International News

Earlier this week optimistic the New York Stock Exchange. On Monday in early trade, the Dow Jones gained 1.84% to 11,016.24 points while the Nasdaq index jumped 2.15% to 2392.20 points. This return comes in the green after a further sharp fall on Wall Street last Friday. Oil has also opened up, earning $ 1.92 after opening at 84.10 dollars a barrel.

No major statistical date to worry about Wall Street, while European markets are more focused since Monday morning. As for U.S. data, only the index of manufacturing activity in the Chicago Fed was on the agenda. Stood at -0.06 in July, against -0.38 in June. "The index shows no tendency to a looming recession, observes Philippe Waechter, director of economic research at Natixis AM.However, other surveys conducted in August are troubling. "

But it will wait until Tuesday to learn more, with the publication of sales figures for new homes, from 16 hours. Wednesday, the agenda will grow a bit, with durable goods orders for July and the weekly inventory of crude oil to the United States.Thursday, things become more serious with the weekly jobless claims, always eagerly awaited by investors on the lookout for any sign of weakness, or, conversely, improvement in U.S. growth.

Threats to U.S. growth

But the appointment will most certainly expected the intervention, Friday, Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve (Fed), some investors are hoping a third easing able to restart the engine stopped the world's largest economy.This day will be both detailed, the second estimate of U.S. gross domestic product for the second quarter, and the index of consumer confidence for August.

Markets, even if they are experiencing very high volatility, and may still show, at the same time, some caution, pending the decision of the Fed on Friday. Especially as the threats to the outlook for U.S. growth accumulates. After Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase lowered its estimates, in turn, growth in the U.S. economy. The Bank of New York discusses risk "clearly raised" a recession, while growth prospects for the third quarter are for their slightly smaller than before pay day loans.The U.S. GDP growth for the fourth calendar quarter is now expected at a rate of 1%, against 2.5% previously.

Vice President Joe Biden, on an official visit to China, but probably a little appeased the spirits, reaffirming this weekend at the first creditors of the country they could rely on the strength of the U.S. Treasury.

Values ​​to follow

The uncertainty is compounded room at the international level, by the events in Libya. The fall of Colonel Qaddafi, found, became clearer Monday morning, prompting oil companies to return to the values ​​of the colors. However, perhaps more in Europe than the United States. Although they are not active in Libya, Chevron (1.79% to 94.95 dollars) and ExxonMobil (1.66% to 70.96 dollars) respond positively to the opening, rising oil prices in New York.

On the corporate side, the internet telephony group Skype also announced Sunday an agreement to acquire Me Group, a provider of mobile messaging services to targeted groups. Registered in Luxembourg, the company Skype was founded in 2003 and became the world leader in Internet telephony. She is currently being acquired by Microsoft U.S. computer group (0.89% to 24.20 dollars).

Apple (1.22% to 360.58 dollars) takes advantage of the rumors about the implementation of its pre-production soon iPad 3 October.The Wall Street Journal says in effect this morning as the group prepares its suppliers with the necessary logistics, to produce 1.5 million units in the fourth quarter.

In addition, Dollar Thrifty Group Antomotive asked Hertz rental companies (1.03% to 9.81 dollars) and Avis Budget (2.50% to 11.92 dollars) in early October to submit their final proposals on reconciliation activities.

Verizon (1.15% to 35.11 dollars) on his side ended a social movement and Hewlett-Packard takes up 6.34% to 25.12 dollars after losing 20% ​​of its stock value at the end of last week. He took advantage of presenting a new model of high-end PC, after announcing Thursday the sale of its computer manufacturing.

Faced with rumors that shook markets extremely volatile last week and some bank stocks are falling, the stock market authorities are seeking a European risposta. Thursday night market regulators in Brussels, Madrid, Paris and Rome have announced a ban on short selling, which takes effect this Friday, for at least 15 days.

Short sales are a complex and risky speculative practice, which involves, initially, borrow securities (eg 10 euros) which anticipates the decline. Then sell it. And finally to buy it when its being dropped (8 euros). By selling what he had not yet acquired by the speculator has pocketed a gain of 2 euros.

This practice is alleged to amplify the declines of the securities markets. Its prohibition is routinely considered during financial crises."Short sales are trading strategies consistent with the rules but they become abusive when they are clearly associated with large and false market rumors," said ESMA, the European regulator of financial markets in a statement.

Eleven French values ​​involved

In France, the AMF has decided to ban short selling of eleven financial stocks which were particularly severe on the stock market due to rumors about the health of the banking sector guaranteed payday loan. Societe Generale is one of them: the bank has seen its price falls by 15% Wednesday due to a rumor of a false information about a bank failure in the British tabloid Mail on Sunday.Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas are also among the financials involved.

"We deal in various European countries to rumors that are unfounded," noted the president of the AMF. "These rumors can amount to market abuse", by which the MFA refers to price manipulation and insider trading. Finance Minister Baroin has in turn welcomed the decision of the AMF.

In France as in Spain and Italy, the ban is valid for 15 days and may be renewed. In Belgium, where naked short sales (where the investor does not own the loan) were already banned, the new ban is enforced for a period inderterminée.It concerns four titles: KBC Ancora, Dexia and Aegas.

The Dutch financial markets regulator AFM, meanwhile, said he saw no need to ban short sales on the exchanges of Amsterdam.

The White House on Saturday called for the unity of the Democratic and Republican parties to restore the economic and budgetary situation of the United States, after the degradation for the first time in their history of "AAA" rating. "We must do better to show our willingness, our ability and commitment to work together to address the economic and budgetary challenges," said the spokesman for the White House, Jay Carney, in a statement.

Shortly before, the only official reaction came from the Treasury and was terse: "an appreciation vitiated by an error of 2000 billion dollars speaks for itself." This release has illustrated the high tensions between the administration occurred Friday Obama and the rating agency Standard and Poor's, crystallized around a miscalculation of 2000 billion.

As tradition dictates, S & P has informed earlier this afternoon the Treasury's decision before making it public. This is usually an opportunity for the government to point out any factual errors. At this meeting, U.S. officials soon discover that the projections of S & P over ten years the budget deficit and public debt do not coincide with the figures of the executive, from the work of the Office of Congressional Budget (CBO).The U.S. public debt stood at 93% of GDP in 2021 instead of the expected 85%, a difference of two trillion dollars.

Standard and Poor's emphasizes the "political risks"

Faced with protests from the government, the rating agency starts with defense. She claims to be part of the work of the CBO, a retaining projection "alternative" of government spending, considered more realistic. After discussions, however, she agrees to return to the initial forecasts. The Treasury advised her to give himself time to review the numbers cold.

Far from judging, Standard and Poor's does not reverse its decision to lower the rating of the United States to "AA +" with 'Negative' outlook. The agency submits a new version of its release to focus on "political risks" to see the country taking insufficient measures against its budget deficit payday loan lenders.In another statement released at night, she explained that the correction of the error has changed only marginally forecasts of debt in 3 to 5 years to come, "decisive" for its decision. "This is a technical error, no serious consequences," says one within the agency.

According to S & P, the political debate on these issues in the United States is indeed not up to the problems caused by a debt of more than 14,500 billion.According to a U.S. government source quoted by CNBC, this episode proves that the decision by Standard and Poor's was taken regardless of the numbers, while revised data showed that the deficit would be sustainable over the next ten years.

"Latest victim of the failure of Obama's economic"

The rating agency had in fact warned in mid-July the Obama administration she wanted a deficit reduction of 4 trillion dollars over ten years to maintain the triple-A, instead of hard-won 2.1 trillion. John Chambers, President of the Evaluation Committee of S & P, also found on CNN that Washington could have prevented the lowering of the notes within the ceiling as soon as the statutory debt.He said the responsibilities were shared by the Administration and Obama, but also "the previous administration."

The political reaction in Washington have shown just block pointed to by S & P. Mitt Romney, candidate for the Republican primary for the 2012 presidential election, has described the downgrade of American "latest victim of the failure of Obama's economic" and the Republican president the House of Representatives "consequence of uncontrolled spending in Washington in recent decades."The Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid, has instead called for "a balanced approach to deficit reduction," with lower costs but also increases targeted taxes, it rejected the Republicans, under pressure ultra-conservative "tea parties" in the recent discussions on the debt.

(With branches)

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The day promises to be very difficult for Societe Generale. The bank released Wednesday morning of the second quarter results affected by Greece, which do not allow it to maintain its forecast for 2011 as a whole.

Indeed, the net profit of Société Générale for the period April to June won by 31% over the same period last year to 747 million euros, due to increased depreciation on Greek government securities of 395 million euros. For his patron, Frederick Oudéa, depreciation Greek "a limited impact, as expected." Note that its rivals Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas have seen the note Greek respectively amount to 850 million and 650 millions of euros. Besides this exceptional item, net income of the bank was in line with analysts' expectations.If the net banking income (equivalent to sales) reached 6.5 billion euros (-2.6%), the net cost of risk has, himself, enjoyed 17.3% year on year.

"While the moderate recovery in developed economies has been confirmed in the second quarter, growing concerns about the European sovereign debt have caused risk aversion and erratic market movements, at the discretion of the political" summarizes the bank in a statement check cash advance.

Still, Societe Generale now seems to give up its goal of net profit of 6 billion euros in 2012, as the group had announced last June as part of its strategic plan called "Ambition 2015" according to CEO the objective "now seems difficult to achieve on time."

In terms of capital ratios, Societe Generale will toe the line: as required by the new regulatory framework for banks known as Basel III, which will be phased in from 2013 and requires banks a capital ratio of hard 7%, the bank expects to achieve an equity ratio of "hard" at least 9% in late 2013.Thus, if the extra layer of 1 to 2.5 percentage points, asked for schools called systemic, that is, those whose failure would threaten to destabilize the entire financial system-was claimed to Societe Generale, the obligations could be met.

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Two world champions, yet two totally separate financial realities. This is the observation made on Tuesday after Camille Lacourt Stravius ​​and Jeremy have jointly won the gold medal in 100 meter backstroke in Shanghai (China).

The first saw its revenues increased more than sixteen in less than a year with new advertising contracts. 42,000 euros per year in August 2010, Camille Lacourt thus rose to 700,000 euros, much of which end of advertising contracts. Jeremy Stravius, it has at present still no agent and a single sponsor, Tyr, obtained through the French Federation of Swimming.

Thanks to a physique, Camille Lacourt has attracted luxury brands like Clarins and beauty, and earns 200,000 euros a year for six years, and Chanel, which pays 70,000 euros a year to wear its watches. But not only.These three gold medals taken down on three different disciplines at the European Championships in 2010 convinced the sponsors to leverage the rising value of swimming. This choice is paying now. "We have no logic, because the muse is the star product, it says Clarins. Such a partnership is a new and unusual practice for us. It's Camille Lacourt who came to us. President Christian Courtin had a crush on the athlete who shared our family values. It has in fact explained that her grandmother was attached to our products payday advance low fees. It has become our first ambassador. What we do not regret today. "

Banking on new talent to one year of the Olympics 2012

A speech that could also take Tyre, the last date of the associate sponsor of the club swimmers Marseille.Last June, the U.S. supplier has signed with him a three-year contract for a minimum of 80,000 euros per year. This amount could go up to 150,000 euros.

The gap is large with Jeremy Stravius ​​which according to our information, does not own advertising contract. But in the basin of Shanghai, the swimmer's club has yet matched the Amiens time Camille Lacourt, which is considered as one of the specialists in the discipline. Jeremy Stravius ​​therefore affect the same amount as for this fellow gold medal.

Amiens and the swimmer is reassuring: the current situation is reminiscent of Camille Lacourt a year ago, before it exploded and sports media to the general public.As long as Jeremy Stravius ​​this week confirmed its performance on other distances, it is not inconceivable that a brand can be associated with his image, in just one year of London Olympics in 2012.

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Thursday milestone for the general construction equipment from France in optical fiber, the network of the future which must provide high-speed Internet to homes and replace the old telephone network today. France Telecom offers to all competitors who wish to offer access to its future fiber optic network in sparsely populated areas, with the possibility of co-financing. He has published Tuesday offers a very detailed in this direction. And it seems to do so fair play as Free immediately signed a co-financing rates ruling "economically reasonable".

After roaming agreement on 3G mobile, the partnership of the fiber is the second major agreement signed between France Telecom and Free in the space of a few months. But the incumbent would also be discussion of the fiber with SFR and Bouygues Telecom.This agreement will give a boost to fiber deployment in France, whose government is a priority. "What are the different actors as their strength together and avoid a dispersion of investment is really a giant step, which launches the real start of the top fiber," said Pierre Louette, secretary general of France Telecom.

If the number of Internet subscribers high-speed barely reaches 150 000 in late June, Nicolas Sarkozy has set a target coverage of 100% of the country with broadband by 2020. In the heart of major cities, very densely populated areas and therefore profitable, Orange, SFR and Free deploy each with its own fiber network. But the issue is acute in areas less dense. France Telecom's offer and provide an initial response to the many local officials who want high-speed on their territory.

Sixty cities

In concrete terms, with the agreement signed between France Telecom and Free the cities of Dijon, Brest, Reims, Le Havre, the community of loops of the Seine around Chatou near Paris, some sixty in total, representing 1,300 Public and 5 million homes will be equipped from 2011 to 2012. France Telecom will deploy its network and will own in the end. But competitors can participate in the financing and get strong trading network usage. "It's very flexible. Our competitors can buy access rights for every 5%. They are true indefeasible rights of use, kind of very long-term concessions, renewable, and can assimilate into their investment accounts, "said Yves Parfait, program director at France Telecom fiber.Since France Telecom agrees to work with its competitors, exit the idea of ​​a centralized national structure "Fibre France" imagined by some. "This fantasy of a national operator vanishes," said Pierre Louette.

The agreement validates the framework established by the regulator (Arcep) and meet in Brussels considered it too little binding. "The framework adopted in France is good, since it works, that France Telecom did what was expected of her and it avoids wasting public money," says Pierre Louette.

In total, France Telecom will invest 2 billion euros by 2015 in deploying fiber. It has covered 3600 and communes, 3440 outside the areas dense. It aims to cover 10 million households in 2015 and 15 million in 2020, nearly 60% of French households.

Tenders for the smart grid and waste recovery, today announced the first six institutes of technology and equipment of the first wave of excellence, creation of national fund boot which will have 400 million to invest in young innovative companies … Just in recent days, the operations related to the investment program for the future have not failed! And it lasts for eighteen months …

The program, which must prepare "the France of tomorrow" will be the subject of the press conference of head of state this morning. "Nicolas Sarkozy is that this topic is important and can not talk enough about this initiative should restore the competitiveness of France," said his entourage. Yet René Ricol leads to the rod.Appointed commissioner-general for investment to drive the program, the former ombudsman of credit has one goal in mind: to create wealth and employment in France over time.

In December 2009, Nicolas Sarkozy set the priorities for the future supported by the large loan. Following the recommendations of the report Rocard-Juppe, he announced 35 billion euros of investment and ultimately rejected the idea of ​​a popular loan – a form of financing too costly at a time when the debt of France is under the eye markets. Five priorities were identified: higher education and training, research, industry and SME development and finally digital. Today, all 35 billion euros is in the hands of the public operators (ADEME, OSEO, the CDC …) that are responsible for distributing the money.

Executives more optimistic about the market environment of the job, but more demanding in their career development and wages. These are the two main lessons of the seventh wave of the barometer Ifop / Cadremploi on the frames and the labor market, to be published tomorrow. For the first time since June 2008, executives are optimistic about the economic developments in employment (56% against 49% last December). Nearly three-quarters also have a positive opinion about their own jobs (72%).

This generally favorable decision must be relativized by two elements identified by the barometer Ifop / Cadremploi: a sense of degradation of working conditions and wage increases perceived as inadequate.And 54% of executives believe the work environment deteriorated and are as likely to be called "strained" relations with their superiors (43% against 29% who disagree). More importantly, 72% of executives still observe an increase in their workload and 69% said the emphasis on productivity increases.

Salaries disappointing

Hand wages, although the proportion of executives who received an increase earlier this year was up 5 points from December 2010 (39% against 34%), they are well below what they expected. 69% of managers have been increased, have been less than 4%. "There is a correlation between the increase seen in 2011 and the level of executive compensation," said the barometer Ifop / Cadremploi. Executives receiving more than 50 000 euros have seen their exceed 4% increase quick guaranteed personal loans.Moreover, nearly one in five executives saw their work is valued through missions or additional responsibilities or most interesting (17%) or by the granting of benefits in kind (16%) or by further consideration (15%) to compensate for the absence or the low pay increase.

Not surprising in these conditions that improved wages still awaiting the first frames: they are now 62% want to earn more, or three points since December 2010. This is the highest level since the first wave of the barometer in June 2008.

Cap on executive pay

To win better wages the French no longer hesitate to look elsewhere and to change employers. "Almost four in ten business (39%) are willing to change companies, an increase of 7 points in one year," said Cadremploi.Also 31% of respondents said "consider a change of occupation and / or business." What do they expect wage increases of mobility? "18% on average" …

Executives, who feel that their leaders do not quickly enough to loosen the purse strings, will also show severe levels of remuneration of top managers. They are in favor of a limitation of the latter, "more than one part in two (52%) say that leaders should receive an amount less than 250,000 euros" is the barometer Ifop / Cadremploi. Compensation deemed "acceptable" is averaging 386,641 euros.

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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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U.S. exchanges to raise. After closing sharply lower Monday, Wall Street opens on Monday, up slightly Tuesday. The Dow Jones gained 0.12% and the Nasdaq rose 0.22%.

Before the publication of the results tonight Yahoo and Intel, the return to stock market indices through better than expected corporate earnings and renewed housing construction in March.Housing starts rose 7.2% and building permits by 11.2%.

The day after lowering the outlook on the U.S. debt by Standard and Poor's, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the country was "in a much stronger position (than other countries) to deal with its difficulties. "

Oil prices continue to fall Tuesday in the opening exchanges in New York, as investors questioned the impact of high prices on demand.In early afternoon on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of light sweet crude for May delivery traded at 106.25 dollars, down 87 cents from the previous day.

Citigroup: 0.90% to 4.46 dollars

Citigroup announced Tuesday that he gradually got rid of a portfolio of 12.7 billion dollars of toxic assets account for a large portion of its losses during the crisis in order to mitigate the anticipated effects of the implementation establish rules of Basel III.

Johnson & Johnson 2.98% to 62.26 dollars

Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday net profit down 23% to $ 3.47 billion for the first quarter but remained higher than expected (3.2 billion dollars). Turnover, up 3.5% to $ 16.2 billion, also exceeded expectations (15.83 billion U.S. dollars).The group raised its forecast for annual earnings per share, taking it to a range of 4.90 to 5 dollars, against a previous range of 4.80 to 4.90 dollars and a forecast of analysts of 4.83 dollars.

NYSE Euronext: 1.17% to 38.77 dollars

Nasdaq OMX stock exchange operators and IntercontinentalExchange noted Tuesday their proposed purchase of NYSE Euronext board of directors of the places in New York and Paris payday loan.

State Street: 2.08% to 45.60 dollars

State Street issued on Tuesday a quarterly operating profit rose to 444 million, or 88 cents per share, slightly above the consensus.

General Motors: -1.33% to 29.57 dollars

The U.S. Treasury could sell much of 33% of shares he still owns stake in General Motors this summer or fall, according to a source familiar with the matter.Neither the timing nor the size of the sale, however, have yet been determined.

Goldman Sachs: -0.42% to 153.14 dollars

Goldman Sachs announced Tuesday a 72% decline in earnings in the first quarter compared to last year to 908 million. Analysts expected a profit of about $ 477 million. The turnover of the bank stood at $ 11.9 billion in the quarter, down 7% year on year but higher than the 10.2 billion expected by analysts.

Bank of New York: -1.78% to 28.68 dollars

Bank of New York reported Tuesday in a 4% rise in quarterly profit to 625 million, supported by higher asset management revenues and commissions.

Seagate Technology: -2.91% to 17.32 dollars

Seagate Technology will buy the operations of disk drives from Samsung Electronics for $ 1.4 billion in cash and stock, said on Tuesday South Korean group.

Texas Instruments: -0.98% to 34.45 dollars

Texas Instruments on Monday announced a quarterly profit slightly below expectations. The first quarter earnings rose to $ 666 million, or 55 cents per share, against $ 658 million and 52 cents a year earlier.

Harley Davidson: -1.68% to 39.04 dollars

Harley Davidson reported earnings per share of $ 0.51 in the first quarter, below the consensus at $ 0.53. The group recorded quarterly revenue of 1.06 billion euros, against 1.05 billion expected.