World News – International Headlines, Stories

One after the other, the candidates for the resumption of the World out of the wood. After the unexpected arrival of Orange Tuesday night, Wednesday was the turn of the Spanish group Prisa, a faithful shareholder of the World, which holds 15.01% stake, confirmed its commitment to the French press group after several weeks of silence. In a letter to members of the Supervisory Board and Executive Board and World unveiled by Les Echos, CEO Juan Luis Cebrian, "reaffirms" the "intent to participate alone or with industry partners internationally renowned for recapitalization "of the group. But the Spanish boss believes that "only a thorough audit of the group may enable candidates to refine the position estimate needs to recapitalize the World. And therefore request the postponement of the deadline to Friday, 19 hours to lay a firm offer of recovery.

"A reasonable period until the end of September, should be open to all candidates currently being declared or declare themselves to deepen their audits, discussions with management of group and set them in a position to file ( …) a firm offer, "says the CEO. The group Prisa, which is currently in debt of more than 3 billion is currently carrying out a recapitalization. To save time, Juan Luis Cebrian calls for "reimbursable advances to meet" the urgent need of cash to its World recapitalization.

The World available in the morning

This has to speak, of course, nothing trivial. It comes the same day of the deadline set by the board of the World Bank, Crédit Agricole CIB to candidates to file their préoffres.Without really préoffre, Prisa boss makes it clear his intentions for Le Monde that he wanted to "expand the supply" and "give it to read every day, morning, Monday to Sunday, basing on synergies between the titles of his group (El Pais, head).

At the same time, the trio led by the businessman Matthew Pigasse, Niel and PBA filed a letter of intent listing his commitments and his plans for the group (recapitalization of 80 to 100 million euros charter governance, creation of an ethics committee …). Highly anticipated also a group préoffre Nouvel Observateur had to be filed Wednesday in the day. Is it backed by a partner like Orange, as seemed to think the discussions initiated between the two groups on Tuesday? It was difficult to see clear Wednesday.Alongside its general assembly, the new CEO of Orange, Stéphane Richard, has explained his plan to enter the capital of the world. "Some candidates have asked to be a minority partner, it is not a takeover," he said. This partnership would make sense in his eyes as if the result is "mutual benefits" for both groups. "The Orange could accompany the transition to Digital World", focusing on the Internet subsidiary of the group, Le Monde Interactif.

If Orange confirms his love for Le Monde, other applicants have chosen them to withdraw from the race. After the Swiss group Ringier Tuesday morning, the Italian group L'Espresso has officially given up yesterday to make a takeover bid of the group.

ALSO READ:

"Orange World takeover candidate

More rigor. The message sent by the rating agency Fitch to the new British government is clear: "the magnitude of the fiscal challenge is formidable United Kingdom and justifies a strong austerity plan in the medium term." For, if London enjoys a triple-A thanks to its economy "diverse and flexible, its deficit is growing at a pace well above that of other countries enjoying the same note, the agency warns. It reached 11.1% of gross domestic product (GDP).

"The existing plans are not ambitious enough," Judge Fitch, who still welcomes the willingness of the new Liberal-Conservative coalition to act very quickly. Even in London announced new austerity measures amounting to 0.4% of GDP in the form of budget cuts.

Under a new emergency budget to be presented June 22, the government should adopt targets for reducing the deficit more ambitious, Fitch recommends. The new conservative prime minister has already promised gold and years of "suffering" the British people.

"While other European countries are strengthening their plans and rigor that markets are concerned about the sovereign risk in developed countries, the size of the UK deficit is currently estimated for 2011 and failure to return to the 3% deficit the next five years are worrisome, "Fitch alarmed.

The U.S. stock market, expected to open down on Monday. The index futures Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 fell back in effect respectively from 0.41% to 1061.50 points and 0.50% to 1830.10 points. On Friday, the NYSE has dropped to its lowest level in four months, cooled by the monthly figures of employment in the United States, although less well than expected. The Dow Jones lost 3.16% and the Nasdaq 3.64%. Stock markets in the Asia-Pacific fell sharply on Monday and European markets grind black.

The U.S. economy created 431,000 more jobs than it destroyed in May This is the highest figure since March 2000, but analysts had expected much better. They expected a half-million net new jobs created.The private sector created only 41,000 jobs, five times less than the previous month.

In Europe, a new front in the crisis began in Hungary, where the forint, the local currency, the Budapest Stock Exchange, and covers the failure of Hungarian debt (CDS, credit default swap) tumbled after statements alarmist about the economic situation of the country by the hand of politicians from the majority in place.

On the foreign exchange market, the European single currency settled below $ 1.20 and was trading at 1.1937 dollar in the morning, 1.1972 against the dollar Friday.It fell to 1.1877 dollar in Asian trade, a level not seen since March 2006.

After the disappointment of Friday on the job figures, investors should pay particular attention this week to weekly figures for unemployment benefits that are to be released Thursday easy pay day loans.Among the major events of macroeconomic week, the Beige Book Federal Reserve will be released Wednesday, and on weekends the market will face a survey about the mood of consumers.

On the side of values, the largest U.S. bank, Bank of America, is carried on by former employees for not paying them overtime, according to the text of the complaint partnership.

Exxon Mobil announced that it is negotiating with Chinese oil companies to forge partnerships in China and other countries, said on Monday an official of the U.S. oil giant.

The world of pharmacy, Pfizer announced Saturday that advanced clinical testing showed that the drug Macugen greatly improves vision in patients with diabetic macular edema, a complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness.

Always on the side of values, Standard & Poor's announced Friday it has lowered its rating a notch on the long-term debt of BP, referring to the cost of oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the operational challenges the oil group UK will face. The rating agency, imitating its rivals Moody's and Fitch have announced a reduction on their score on Thursday reduced its rating from AA to AA-with negative implications.

Also note, the retail giant Wal-Mart says it wants to create 500,000 jobs over the next five years and will repurchase $ 15 billion worth of its own shares.

The retirement of Jean-Louis Beffa has lasted twenty-four hours. The historical pattern of Saint-Gobain – who left Thursday's general meeting president's cap with his dauphin Pierre-Andre de Chalendar – yesterday signed a contract "senior advisor" at Lazard.

As such, Jean-Louis Beffa will in particular industrial experience and knowledge of international markets, including emerging markets, where her counterparts at the head of companies are increasingly likely to want to make mergers and acquisitions .

Change jobs – even if only for one quarter of his time – has clearly seduced Jean-Louis Beffa, however, familiar with the bank to have attended countless presentations in twenty years at Saint-Gobain , much of which led him to make acquisitions pay day loan lenders.

During this period, also primarily by Lazard and BNP Paribas that it was supported. For Lazard, the appointment of a senior advisor of the profile is rather rare. According to the CEO of Lazard France, Bruno Roger, it comes as the bank just full advantage of the success of his model, and its strong presence abroad.

ALSO READ:

"Saint-Gobain: Chalendar" proud "to replace Beffa

Brussels puts its nose in one of the most sensational divorces industrial center stage in Europe: Barroso Commission on Wednesday announced the launch of an accelerated procedure against the French Areva and German Siemens for infringement of competition law. This decision confirms the information published as early as Tuesday evening by Le Figaro.

In this case, it is the folder Areva NP, the ex-Framatome, owned 35% by Siemens and 65% by Areva. The German group announced in early 2008 its decision to exit the venture, after several years of fruitful cooperation.

Areva has taken note of this decision but said that Siemens was unable to compete with it for several years because of an agreement signed between both parties. And it is this clause that Siemens is trying to quash the Commission.A clause also crucial for the French group that tries to turn the cash in order to lower the purchase price of 35%.

Addressing what looks like a cartel, while the separation between the two European giants of nuclear consumed is therefore paradoxical only in appearance. Siemens, unable to compete with its former French partner by one of the clauses of the marriage contract of 2001, seeks in effect to part of a last thread to the leg. Moreover, the German group discreetly that he looks forward to the debut of the Commission.

The shareholders agreement signed in honeymoon Franco-German, January 30, 2001, has never been made public.The clause that is now the competition commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, evoked precisely the scenario of a separation for at least eight years after the divorce, it prohibits Siemens rival Areva to come on the market for nuclear reactors, according to one of the parties in conflict.

Partnership with Rosatom

The decision by Joaquin Almunia opens investigation against "violations" of sections 101 and 102 of the Treaty of Lisbon by Areva SA, Siemens AG and their subsidiary Areva NP. The procedure "does not mean that there are strict proof" of infringement of competition law, but simply that the case will be handled on a priority basis, according to the draft obtained by Le Figaro.

The non-competition, held by Areva and Siemens today denounced, no objection was raised in 2001 during the passage of the shareholders before the European authorities.Has it been so deliberately ignored? Or added a posteriori? In any case, it returns to haunt the two partners.

And because it prohibits the German group to realize its nuclear partnership with the Russian company Rosatom. Siemens announced March 3 – with the blessing of Vladimir Putin – the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a joint venture with the public group. It is developing the technology Russian pressurized water reactors. This alliance has created a noisy side reaction of Areva, which has denounced "a unilateral breach of contractual obligations" by the German group.

Beyond the bitterness born of a failed marriage, is a cut-throat competition looming on one of the most lucrative markets for decades to come: that of civilian nuclear reactors, each of the two firms in tens of units.Unless he can get Brussels to outright cancellation of the disputed clause, Siemens would like to see at least his initial handicap reduced by several years.

That complex is more of a rebound near. While Siemens sentence actually formalized its alliance with Rosatom – the German press has recently indicated that there would be no breakthrough until 2011 – and rumors have circulated about a possible return behind the German group. So a partnership with Areva reactivated.But recent developments in Brussels show that this scheme will be hard to reappear.

ALSO READ:

"Areva-Siemens accepted in Slovakia

"Areva and Siemens are struggling to divorce

More than 2 billion euros

How is the participation of Siemens in Areva NP? Estimates are circulating that the French group will put on the table between two billion and 2.5 billion euros. To agree on the amount of the transaction, both groups have appointed an independent expert. No timetable has been set officially, but the findings should be made before the end of 2010. Meanwhile, Areva has singularly need to restore its financial leeway.

For the period 2008-2012, Miss nuclear group has estimated its investment needs about 6.5 billion euros.While a capital increase is planned – up to 15%, through three foreign partners – but the government delayed giving the green light.

The oil found 70 dollars

Optimism returns on oil markets. On Thursday, oil prices have ended on a 4% rise to 74.55 dollars in New York, gaining 8% in two sessions. The $ 70 threshold was crossed on the rise Monday and picked up the rebound Wednesday. That day, Brent took $ 2.15 (3.09%) to 71.70 dollars, ending a run of nine consecutive sessions of declines.

"The market has received a good dose of optimism," said Phil Flynn of PFG Best Research. "It was time, prices had fallen by 87-65 dollars." For Ellis Eckland, an independent analyst, "it is a rebound in the wake of the stock markets. People are more optimistic about the fact that the euro will not collapse and less frightened about the economy. " Another factor supporting prices: the six-month extension of the moratorium on offshore oil drilling decided by Barack Obama."The United States derive a third of their crude production offshore drilling if we do drill more, this production may simply disappear", said Ellis Eckland.

But the week was also marked by a one-time relapse occurred below 70 dollars Tuesday. Investors, troubled by geopolitical tensions between the two Koreas, suffered a renewed concerns about the pace of global recovery.

If the courts now seem to settle in the range of 70-75 dollars, the volatility is always present. Especially as the U.S. Agency for Energy Information (EIA) announced that crude oil reserves rose 2.4 million barrels to 365.1 million, exceeding their year's level last at the same time.Economists on average had expected an increase of 200,000 barrels only.

Tuesday, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Sabah, said he was "not yet" worried by the decline in crude prices. If no emergency meeting of OPEC is scheduled, the oraganisation plans to "call for more respect of production quotas.

Note that oil prices have tumbled more than 20% since the beginning of the month.

Base metals: purchases restart

Prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have started to increase last week on the basis of a wave of buying on the cheap. The increase was frankly started Thursday, following the easing of world stock markets after China denied its intention to reduce the share of its assets in euros.The euro strengthened against the dollar, making them more attractive purchases of raw materials with the U.S. currency.

Copper prices have soared to 7,043 dollars per tonne on Friday, a level last seen two weeks. The aluminum prices reached 2,086 dollars per tonne on Friday, their highest in two weeks. Lead, nickel and zinc gained respectively 0.6%, 1.8% and 3.4% payday loans online.

However, caution remains the watchword. The price volatility is high as evidenced by the slowing of the rebound Friday after the publication of consumer spending by American households down in April after six consecutive months of increases. Overproduction of copper in Chile and increased reserves of aluminum could also disrupt markets.

Precious metals: the gold recovery

Fell from its pedestal last week, gold has recovered to historical levels last week in favor of a new wave of market stress in midweek. Alarmed by the risks in the euro area, investors have once again flocked to the safe haven, pushing prices up to U.S. $ 1218.47 on Thursday, not far from the record of U.S. $ 1249.40 May 14 On the London Bullion Market, an ounce of gold finished at 1207.50 dollars at auction Friday night, cons 1179.75 dollars the previous Friday.

And the prospects of rising oil prices are good for the yellow metal. According to the World Gold Council (BMC), consumption should be taken this year by the expansion of the jewelry in China and India.

The ounce of silver has followed the movement of gold, finishing at 18.53 dollars Friday, against 17.72 dollars last Friday.The platinum group metals have also returned to form more than the football World Cup in South Africa could lead to tensions on the country's electricity supply. A situation that could force the mining groups to reduce their production. The ounce of platinum finished at 1555 dollars per ounce of palladium finished at 471 dollars against 419 dollars a week earlier.

Corn and soybeans climbed in Chicago

The corn and soybean prices rose Thursday on the Chicago futures market, driven by the exchanges and oil. More broadly, the decline of the dollar against the euro makes U.S. production more attractive for export.A bushel of corn ends at $ 3.60 (1.12%) and soybeans to close an $ 9.38 per bushel (0.48%).

Cocoa prices have in turn touched a new high in London this week, boosted by the prospect of tight supplies and growing global demand. Thursday, cocoa for July delivery climbed to 2,451 pounds in London, prices not seen for 32 years, while the same term contract in New York reached 3018 dollars.

Sugar, for its part failed to continue its rebound from the previous week. On Liffe in London, a tonne of white sugar for August delivery was worth 475.80 pounds on Friday. On the NYBOT U.S. a pound of raw sugar for July delivery was worth 14.83 cents.

ALSO READ:

"Weekly Review of May 17: Oil dropped below $ 65