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.

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Announced in January, the IPO was expected Groupon. The figures that he has revealed in the record filed Thursday with the U.S. stock market authorities were much less. The website, which plans to raise $ 750 million in stock on a valuation estimated at between 15 and 20 billion dollars, in fact displays significant losses.

Created in November 2008 by Andrew Mason, a student of music, with one million dollars entrusted by entrepreneur Eric Lefkofsky, Groupon offers users to receive promotions from local businesses – florists, beauty salons … – provided that a specified number of Internet users subscribe to the offer. Over 83 million users have subscribed to the service. They were 1.8 million at end 2009. The turnover increased from 94,000 dollars in 2008 to 713,400,000 dollars in 2010.In 2011, revenues could exceed $ 2.4 billion. Growth driven by the acquisition of 13 companies, including Citydeal in Europe.

413 million loss

Groupon losses widen at a rate just as dramatically. In 2010, the net deficit of the site has reached 413 million dollars. For the first quarter of 2011, it already stands at nearly 114 million, says the briefing book. Abysmal losses that already raise doubts as to analysts who fear a new Internet bubble.Sucharita Mulpuru, e-commerce specialist at Forrester, and wondered how can one "lose so much money?" This is crazy with these numbers is that it should model extremely profitable, "he said The Wall Street Journal.

"Groupon has a very healthy business model, based on e-commerce, thus capable of generating cash," said Jonathan Besnaïou, co-founder of Oh My Deal, a site that aggregates and compares the offerings from its competitors and Groupon. "We must not forget that this is a service where the consumer pays first Groupon, which then pays the merchant on the one hand," he recalls.

If Groupon now displays such losses, it is because it invests heavily in customer acquisition – both businesses and users. The start-up business on account 3500 7000 employees worldwide.Considerable labor costs for a startup but can eventually turn into competitive advantage.

Another advantage of Groupon: the site has steadily expanded its offering – one coupon per day to more targeted deals, for example – to stick as closely to the needs of its users. His dedicated service to the mobile, Groupon Now, promises to be the next growth driver Groupon. Andrew Mason, the young CEO of the company, clearly displays the color in a statement of intent that reveals the very special culture Groupon: "As with any young company of 30 months, the road to success is strewn with pitfalls, punctuated moments of brilliance and sheer stupidity of others, "he wrote, convinced that" Groupon is better positioned than anyone to redefine the local business "and determined to focus on" a long term growth. "

Memory market on Friday, 13 has little impact on markets, even if Friday, October 13, 1989 took place a minikrach. In real estate, however some have difficulty leaving their superstition on the shelf.

The "Paraskevidékatriaphobia (phobia 13) deprives many American buildings 13th floor, and many palaces room or table 13. In the UK, according to a British website, Zoopla, an apartment of less than 300,000 euros, at number 13 of a street, would sell for an average of 4000 pounds (4593 euros) less than 12 or 14 .

The 13 does not however run the streets: 28% of UK streets do not payday loan no faxing. It has often been cleared between 11 and 15, or disguised in 11a. In Paris, there are not 13, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, since the Empress Eugenie decided. But when they exist, the numbers 13 are not cheaper than 15 or 11.

In Orpi or Féau is remembered buyers have waived a house not quite "feng shui", but not because of 13. Citing statistics, the Notaries of Paris confirms: "For the No. 13 tracks, there is no special discount. Parisians do not seem superstitious! "Neither the address nor the floor … in the Montparnasse tower does have a 13th.

In Greece, the good news is rare lately. The most indebted country in Europe would be out of recession in the first quarter of 2011, thanks to a rebound in activity of 0.8%, according to Eurostat and the Greek Authority statistics. A surprise, after a dip of 2.8% over the last three months of 2010, a figure significantly revised downward from earlier estimates of -1.6%.

"The resumption of growth in Greece is surprising: we expected the continuation of the recession," says Thibault Mercier, economist at BNP Paribas. "But that blip, probably driven by external trade, does not fundamentally change the situation: the austerity program has a strong impact on household consumption.Businesses can not borrow at very high rates and banks, whose health depends on the state of public finances, have limited access to liquidity. "Clearly, they can very easily give credit to their customers.

"The recession is it defeated?" Asks BNP Paribas. "Not really: the figures published so far do not provide details on the components of growth and numbers are often revised significantly after the first publication." These factors explain the downward revision by the European Commission's forecast Greek economy to the same Friday. It now expects a fall of 3.5% of the activity, against a fall of 3% previously envisaged. Accordingly, the government deficit is forecast at 9.5% of GDP, against 7.4% previously estimated.

The recovery is strengthening in the euro zone

Moreover, growth in the euro zone has more than doubled in the first quarter at +0.8% against +0.3% end of 2010, according to a first figure published by Eurostat.

It is true that several countries are still experiencing difficulties. Portugal has thus fallen into recession, with a contraction of 0.7% of GDP and the Italian economy has stagnated (+0.1%). Spain has recorded its share to a timid growth of 0.3%.

The average growth in the euro area was driven by the dynamism of its largest economies: France reported a surprise increase of its activity by 1%. Growth of 1.5% was even made by Germany!

The new prime minister, in power since last March, addresses the problem of unemployment, which remains the black spot in the Irish economy. Enda Kenny has presented on Wednesday a package of measures aimed at creating 100,000 jobs over four years.

The plan provides for reduced charges on low wages, a lower rate of VAT from 13.5% to 9% on some goods and services related to tourism to boost the sector and an increase in infrastructure spending for roads and schools. The government also wants to facilitate the upgrading of the unemployed through training programs.

Since 2008, hundreds of thousands of jobs have been destroyed under the impact of financial crisis, the bursting of the housing bubble, bank failures and austerity plans to repeat that the government had to place to contain soaring deficits and debt.In recent years, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed from 4% in 2007 to 14.7% today. The country is also facing an exodus of the population, especially young people, who try their luck in Canada or Australia. After the tutelage of the IMF and the EU, which granted in November a plan to help 85 billion euros in the country, the government faces a budget deficit of 32% of GDP, provides for a very narrow scope.

Rebound in exports

To finance this plan, Enda Kenny has decided to introduce a new tax – 0.6% – on pension funds, which should bring 470 million euros per year, totaling 1 instant credit report.9 billion euros . This has inevitably raised strong criticism in the profession. Growth side, the latest forecasts predict a return to the green this year, after three years of recession.The main institute in the situation, ESRI, reported Wednesday its forecast, anticipating a rise in GDP of 2% this year and 3% in 2012. A result that is nevertheless perspective, because this new dynamism "based entirely on exports," says ESRI report, given that domestic demand will fall further this year. Knowing that this rebound of external trade is linked to many multinationals operating in Ireland. Moreover, the GNP, which does not take into account their business will only grow 0.5% in 2011, according to ESRI.

Precisely for this reason that the Prime Minister does not intend to compromise with its European partners, who demand a higher rate, very attractive, the corporate tax (currently 12.5%) in exchange for a relaxation of the rescue plan negotiated by his predecessor, Brian Cowen."The Irish have made some overtures in that domain," says one good source, however, the French Ministry of Economy. Negotiations could therefore release in the coming weeks.

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In the light of an early meeting smashing, with the Dow Jones up more than 1%, the NYSE closed modestly in the green Friday. The Dow Jone gained 0.43% to 12,638.81 points. The Nasdaq index of technology stocks has taken its share 0.46%, to 2827.56 points.

The mood on Wall Street's opening, driven by the release of employment figures better than expected, has been tarnished by rumors from the euro area. Greece had indeed threatened to leave the eurozone, according to the German magazine Der Spiegel, citing sources close to the German government. A ifnormation quickly rejected by the major European capitals and in Greece itself.

U.S. stocks have opened sharply into the green on Friday, strongly supported by the publication at 14.30 good employment figures for the month of April.The Dow Jones advanced 1.10%, to 12,723.12 points and the Nasdaq by 1.09% to 2845.48 points.

Thursday for the third straight session, Wall Street had ended in retreat, investors are unpleasantly surprised by the rise in weekly jobless claims. The fall in commodity prices had also weighed on Wall Street and on most stock exchanges. Asian markets were down this morning.

Oil, for his part ended in the red, a barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery touching down to 97.18 dollars. In one week, falling 15%. This is the largest decline in weekly percentage terms since the week 19 December 2008 when prices fell by 26.8%.

The commodity index had plunged by 5% Friday, its heaviest correction since the 2008 financial crisis and one of the largest in its history.This violent decline in oil and metals weighs heavily on many sectors like oil and steel or producers.

On the foreign exchange market, the acceleration surprise hiring in the U.S. and the turmoil associated mainly in the euro zone have precipitated the rise of the dollar. After passing during the session under $ 1.45, a first for 10 days, the euro traded at 1.4341 shortly before 22.30, down 1.37%.

Kraft Foods profit down

Values ​​to follow

Kraft Foods 2.91% to 34.36 dollars

No. 2 worldwide agribusiness has announced a profit of 799 million dollars in the first quarter, down from $ 1.8 billion last year. The benefit was then boosted by asset sales. Turnover was up 11% to $ 12.6 billion. Organic growth was 4.5%.For 2011, the Group expects organic growth of 4%, against 5% previously announced, and a total growth between 11 and 13%.

Sara Lee: +0.99% to 19.47 dollars

In the same sector, Sara Lee announced a quarterly profit of $ 153 million, against a loss of 336 million last year due to exceptional items. Turnover was up 6.8% to $ 2.22 billion below the $ 2.23 billion expected. Gross margin was down to 33.2% against 37.6%. The group has raised its selling price by 3% on average and anticipates further increases over the next 6 months.

Visa: 0.58%, to 79.16 dollars

Visa has announced his side a 23% increase in profits in the first quarter to 881 million.Net banking income of 2.2 billion, up 15%, driven by higher payments to international and a positive currency effect of 2%. The main uncertainty for the group focuses on the reform sought by the Fed on the fees charged on payments. The new law could reduce the turnover of the group between 11% and 15% and earnings per share of 20%. In addition, the group announced a new share repurchase program of $ 1 billion.

AIG: 1.36%, to 31.21 dollars

The insurance group has achieved for its first quarter 2011 net income of 269 million dollars against 1.8 billion a year earlier.However, the insurer posted a loss of $ 0.35 per share against earnings per share of $ 2.66 last year following the redemption of shares held by the U.S. Treasury for $ 385 million and the additional cost of 427 million related to the redemption of preference shares.

CF Industries: 5.28% to 136.07 dollars

CF Industries announced for first quarter 2011 net income of $ 282 million after a deficit of 4.4 million last year.

Fluor Corporation: 7.27%, to 70.49 dollars

Fluor Corporation completed the first quarter 2011 net income of $ 140 million against 137 million last year.

Microchip Technology: 1.04%, to 40.96 dollars

Microchip Technology has reported for the fourth quarter of 2010/2011 with a consolidated turnover of 380 million up 37% year on year and net income from continuing operations of $ 131 million, up 72% over the year.

Priceline.com: -1.02% to 528.59 dollars

Priceline.com posted a net profit in the first quarter of $ 137 million, up 57% over one year, earnings per share $ 2.66 $ 2.44 against the dollar and 1.7 expected last year .The turnover amounted to 809 million, an increase of 38.5% over one year.

Public Storage: 0.61%, to 24.80 dollars

Public Storage has announced a net profit in the first quarter of $ 148 million against $ 35 million a year earlier.

Sunoco: 3.44%, to 41.44 dollars

Sunoco recorded a deficit of 101 million dollars in the first quarter against a deficit of 63 million last year. The board of directors also declared a quarterly dividend of $ 0.15 per share.

While the Arab riots continue, the World Bank has sounded the alarm. In Washington, facing the 24 countries that make up the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) responsible for setting broad policy guidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the institution said that "a worsening of conditions in the Middle East and North Africa could derail global growth. "

It considers in particular that "if oil prices were to rise sharply and permanently, whether due to growing uncertainty or a significant disruption of oil production, global growth could slow by 0.3 percentage point in 2011 and 1.2 points in 2012.The World Bank said that volatility in oil prices and agricultural products had been "even higher" than usual in recent weeks.

"Act Now"

The World Bank has, however, tried to reassure his interlocutors: currently, the impact is limited to local economies themselves. The revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt for example cut the growth of both countries about three percentage points in 2011, compared to what was planned three months ago. "The growth in Egypt and Tunisia should be about 2.5% and 1.5% respectively," says the Bank.A very inadequate compared to their population growth in a context of energy prices and food costs.

Internationally, the economic disruption, "if they remained at this stage, should have limited impact globally," said the World Bank payday loans. Its president Robert Zoellick, however, urged the international community to act now. "Wait until the situation stabilizes, it will lose opportunities," he said

The IMF on the alert

The signal seems to have been well received by IMFC. Its 24 members and confirm that "the immediate economic impact of developments in some Middle East and North Africa require particular attention."The cards are distributed: the World Bank's objective to "strengthen its support" in these two areas and the IMF's role to conduct "economic evaluation" for an "action plan".

"Of course we stand ready to assist, on the side of technical assistance and funding on the slope," assured the IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said at a news conference. "The example of the Middle East has highlighted this issue, the fact that you can have good numbers in terms of sustainability without growth," he added. Remarks relayed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner: "Today, the change underway in the Middle East calls for rethink and refocus the commitment of the international community.These transitions involve ultimately the people, increase their opportunities and their freedom. "

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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.

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Caution reigns at the Paris Stock Exchange on Friday. Several elements suggest because investors remain wary. Among them, the volatility of U.S. stock market Thursday after the publication of disappointing statistics, and bad mood operators in Asia following the deterioration of Japan's sovereign debt rating agency Standard & Poor's. These factors lead investors to focus on profit taking while the CAC 40 a chained up sessions this week.

Exchanges therefore start in the red, the benchmark index dropping 0.37% in Paris to 4044.56 points. Even moving to London where the FTSE lost 0.14% to 5956.98 points and in Frankfurt the Dax opened almost unchanged (-0.00%) at 7155.47 points.

Traders also expect several macroeconomic indicators of weight on Friday in the United States.Most importantly, unveiled at 14.30, is the first estimate of U.S. GDP in the fourth quarter of 2010. A little later, the second reading of the index of consumer sentiment for January will be unveiled.

On the currency markets, the euro has stabilized at 1.3723 dollars in morning trading.

Record turnover for JCDecaux

JCDecaux: 1.51% to 23.23 euros

The group reported a record turnover for 2010 to support organic growth more than its forecasts and the positive impact of acquisitions. The specialist in outdoor advertising has over 2010 registered a turnover of 2.35 billion euros, representing organic growth of 9.1% against 8.2% expected on average by analysts.

Areva: 1.32% to 36.40 euros

Nuclear giant posted a turnover up 6.7% in 2010, through its activities in the reactors.In late December, the backlog stood at 44.2 billion euros, up 2.0% year on year. In addition, AREVA will, in the second half of February, the President of the Republic, the list of candidates for a serie of Anne Lauvergeon, chief executive of Areva, whose term expires in June, write Friday Les Echos The Tribune and e. The supervisory board of the company must prepare the list, and has performed at the end of next week a first selection among potential candidates, Les Echos added. The Tribune, quoting a relative of one of the candidates, writing on his part that a preliminary list has already been established and shortlisted personalities were contacted in order to be heard in early February.

Beneteau: +0.37% to 16.46 euros

The world's leading manufacturer of yachts on Thursday unveiled details of his "Plan 2015", a five-year strategic plan that predicts a doubling of its turnover, thanks to conquer new markets.

Lafarge in sight

Vinci: -1.51% to 42.48 euros

The management said tackle 2011 with confidence after a year marked by a return to growth in sales stronger than expected and thanks to a backlog boosted by acquisitions.

Total: -0.40% to 43.04 euros

The oil group is looking for partners to explore the south-eastern France in search of shale gas, the newspaper reported Friday Echoes. The newspaper quotes an internal document sent to the companies likely to be interested and he said it had identified a site as "high potential".Total finds this opportunity in the shale gas "important and very significant." The title is also affected by the recommendation of Citigroup initiates coverage with a sell recommendation for a target price of 40 euros.

Lafarge: -0.80% to 44.63 euros

The group built a strong presence in Egypt, was harassed since the protests began calling for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

France Telecom: 0.12% to 16.17 euros

The group signed a syndicated loan of six billion euros in five years with 28 banks, to extend the maturity of its existing debt.

Latecoere: 4.21% to 8.92 euros

The group has an agreement with Boeing for the development and production of the 787 gates, the new long-haul U.S. manufacturer.

The British capital is she paralyzed the day of the eagerly awaited wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton? Concern mounts as the crew of British Airways (BA) is determined to resume the strike. On this first day of trading for International Airlines Group (IAG), the group merged airlines BA and Iberia, the clouds on the horizon pointing.

Since March 2010, British Airways is indeed rocked by strikes launched the appeal of its largest union, Unite. It opposes the abolition of one of the fifteen counts each long-haul flight and freezing wages. Tensions have subsequently focused on the management of the conflict itself, each side accusing the other of intimidation. The conflict has already cost 150 million pounds (about 180 million euros) to the airline, according to British newspaper The Independent.

Unite organized a vote until Jan. 21 about the resumption of the strike. Among the 75% of members who participated in the poll, 78.5% of them voted in favor of continuing the strike. At the head of the union, Len McCluskey said that by this vote, the BA staff expressed for the fourth time in 13 months, "his dissatisfaction with management methods."

"Do not travel"

Although no date has been officially set, the eyes are towards the end of April. Between two long weekends (Easter and 1 May), the royal wedding day, April 29, was declared a holiday. A boon for British holidaymakers.This time she will be chosen to support the claims of the BA staff? Len McCluskey refused to confirm these assumptions, while sliding to the British "do not travel," a council that speaks volumes about the intentions of the union online payday loans.

For its part, the management of British Airways has responded by pointing out that only 43% of the crew had voted to strike and they were less numerous than in previous votes.

According to The Independent, even if the strike continued, the airline will be able to ensure all flights from Gatwick and London City and all long-haul flights from Heathrow.

The Tube also slowed

Another strike threat is already present on the "Big Day" by Kate Middleton. The Tube, London Underground, also known repeated strikes in recent months.The drivers are protesting against the removal of at least 800 jobs and require a tripling of pay and a day of recovery for those who must work on a holiday.

The tube had already rolled in slow motion on December 26 called Boxing Day in the UK and first day of Sale. Each day strike on the London Underground would cost 50 million pounds (58.5 million euros) per day to the UK economy according to The Telegraph.

The secretary general of the union ASLEF, Keith Norman, was cautious about the possibility of a new day of action on April 29, saying it was too early to tell, according to the Daily Mail. The management of London Underground has also assured that the service would be provided the big day between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, the route that the procession of bride and groom.