Archive for the ‘finance’ Category

November 26, 2011 - 11:51 am Comments Off

The U.S. stock markets have remained on the defensive on Friday. At closing, the Dow Jones lost 0.21% to 11,233.68 points. The S & P 500 loose 0.26% to 1158.82 points. The Nasdaq Composite Index yield of 0.75% on its side 2441.58 points. U.S. financial markets were closed yesterday, while the country celebrated Thanksgiving. The day before, Wall Street finished in the red.

On this day of "Black Friday", the markets were open for half a session. This day, like every day after Thanksgiving, sounds the start of the race for Christmas gifts across the Atlantic. In this time of economic downturn, observers will be attentive to the behavior of U.S. consumers during this high mass consumption.

Tensions on the debt market

On the macroeconomic front there is no major indicator on the agenda.U.S. investors as their European counterparts, should focus on the developments of the debt crisis in the eurozone.

Tensions remain very strong in the market for government bonds. The performance of the Italian debt in two years reached a new peak since the creation of the euro, exceeding 8%, after an auction of short-term borrowings Italian who saw Rome used a record performance.

In the aftermath of mini-crisis summit between France, Germany and Italy, supposed to "support and ensure the sustainability of the euro", the concern persists. Operators complain German blockages on the tasks of the European Central Bank (ECB). France advocates a more determined it to buy the debt of troubled countries. Germany refuses outright. The issue of Eurobonds is at the center of the debate.

In the past, finding a cheap and low cost health insurance posed problems to a lot of people in terms of availability and cost.

Spain: economic course of the new Prime Minister

November 21, 2011 - 4:15 pm Comments Off

Employment, austerity and growth. The election program of the Popular Party (PP) is turned almost exclusively to the economy. Of six chapters, only the last two – and foreign policy institutions – are not related to the crisis in Spain.

Entitled "More company, better government," the program is inspired by a moderate liberalism and makes a message in the form of virtuous circle. A mantra repeated endlessly the conservative Mariano Rajoy, president of the Popular Party, which won an absolute majority in Sunday elections: change will generate trust, for growth and employment, which in turn will promote a return to financial balance.

Entrepreneurs appear to be the better off. Alone should benefit from tax cuts. For others, the austerity will be the rule.

November 18, 2011 - 10:44 pm Comments Off

The meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel with British Prime Minister Cameron, far from marking a reconciliation, a deed the differences between the two countries on the edges of Europe. Despite the cordial declarations of the two heads of government, differences on the issue of saving the euro continues. "Germany's interests, Britain has its own," acknowledged David Cameron at the end of the meeting cash advance.

The issues are still there and no solution in sight, the Chancellor conceded. Britain still refuses the idea of ​​a tax on financial transactions, supported by Paris and Berlin, because it severely handicap the City of London. On the issue of greater involvement of the European Central Bank to resolve the crisis of the euro, which promotes London, the German chancellor has proved inflexible.

November 13, 2011 - 7:00 pm Comments Off

The U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing has won a contract on Sunday 18 billion (13 billion), the largest by value has ever entered the U.S. aircraft manufacturer.

The Emirates Airlines has ordered 50 Boeing 777-300 ER to open the Dubai Airshow, which runs until November 17. The contract is for 90 the number of long-range ordered by Emirates, a company with global ambitions guaranteed payday loans.

Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East and one of the carriers whose growth is fastest in the world, has a fleet of 160 aircraft and a backlog of nearly 200 aircraft. It is already the biggest operator in the world of 777, a device that depending on the version can carry up to 400 people at once wing Dubai to Tokyo or Los Angeles.

November 11, 2011 - 9:40 pm Comments Off

At a silver lining. The great blunder of the rating agency S & P issued Thursday to its subscribers in error message suggesting that the note of France was degraded allowed to know the exact impact would have been the suppression agencies rating of the famous "AAA" from France. This information has been totally denied by the U.S. agency Standard & Poor's and the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) has launched an investigation, but the damage was done.

As such, it must be remembered that the S & P is not his first "mistake". In early August, when the deterioration in the rating of the United States, the agency had already deceived 2,000 billion in the calculation of the federal debt.

This lack of reliability of the agency does not affect the market reaction.Thursday, shortly after the dissemination of this false information to 3:57 p.m., the French rate on loans to ten years amounted to 3.46%, bringing the pay gap with German bonds of similar duration to a record 166 points percentage not seen since the creation of the euro.

Everyone to understand that France will soon be degraded

This Friday, at the opening transaction, rates eased around 3.36%, but markets have learned their lesson. In exchange, everyone understood that in case of deterioration in the rating of France, synonymous with loss of the "triple A", the rates of government bonds with ten years showed 3.46%, or 3 , 5%. This would mean that in this case, France would borrow twice from Germany!

The shock is harsh, but it is ultimately not so dramatic as that. A 3.46 or 3.5% borrowing conditions in France remain reasonable.

The social cost of rigor will fly mid-2012

October 24, 2011 - 3:14 am Comments Off

Tears and blood. After a "transition year" due to the hope of a recovery – finalementdouché by the sovereign debt crisis – and waiting for the presidential, the French will have to prepare for the worst. This is essentially what promise the combination of HR, Personnel & Company (E & P), in the 2011 vintage of his note of social conditions. "The scenario of the fall of 2012 may be highly deceptive and folders in the news, as detonators, regardless of the majority that won," predicts Jean-Pierre Basilian, the author.

For him, the implementation of a genuine policy of rigor, at the end of the presidential election, is no longer any doubt. "With the electoral process, the implementation of proposals on the table, the French will put their hopes for change in politics," he warns.But these expectations "may be disappointed" by the weight of economic realities. "It regardless of the majority that exit polls, austerity policies, fiscal restraint, increased direct and indirect taxes that lie ahead," says Jean-Pierre and Basilian, with the key "a challenging progressive "social shock absorbers, they have worked well during the crisis, appear outdated.

Chilling post-election

The question is whether more rigor to the sauce Greek or British, will become a reality in France. "In all dimensions of social protection, changes will need to be committed in the name of debt reduction, competitiveness of our economy and employment," swears E & P. The questions are rather on the acceptability of austerity policies developed low fee cash advance."At what point will the social cost he found unbearable, by which social groups?, Asks Jean-Pierre Basilian. Where will the divide? The foundation of social cohesion will break there? "If the worst is never certain, it is still really far away. Everything will depend in the end, according to the association, "the representation that citizens will be social justice" policy implementation "of the fair contribution of each social group efforts."

The shower post-election may be all the more ice that three major social issues are at the heart of the presidential debates. First employment, "the first concern of the French," associated with the competitiveness of the economy and a target of lower labor costs."The sharp slowdown in growth can have a negative effect on the rate of unemployment figures the next few months should not be good and may approach or exceed 10%," says the association. Second, youth employment and efficiency of the education system to find a solution to "lost to 18.0000" coming out every year of school without a diploma. And third, the preservation of a social protection floor. "For a taxation of contributions? A decrease joint benefits? "Asks E & P. "In any case, we will not avoid the issue of cost and financing," predicts Jean-Pierre Basilian.

ALSO READ:

"New austerity measures are not excluded

"Unemployment: The ILO describes a" traumatized generation "

Officials: 51% turnout professional

October 23, 2011 - 12:30 am Comments Off

Barely more than one agent in two has passed. Participation in professional elections in state civil service fell 51% against 70% in previous elections. This dip can be explained by the Ministry of Education (more than half of voters), where the number of voters has plummeted to 38.5%. Participation has also maintained or slightly increased.

Several unions of education have questioned the electronic voting used for the first time. Besides errors "classic" in sending the professions of faith or the constitution of electoral lists – that private voting some candidates! – Bugs, especially complex and lengthy procedures have discouraged or computer agents prevented some from voting.The FSU, crumbling a bit, but still by far in the lead for Education (40.6%, double the UNSA and three times the CFDT and FOR), the judge "malfunctions" so many they constitute a "denial of social democracy." According to the CGT, "for 10% of the workforce, the conditions were not met in order to vote." Tens of thousands of voters have not received the code allowing them to vote.

Demobilization

"The elections were conducted generally without real difficulty," scans the Minister of Public Service, citing the use of "modern" and "environmentally responsible". François Sauvadet "rejects the word" failed ". Participation is also the result of the decision of each agent to vote or not. " The officers had "one week to decide," says one colleague in Education, Luc Chatel.Favor of electronic voting and … up, the CFDT and Unsa also note that if teachers are not mobilized, principals or administrative officers of Education have been more involved, as postal workers, while they also voted on the Internet. The vote for the first time, contract – which the unions have not always paid great attention – may also explain the poor performance against.

Mechanical consequence of the demobilization of troops of Education, FSU – so far the first union of all the public service of this state, but almost exclusively among teachers – see the gap is closing with its competitors low fee payday loans.It drops to 20.9% of the votes (19.1% including private school teachers under contract, for the first time integrated into the social dialogue bodies of the state).

The reformists up

His pursuers, rather than reformist protesters, progress: FOR 17.8% (16.2% with private school teachers), the UNSA with 16.7% (15.3%), with 12.6% CFDT (14.5%). Then come the CGT with 13.4% (12.8%), Partners with 6.5% (6.2%), CFE-CGC with 6.3% (5.8%) and the CFTC with 1, 6% (3.9%). FO heels and the FSU and even seems able to catch up. However, the CFTC could disappear from the list of allowed unions to negotiate and sign agreements for all the officials, failing sufficient score.

But these results should be taken with a grain of salt: more than 300 000 registered agents are still missing the call, about 2 million.Are integrated nor France Telecom nor the Department of Justice, who will vote Nov. 22. In the first case, it was always intended, in the second the vote was postponed at the last minute because they have been properly prepared.

They do not include either the results of the Ministries of Economy and Budget, who had not finished stripping, yesterday afternoon. What added a little more sense of improvisation and confusion. At some point – even among union leaders – questioned whether Bercy did not take pleasure in soap the plank at the Department of Civil Service, at the forefront of this election. In the week already, as the "flop" of participation seemed to indicate the climate was tense between 101 and 110 rue de Grenelle – seat of the Ministry of Public Service and that of the National Education.

ALSO READ:

"Elections unprecedented in the public

"Redistribution between public service unions

Renault is organized to improve safety

October 16, 2011 - 4:18 am Comments Off

Six months after the end of the disastrous false spy case, the flowchart of Renault is unrecognizable. The large "household" began on April 11, according to the findings of an internal audit of the dysfunctions of the company during this crisis. That day, under government pressure, many players in this fiasco had been removed. Led by Patrick Pelata, number two, since replaced by Carlos Tavares. But also members of the famous security service, the chief executives, Jean-Yves Coudriou, the legal director, Christian Husson, and Secretary General, Laurence Dors.

This is also the same date as the foundation of the current organization had been thrown, with the creation of a Deputy Director of Superpost for president, told Mouna Sepehri, comprising the General Secretariat, and the law.Meanwhile, the Human Resources Directorate was attached to the CEO.

This structure was subsequently refined in late July, after a report by Alain Bauer, Alain Juillet and Eric Delbecque, all three experts on economic security. They advocated to link security to delegate to the presidency and create a structure of security control – inspection – dependent on the CEO.

This reorganization is clearly intended to prevent the excesses of winter – where the direction of Renault had managed the business with an incredible amateur, without resorting to the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) – can reproduce easy pay day loans.Carlos Ghosn, the CEO, why close all security issues with him, as they were once buried in the depths of the organization, and has mounted a much more professional.

Prevent skidding

Friday, the new recruits were officially presented. Among the main changes, Eric Le Grand, head of security at the Post supports this function at Renault. Jean-Marc Berlioz, former head of the General Inspectorate of the National Police, who was also an adviser to Nicolas Sarkozy and Hortefeux of the Ministry of the Interior, is entrusted with the inspection of the security service. He will report to the CEO, as the direction of internal audit, and that of ethics, whose boss is being recruited.

Communication, finally, was renewed.It is also the responsibility of Mouna Sepehri, who was charged in April to reflect "the lessons of the crisis" in this area. We remember the disastrous intervention of Carlos Ghosn on TF1, saying it was evidence "multiple". The management of this service returns to Florence Goldfiem, a former journalist. She will be responsible for bringing the "serenity" and "pride" to the group, and improve the image of Carlos Ghosn, dented by the crisis. Oil and its relations with the French elites and policies, which have little support, while "helping him to refine his understanding of French culture," says one in-house.

Air France flight testing a "bio" between Toulouse and Orly

October 14, 2011 - 10:07 am Comments Off

Apart from small stickers indicating the presence of biodiesel in the tanks, nothing distinguishes the A321 Air France reduced in C02 a regular camera. Yet the company wanted to create the event Thursday by the AF6129 flight between Toulouse and Orly the most efficient carbon dioxide emissions.

Lufthansa, KLM and Aeromexico have conducted experiments of this type, but Air France has combined the use of biofuel and all means of reducing its CO2 emissions. This is an operation of "teaching and outreach," according to Bertrand Lebel, Executive Vice President for Sustainable Development of Air France KLM.

To make half as much C02 as a classic flight, Air France has played on several tables. First, it has reduced the weight of the aircraft short-and medium-haul (seats, trolleys, trucks …).Then, the pilot chooses a path optimized and continues without remedy to the rise and descent. A European project, named Cesar, was launched to generalize better traffic management and trajectories. To be deployed in Europe, 20 billion euros will have to be invested in Cesar.

Besides the weight and trajectory, the use of biofuel, supplied by SkyNRG, a subsidiary of KLM, is the major focus of this demonstration. "KLM has the chance to control the whole chain of its refueling, which is not our case," says Bertrand Lebel. Air France executives make no secret of its suppliers of kerosene engines are not in the desire to diversify the sources of fuel. "We have received support from Airbus in Toulouse in order to organize the supply of this unit.In Paris, we could not do that. "Half of the fuel used on this flight is the result of recycling of waste oil. The company chose not to use fuel from agriculture. "We do not want the biokerosene be in competition with food," says Deputy Director General. In addition, Air France will join the CEA to open in the Meuse a biofuel produced through the use of forest waste.

Permits to pollute

Air France is far to consider a generalization of the experience: "The company will not be able to use the best bio-fuels by 2020," says Bertrand Lebel.At this date, biofuel will not represent more than 2 to 4% of airline demand.

Another important measure to reduce CO2 emissions, the use of permits to pollute under a European directive which comes into force is set to January. It will apply to European airlines and companies in the world who will enter the European space. Some fear retaliation. Thus, China Southern is negotiating to bring its A380 between Paris and Shanghai, which would allow its partner Air France KLM to do the same. But if EU legislation is too restrictive, China Southern may prefer to Sydney to Paris.

ALSO READ:

"Air France passenger traffic up

"Air France 110 aircraft orders to Airbus and Boeing

The Deposit negotiating its terms with Dexia

October 11, 2011 - 5:42 am Comments Off

The directors of Dexia and states have approved most of the steps needed to dismantle Dexia. Belgium has proposed the purchase to 4 billion euros in Dexia Bank Belgium (DBB), letter of intent attached to the communiqué issued after the board in support. A similar document should also have been initialed on the negotiations with the Deposit and Postal Bank on the financing of local authorities.But according to two sources familiar with the conditions of an agreement between Dexia and Caisse des depots were not met on Monday.

A week ago, however, after an operation of mediation between the parties led by René Ricol, the Deposit and Dexia had agreed on the outlines of the deal: the CDC should buy Dexia Municipal Agency The vehicle refinancing loans from Dexia's long-term form of bonds, for a price estimated at 250 million euros. So business savvy. But the data have changed in the day Saturday, Dexia reassessing its estimate to 380 million.This morning, without targeting specific operation Dexma, Pierre Mariani reaffirmed its determination to defend the interests of the bank and its shareholders.

Another crystallizes the tension between the French public institution and its subsidiary to 20%: the definition of liability guarantees granted by the latter to the former in connection with the operation. Due to insufficient data, the investment committee of the Caisse des depots, while conscious of the urgency has given an advisory opinion but negative on the operation hours of the board of the Franco-Belgian bank.

Simple adventures of a complex negotiation and tense? Recalled to the rescue Saturday night, Rene Ricol has at least reconfirmed the terms of the consensus snatched the previous weekend. The subject should again grow rapidly.We need it to maintain the balance of the scheme to dismantle and symmetry of the actions of both sides of the Franco-Belgian border.