSA confirmed its intentions, The Team will be a candidate for the award of a frequency HD digital free sports information, "says Francis Morinière, echoing the call for APF applications "should be announced for late 2011. Until now available on carriers paying Team TV would become a free channel, directly accessible on a HD channel. "This is a major project for the Amaury group. That's why this decision was taken in full agreement with Philippe Carli, CEO of the group. Two years ago, the president had said during the Estates General of the press that "The State should ensure that the press has the conditions for its development." Our development on television follows this logic.The future of media groups through their ability to project itself into a multimedia based on strong brands and recognized, "said Francois Morinière.

If he gets the green light from the CSA, the proposed free HD channel on DTT would require an investment of "more than 30 million euros cash advance now. Many people are concerned about upsetting the economic balance of the PAF. But it will not be challenged because we are targeting around 1% market share of advertising revenues in television [estimated at 3.4 million net in 2010, according Irep]. When comparing the profitability of media groups and media groups, there is no danger in delay. For us, it can be very beneficial to the contrary ", says the CEO of the group.What would the editorial content of this new channel for free? "The sport is missing from the landscape of free channels, then it is a focal point for 25 million French. The public expectation is high, and the legitimacy of the team is obvious. Our project is ambitious and is a part of Team DNA. It was Charles Bietry, editorial director of TV crew and one of the inventors of the sport on television, which designs the project. "

8.4 million consumers

If he was born, this project would compete with that of Alain Weill, RMC Sport, which would also aim to invest TNT HD. "We'll see. Team TV has been around almost 13 years, but the draft RMC. Our editorial guidelines are different, our projects will be too.RMC is very focused on football and relies on consultants vedettes.Notre project will discuss all sports in all their meanings, and based on an essay of 350 journalists sport experts, present on all land sports the world. Sport is essential in the TNT. The team of 70 can speak the French sports, "argues Francis Morinière.

In 2010, France paid for the dissemination of L'Équipe, almost stable at -0.3%, amounted to 302,158 copies, according to OJD. Sporting events of 2011 do they offer such good prospects? "We are pleased with these figures. This is the first time that the daily broadcast is stabilized since 2006, knowing that France was now in the final of the FIFA World Cup, "said Francois Morinière.In addition, Team consolidates its leading position in national newspaper with 2,347,000 readers daily on average, up 1.6%, according to the latest audience research EPIQ. A hearing "up 6% on assets and AB +, as the Group Chief Executive. Finally, the mark "Team" is the first media brand in France with 8.4 million consumers weekly, daily between the Web and magazine. Nevertheless, 2011 will inevitably a little quieter for us. Sporting events are less promising and have the disadvantage of being in negative time difference, "he concedes.

Returned to profit, the group Team weighs "250 million" in sales in 2010. "Just over 50% of its revenues" are generated by the newspaper, whose 'relative share is fairly stable, "said its director general.

The Cac 40 should begin the session and week, up on Monday morning. Asian markets are facing this morning as Wall Street Friday, which closed on an increase of 0.43% after the release of employment figures better than expected in the United States.

This week, the industry is in the spotlight, during the first week of national industry. The report on the financing of green growth, produced by the Economic Council for Sustainable Development (CESD) is to be delivered this morning. The International Energy Agency will provide an update on smart grids. No macroeconomic statistics is expected Monday.Parisian investors should therefore focus on the many acquisitions announced this weekend, and this morning before the market opens.

Six acquisitions announced in 48 hours

Rhodia announced Monday it had signed an agreement yesterday with the Belgian Solvay has made a friendly takeover offer on its entire capital, to 31.60 euros per share.

Vivendi announced yesterday that it bought the 44% held by German Vodafone SFR to 7.95 billion euros. It possesses the entire share capital of the telephone operator.The operation should allow to "increase the dividend for 2012, said Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi.

Sanofi-Aventis holds 84.6% shares of Genzyme, following its takeover offer on U.S. biotech.

Ingenico announced Monday the acquisition activity in the United States from its U.S. rival Hypercom for $ 54 million. The specialist in payment terminals and wants to strengthen its position in the United States.

The price of nuclear electricity generated by EDF and sold to competitors at wholesale prices would be set at 40 euros per megawatt, according to Les Echos, which states that this rate is still subject to validation of the Elysee. EDF demanded 42 euros per MWh.

PagesJaunes bought the site from ads Avendrealouer.fr, which was previously held by PriceMinister.The transaction, whose amount was not disclosed, will enable it to dethrone Seloger.com head of the French market.

The Moroccan telecoms operator Meditel, which France Telecom holds 40% stake, recorded a 126% jump in net profit last year thanks to the expansion of its clientele, said Friday the official news agency MAP .

Side publications Monday, Delachaux should submit its accounts to 8.30. The annual results of Aegis is also expected. Argan the land must submit its turnover in the first quarter of 2011.

Wall Street ends week in positive territory. At the close on Friday, the Dow Jones advance of 0.46% to 12,373.72 points. The S & P 500 is 0.5% to 1332.41 points. The Nasdaq composite index was him, appreciated by 0.31% to 2789.60 points.

For the week, the Dow gained 1.3%, the S & P 1.4% and Nasdaq 1.7%.

The job restarts

Yesterday, the markets showed very cautious before the release of the monthly report on employment. They discover a pleasant surprise today: the recruitment remained high and accelerated in the U.S. in March, allowing the unemployment rate to decline for the fourth consecutive month. This fell to 8.8%, its lowest level since March 2009 (8.6%). The market was expecting an average 8.9% stability.The U.S. created 216,000 non-farm jobs last month when observers were waiting an average of 190,000 new posts after 194,000 (revised) in February. Economists point out that new posts are developing in many sectors of the U.S. economy, which suggests a general recovery.

The good news on the jobs front this week have followed. On Wednesday, the firm ADP unveiled the net creation of 201,000 jobs in the U.S. last month. Thursday, the markets learned that the weekly claims for unemployment benefits were lower spring to 400,000 for six of the last eight weeks.

"Investors are expecting good numbers of jobs after the firm ADP's report on Wednesday, and they were even better than the optimistic expectations," said Michael James, of Wedbush Morgan Securities."This tells us that the economy continued to grow in March, and perhaps a modestly faster pace than what we expected," commented Hugh Johnson, Hugh Johnson Advisors.

Construction spending receding

Other statistics were also at the appointment on Friday. Worse than employment, they were completely overshadowed:

– The growth of manufacturing activity slowed slightly in March but less than expected, according to the index of industrial purchasing managers released Friday. This index, calculated by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), stood at 61.2 in March after having touched a high of nearly seven years to 61 faxless payday advance.4 in February. Analysts on average expected an index to 61.0.

– Construction spending fell more than expected in February in the United States, posting a decline of 1.4% to an annual rate of 760.6 billion dollars, its lowest level since October 1999, underlining the renewed frailty in the housing sector. Economists on average had forecast a decline of 0.1% after falling 1.8% in January (revised from -0.7%)

As for currencies, the euro stood at 1.4224 dollars at the close, surging 0.49%.

War of the exchanges is relaunched

As for values, ICE (-3.06% to 119.76 dollars) and Nasdaq OMX (9.25% to 28.23 dollars) officially announced on Friday it had sent a joint offer for the acquisition of NYSE- Euronext (12.62% to 39.61 dollars) for $ 42.50 per share, paid in cash and stock, giving a total of about $ 11.3 billion (7.98 billion euros).This proposition therefore shows a premium of 19% over the offer from Deutsche Boerse.

Logitech (-18.81% to 14.72 dollars) unscrews. Yesterday, the technology group warned on its revenue and operating profit 2011.

Berkshire Hathaway (+0.04% to 83.66 dollars) should again be observed after the resignation of David Sokol, the most likely successor to Warren Buffett.

Office Depot (-9.07% to 4.21 dollars) will revise downward its results for fiscal 2010, due to a reduced tax credit of 80 million.

BP (3.44% to U.S. $ 45.66) enjoys a recommendation by JPMorgan.The broker believes that the title is "seriously downgraded," and reiterated his recommendation to "overweight" value.

Boeing (+0.07% to 73.98 dollars) on Friday confirmed an order for 15 737 aircraft made by compage Turkish Airlines for more than $ 1.2 billion based on list price. The aircraft manufacturer said that this order includes delivery of 10 737-800 and five 737-900ER.

Ford (1.68% to 15.16 dollars) overtook General Motors (4.45% to 32.41 U.S. dollars) in the U.S. car market with sales growth of 19.2% yoy month last 9.6% cons for GM. Chrysler saw its sales climb 31%.

The European debts go back under the yoke of rating agencies. Moody's has announced this Thursday morning having degraded by one notch the debt rating of Spain, who is now at "Aa2." The note could be further downgraded in the future, since the rating agency maintains a negative outlook on Spain. Moody's explained its decision by his doubts about the ability of Madrid to redress public finances, given the weak growth outlook for the country. Furthermore, measures to clean up the Spanish banking sector would cost more than expected and would increase the country's debt, according to the rating agency.

The Spanish economy minister has expressed his "differences" with the Moody's analysis on the cost of restructuring the banking sector.But Elena Salgado's statements should not prevent a new outbreak of foot on interest rates from Spain to climb again on Thursday, after reaching new levels yesterday, while those in Italy beyond the 5 %, the first since November and that the Portuguese rate stood at a level considered critical by analysts. On Wednesday, the interest rates paid by Lisbon ten years has exceeded 7.5%. And two-year bond were issued at an interest rate of nearly 6%, where the country was paying 4.09% in September, for the same maturity. Economists estimate that the refinancing conditions become difficult to bear for the country free instant credit score. Yet Portugal should emit at least 20 billion debt this year to finance its expenditures.Experts estimate that the country would be about to seek aid from Europe to solve its budget problems, despite repeated denials by the authorities.

A highly anticipated Eurogroup

"Portugal is in the financial and economic emergency," said last night the Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, in his inaugural speech. "The state funding continues to be abnormally high, which affects the functioning of the Portuguese financial system and our economy."

The Heads of State and Government of the eurozone, which meets tomorrow, should examine the situation in Portugal, says Reuters. The summit of the Eurogroup will focus on "economic policy measures that Portugal is to address its financial difficulties," said the Elysee.

The seventeen heads of state and government should also "discuss strengthening the coordination of national economic policies in the euro area." But many doubt that the summit came to an agreement.

ALSO READ:

"SPECIAL: Public debt, the threat of the post-crisis

"Euro area: a summit in the eye of the market