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The Paris Bourse succeed does bind to a fourth straight increase session on Thursday? Yesterday, the Cac 40 ended on a strong increase of 3.07% allowing it to pick up 3250 points. And signals from Wall Street, which also ended the month of August on an increase of 0.46% are good. Also this morning, Asian markets generally appear in the green, backed by the index of manufacturing activity in China has reached 50.9 in August, against 50.7 in July.

Investors seem reassured by the Fed to continue to support that ensures the growth of the United States by a new policy of monetary easing.These remarks, made during the last minutes of the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, reinforce those of the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, who on Friday called the elect to make fiscal stimulus measures to complement the action of the bank Central. They were also supported by the publication of encouraging indicators.

Busy schedule in the U.S.

On Thursday, investors will keep an eye on the macroeconomic agenda of the day will still be charged in the United States. On the menu: the Monster Employment Index and weekly jobless claims before the highly anticipated monthly employment report on Friday. Productivity in the second quarter and is expected construction spending and ISM manufacturing.

In France, the unemployment rate as defined in International Labour Office (ILO) decreased slightly by 0.1 points in the second quarter to 9.1% on average in metropolitan (9.6% including the departments of overseas), according to data seasonally adjusted (SA) Interim released Thursday by the INSEE

As for the oil markets, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gained 21 cents to 89.02 dollars in morning trading and a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery climbed 29 cents to 115 , $ 14. On the currency markets, the euro fell slightly to 1.4358 dollar.

Values ​​to follow

Banking

Greek debt is out of control and the measures taken by the government can not restore the finances, the report of an independent parliamentary commission on Wednesday.

Illiad

The internet service provider reported in the first half of 231,000 new subscribers under its brand Free (excluding Alice), a market share of 36% and saw its EBITDA margin to improve by a , 4 point to 40%, or 416 payday loans online.4 million euros on sales of 1.04 billion (+2.6%).

France Telecom

The U.S. administration has initiated legal proceedings Wednesday to block the sale of Deutsche Telekom's U.S. subsidiary T-Mobile to the giant AT & T for reasons of respect for competition.

Pernod Ricard

The French producer of wines and spirits, announced Thursday a 10% increase in net profit for the year 2010-2011, exceeding for the first time the billion euros.

Eurazeo

The investment company said Thursday in a loss of 106.3 million euros in the first half due to losses on derivatives and goodwill

GDF Suez

The group said it had completed the acquisition of gas storage sites in Germany.

Eiffage

The new CEO of the group does not preclude the sale or closure of loss-making subsidiaries to consolidate the early resumption of the performance of the construction group observed in the first half.

Saint-Gobain

The group announced it would invest $ 100 million (69.41 million euros) in the United States to create a factory specializing in the manufacture of ceramic balls ("proppants") used in wells oil and gas.

Latécoère confirms its objectives

Lagardère

The group was forced to significantly revise down its forecast for operating profit for 2011 because of the difficulties encountered by the sports center in the first half.

Maurel et Prom

The group took the first half of the increase in its oil production and high prices in oil prices to clear the results up sharply.

Guyenne et Gascogne

The group reported a loss in the first half, the franchisee of Carrefour have been penalized by its subsidiary Sogara whose accounts were affected by several non-recurring items.

Latécoère

The group, whose net income rebounded sharply during the first half, confirmed its targets for operating profit in 2011 and 2012.

Theolia

The group reported Wednesday a recovery in its interim results, the French wind power has reduced its interest expense over the period, particularly through the conversion action of nearly two million of bonds.

After market, Neopost will publish its revenue for the second quarter and Stallergenes results for the first half.

Among the statistics expected Monday in Wall Street, the surprise came from consumer spending. The Americans have in fact spent more than expected in July. Up 0.8% on month, consumer spending across the Atlantic more than 0.3 percentage points the level expected by analysts. Because of inflation, which rose 0.4% from June, consumer spending rose 0.5% in real terms. Their progress is the highest since December 2009.

This increase serves as a good sign for U.S. growth in the third quarter. What mood enhancing buyer investors, who already showed optimism prior to publication. At the opening of the session on Monday in New York, the indices showed the green, and have strengthened their gains throughout the day.At the final bell, the Dow Jones advance of 2.26% at 11,539 points, the Nasdaq and Standard & Poor's 500 rising 3.32% respectively in 2562 and 2.83% points to 1210 points, the latter going over the bar of 1200 points, a first for two weeks.

The indices remained in the green while the IMF has revised down sharply its growth forecast for the U.S. this year and next, said Monday the Italian news agency Ansa, quoting a draft of the new economic forecasts Fund. According to the Italian agency, the IMF table than on a 1.6% growth this year in the United States, against a previous forecast of 2.5% published in June, and 2% next year against two , 7%.

Also, note that the promises of home sales fell 1.3% in July compared with June, as the market expected, according to figures released by the National Association of Realtors.They increased by 2.4% in June Over one year are up 14.4%.

The final impact less severe than expected from Hurricane Irene passed over New York yesterday, also contributes to investor optimism. Similarly, after being confused by the speech of Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, on Friday, market participants regain hope in a possible intervention by the Fed.

The Dow Jones above 11,000 points

According to analysts at Aurel BGC in fact, the announcement by Ben Bernanke, a two-day meeting in September to study in detail the possible deployment of new monetary tools, reassured. "Either the recovery of economic activity is growing, or the central bank will implement new support measures, they summarize.Under these conditions, the U.S. indices rebounded sharply after Bernanke's speech. "

In fact, dropped below the 11,000 points while the Fed chairman began to speak, the Dow finished at 11 284.5, up 1.2% on Friday night. A final increase, which encouraged European stock markets bounce back on Monday morning, except in London, closed due to holiday.

Another indicator which will be followed on Monday, the promises of home sales for July are expected down 0.1% from a consensus of analysts, against 2.4% rise previously.

The bank remained in the spotlight

No major publication is out of business side.

The CAC 40, which gained more than 2% over the last two sessions, could open up again this Thursday on the eve of the intervention (16 hours, Paris time) the President of the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke, which could signal further monetary easing to support the U.S. economy. Earlier, the U.S. government will plublié its second estimate of GDP figures for the second quarter. The growth rate of the world's largest economy in the spring, which had greatly disappointed a month ago, could then be revised down 0.2 percentage point to 1.1%.

Meanwhile, the stock market should continue to pick up a few points to be closer to the threshold of 3200 points.The session will be punctuated by two indicators are expected before the close of the Bourse de Paris: the index of consumer confidence but also the German weekly claims for unemployment benefits in the United States.

In France, unemployment figures and job seekers for the month of July will be published after-hours trading to 18 hours. Labour Minister, Xavier Bertrand, expects the unemployment figures "are wrong as were those of the previous two months."

Sharp decline in quarterly profit of Crédit Agricole

On the corporate side, the ball of the results continues.

Crédit Agricole has published a net profit down 10.6% to 339 million euros in the second quarter 2011, due to a charge of 640 million related to Greece.In addition, the group could spend 1.5 billion euros to recapitalize its subsidiaries in Southern Europe including the Greek bank Emporiki, according to the Letter of expansion without citing sources cash advance. half-year results of companies, including Credit Agricole and Edenred, the branch of Accor Services.

Edenred announced interim results and annual targets in line with analysts' expectations, the strong activity in Latin America continue to boost the profits of the group.

Cellectis has entered a development agreement and license with the American Recombinetics on "the creation of transgenic large animals" such as pigs, sheep or cattle.

Schneider announced his bid for Telvent Git SA expire 30 August instead of September 12.

Gemalto has reported a strong growth in its half-yearly sales, thanks to the strong growth of its secure transactions that are now the most profitable activity of the group.

Bureau Veritas announced adjusted net income up 10% to 164.2 million euros in the first half, operating margin declined 70 basis points to 16.0%, and confirmed predict a sharp increase in the number and business results in 2011.

Oil prices rise

Oil prices were up Thursday morning during electronic trading in Asia, in a market sensitive to the situation in Libya and cautious speech eagerly awaited the head of the U.S. central bank (Fed).In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October has appreciated by 14 cents to 85.30 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery took 21 cents to 110.36 dollars .

Sign that the markets are still very feverish, gold crossed for the first time in its history the bar in 1900 dollars an ounce to more than 1914 dollars exactly. However, according to analyst estimates, the Cac 40 should continue to rise, after gaining 1.14% to 3051.36 points on Monday. Wall Street closed Monday evening while a cautious rebound Asian stock markets advance slowly.

While awaiting the president's speech to the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke, Friday, and the publication of the second estimate of U.S. GDP in the second quarter, the same day, the markets are mindful of the situation in Libya where the prospect a regime change seems inevitable with the fall of Colonel Gaddafi after 42 years of reign.

Oil prices retreat slightly

As a result, oil prices were cautious on Tuesday morning.In morning trading, a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery fell by 2 cents to 108.34 dollars, after losing 18 cents in early trade. A barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gained 27 cents 84.69 dollars.

On the macroeconomic front, the manufacturing PMI for France and the euro area will be published respectively in 9 hours and 10 hours. In the U.S., sales of new homes in July were attendures to 16 hours.

On the corporate side, the energy sector will follow when the regime of Colonel Gaddafi is expected to fall.

Carrefour announced Monday the appointment of Thierry Garnier, currently executive director of distribution group for growth markets, the Executive Director for China and Taiwan, replacing Eric Legros.

In May 2010, McDonald's France was a sensation with a TV spot in which a teenager going on a phone call to her boyfriend before having lunch with his father, who explains that, as he did at that age, it could be a 'real card with the babes. " Advertising has been around the world. In the original French with subtitles in English, it even triggered a controversy in the United States. The conservative Fox News channel has even made a field day. Sacrilege: great American brand in the gay friendly side!

In this spot, designed by BETC Euro RSCG, is not known if the son ends up coming out to her.But the statement by McDonald's, which has declined in all genres, is very clear that you're straight or gay, black or white, young or old, rich or poor, we do not judge, "just like you are. "

Before, we criticized the pub not to be representative of "visible minorities", not to be sufficiently "black-blanc-beur". Today, the debate has shifted to the "non-visible minorities" and still gets carried away on the issues of communalism, which are still taboo in France.

10% of "non-white"

The proportion of ads depicting characters perceived as "non-white" compared to the total advertising (TV, press and poster) distributed and reviewed by the Regulatory Authority's professional advertising (ARPP) reached 7% in 2008 against 3% in 2005, and this share has increased further since then, around 10%."Racial minorities are now represented quite rightly, said Ingrid Zerbib, image editor for the magazine Strategies, who viewed all the ads that come out in France. The next step is in progress. Homosexuals, the disabled and the sick are increasingly visible. "

McDonald's campaign has been emulated. Krys posted Orangina or gays in their pubs. Personalities with disabilities such as Down syndrome Pascal Duquenne for the virtual mobile operator Simyo, or the blind Gilbert Montagne, for heating specialist camera, turned in spots. Diseases are also commonplace."You can be sick without stigma," said Anne Ramon, communications director of the National Cancer Institute (INCA), the last campaign "I am a person, not a cancer," conducted by the agency La Chose , seeks to change social perceptions of one of the most widespread diseases in France.

In another, more commonplace, but also an affirmation of reality: that of the Community consumption, with the campaign launched last year by the brand halal Isla Delight "Proudly halal." On the occasion of Ramadan, for the first time in France, the brand was as diverse a reference food, free of any cliché. "This campaign is a marker, decrypts the marketing consultant Jean-Jacques Urvoy.The brand was treated as the French leader Charal. "On a halal market estimated at over 5 billion euros – and therefore highly competitive – the whole trick of the ad was to challenge the EU labeling, while displaying a rooster and a Charolais beef! A war of images in a way.

The concern again lead the Paris Bourse. The CAC 40 was launched on the day down 0.37% to 3064.49 points. But around 9:40, the fall has accelerated: the Paris index of 3.44% to unscrew 2970.13 points, releasing the threshold of 3000 points. The CAC has, however, resumed in the afternoon around 16:30 it is in the green briefly before returning to equilibrium, yielding 0.10% at 3072.88 points. London erases even his losses: the FTSE-100 gained 0.22%. In Frankfurt, the Dax lost no more than 0.39%. Madrid still loose 1.38%, Milan were down 0.53% and 0.57% in Zurich. Across the Atlantic, Wall Street returns to the green: the Dow Jones gained 0.29% and the Nasdaq 0.93%.

Operators are struggling to recover from their emotions after the new European stock markets plummeting and U.S. Thursday. This morning, Asian stock market sent negative signals with indices in very sharp drop.This bad mood due to a surge in concern about the state of the global economy, reinforced by poor indicators of the Atlantic. Bad index measuring the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing activity in the region, lower sales of existing homes in July, new jobless claims rising again during the second week of August … All signs of the apparent stagnation of growth in the United States.

Concerns about U.S. growth fears add to the debt crisis in Europe, European banks are the first to bear the brunt. In its Thursday edition, The Wall Street Journal reported on fears the U.S. Federal Reserve on the liquidity of European banks.And for the first time since February, the European Central Bank (ECB) has given a major dollar loan to a European bank, whose identity was not revealed. An action that reinforces doubts about the ability of banks to refinance.

Morgan Stanley has added his two cents to panic, explaining that she perceived the United States and Europe as "dangerously close to recession." The President of the European Union, Herman van Rompuy, tried Thursday to calm the mind by ensuring that there was "no new recession" in sight. And this morning, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed that the U.S. economy was "resilient". In vain.

"The bears are back"

"The bears (pessimistic players, ie) are back in force that night, after disappointing U.S. economic indicators and renewed fears about the stability of European banks, which prompted investors to push the button sales," said Ben Potter, an analyst at IG Markets in Australia. "There seems to be getting ready for a weekend very ugly, with a market dominated once again by fear and panic," he added.

Gold reached a new record Friday morning in Asia, to 1,837.50 dollars per ounce, due to the concern. And oil, which fell 6% in New York yesterday, continues to fall in morning trading.A barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery lost 1.69 dollars to 80.69 dollars while that of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery gave 68 cents to 106.31 dollars.

No significant indicator that could reverse the trend, are expected on Friday.

Values ​​to follow

The banking sector

European financial stocks, which had been rolled by a renewed tensions in the interbank market and concerns about the short-term refinancing of the banks were still under attack this morning.BNP Paribas (-3.01% to 33.18 euros), Natixis (0.97% to 2.924 euros), Credit Agricole (-0.40% to 6.203 euros), Societe Generale (-0.46% at 21 , 50 euros) and AXA (-1.42% to 10.405 euros), however, have erased some of their losses in the afternoon.

Danone: -2.21% to 45.835 euros

Nestlé, the group became a favorite activity for infant formula, Wyeth, Pfizer subsidiary, valued at approximately ten billion dollars (seven billion euros), officials said a source familiar with the bank.

Technip: -0.98% to 59.38 euros

The French engineering group said it had received a letter of intent on the part of the American oil company Anadarko for the construction of an offshore platform for the Gulf of Mexico.

The Paris Bourse has been optimistic on Monday before the Franco-German summit on Tuesday. The CAC 40, which began on the exchange increased by 1.07%, was on the rise, more moderate, from 0.78% to 3239.06 points. The index in Paris fell into the red at midday before recovering. With Monday a holiday of the Assumption, trading volumes remained low provided, to 2.3 billion euros against 7.5 billion last week.

The movement is the same in the rest of Europe. After opening sharply higher, European stock markets have slowed their progress mid-day before returning to finish the colors in a small increase. At closing, the London Stock Exchange and Frankfurt gained 0.57% 0.41%%. After remaining in the red part of the day, Madrid ended with a gain of 0.71%.Exchanges of Milan, Lisbon and Athens are closed due to holiday.

No Eurobonds on the menu Tuesday's markets are very nervous before Tuesday's meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They must discuss reform of the governance of the euro area, sensitive issue for the markets. The Franco-German promises to make such joint proposals by the end of the summer. Investors are calling for the creation of "Eurobonds", which would sign the pooling of public debt in the euro area. But Germany has dampened hopes by mid-morning by announcing that the possible creation of common obligations to countries in the euro area "will play no role" at the meeting on Tuesday."The Euro-bonds are not an option," added the spokesman of the Ministry of Finance during a press conference. The Elysee in a few minutes later confirmed that the issue of Eurobonds was "not on the agenda."

Meanwhile, the British Finance Minister, George Osborne, today called the euro area to move towards a more integrated budget to bring the world economy on the path of trust. The euro area "must now demonstrate its commitment to greater integration of budget and governance arrangements that prevent moral hazard and reinforce fiscal responsibility," said he.

In addition, the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn called on European countries to adopt "very quickly" the decisions of July 21, and provided that the applicants were working "day and night" to this.

As for currencies, the euro rose above 1.44 dollars, against 1.4249 on Friday. The single currency also rose against the Japanese currency to 110.85 yen against 109.30 on Friday.

On the macroeconomic front, on Monday was very light. In the U.S., manufacturing in the New York area fell for the third consecutive month, while the morale of U.S. home builders has remained stable, close to its lowest historical levels.

The bank-shaped

On the corporate side, Societe Generale gained 2.06% to 24.80 euros.The Financial Markets Authority (AMF) initiated an investigation of market rumors that circulated this week the bank announced Friday its president Jean-Pierre Jouyet.

The banking sector has benefited from optimism on Monday. Credit Agricole gained 3.31% to 6.735 euros, BNP Paribas up 0.81% to 37.525 euros, ahead of Axa 2.98% to 11.24 euros. Natixis finally loses 0.06% to 3.114 euros after signing the largest increase of ACC (3.95%).

France Telecom (1.38% to 13.22 euros): the telephone operator Orange has unveiled some clues on the future model of the iPhone Appel keeps top secret.

GDF Suez (0.70% to 20.90 euros) has initiated "discussions" to sell its stake from 10.4% in the West Franklin field in the North Sea, the French energy group intends to transfer for 600 million euros.

Alstom (+0.20% at 32.69 euros): Goldman Sachs rose to "neutral" on the title with a price target reduced to 43 against 52 euros.

Danone (1.48% to 47.02 euros): UniCredit has raised its rating to "buy" against "hold".

In recent weeks, a new generation of vending machines first appeared in Paris. Located near the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, the machine offers, 24 and 24 hours seven days a week, fresh bread, sold a euro baguette. One hundred and twenty rods craft, pre-cooked for ten minutes, are placed for maximum seventy-two hours in the refrigerated dispenser. The end of the cooking is done at the pace of demand for ten more minutes. They can then be kept for more than five hours, to ensure consumers of warm bread.

The origin of this world first, as original as vending machines swimwear and sunglasses located at the entrance to the pools, is Jean-Louis Hecht.The baker was able to marry fifties vending, mainly industrial and bakery.

"Small steps slowly"

It all began in 2001 when the contractor completed the first prototype of its distributor, together with a technical school in Moselle. He suggested "small steps small steps" toward a machine patented by the company and assembly of industrial equipment Mecondielle Portuguese. The investment is huge for this baker without the cost of the assembly, the machine comes already at 30,000 euros. Then you would need two hundred and fifty hours of assembly.

The machine, the first of which is in commercial service since January in Moselle, in the other bakery owned by Jean-Louis Hecht, naturally allows to inflate sales, thanks to its opening hours."It is also a strong vehicle for promoting that is not gray at the bakery, says Jean-Louis Hecht no fax needed payday loans. On the contrary, this innovation is a service that complements the baker's trade but do not replace. "

He said it will become indispensable in France and abroad, because of the quality of the product offered and the economic viability extraordinary profits are 30% higher than the store, according to the contractor.

A solution for villages without trade

In Paris, the distributor already sells 80 sticks a day, and Jean-Louis Hecht look forward to go further. The entrepreneur wants to "make the most of" his idea and does not sell his patent. He thinks big and would like to extend it by buying several bakeries and industrial equipment, backed by the facade.

The baker has other ambitions for his vending machine.A consulting firm located in Portugal working on a version independent of any trade, which would be installed in remote locations such as villages, tourist resorts or passage.

With the unmistakable design of his machine, Jean-Louis Hecht even considering creating a string, which spread in the desert regions of all trade, to allow each person to have its traditional fresh baguette every day. He finally claims that his invention has international potential, in Europe or the United States, where consumers are fond of "French baguette."

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"Frankly, I'm the only one who can clean it all," said Rupert Murdoch, tapping his fist on the table, at the hearing by the Cultural Committee of the British Parliament last month. Open-tapping scandal, the media mogul has not yielded an inch on the issue of governance of the group whose history is intertwined with that of his family. Wednesday, publication of successful annual News Corp has confirmed this position. He and his family will remain at the head of News Corp and any jolt the market or its shareholders will do deviate from their course.

"Never Rupert Murdoch will not yield to pressure. Neither in a million years or two million years. If a change is to occur, it will be by his own will and when he decides, "recently told a source close to the clan, The Guardian newspaper.During his hearing in July, Rupert Murdoch did not hesitate to declare that he wanted "to see his son and daughters to continue the road, if they are interested." Wednesday night, he reiterated his confidence in his son James, who oversees the group's activities in Europe and Asia.

Yet the issue of governance is more than ever at the heart of the reflection of the market on the future of the empire built by one man, who hammered Wednesday night: "The job is not to be filled in the near future. "

Voices begin to rise among the shareholders to demand an overhaul of the board of News Corp fast cash advance. With 12% of the capital and 40% of the voting rights, Rupert Murdoch and his two son, Lachlan and James, occupy three seats out of the seventeen that make up the governing body.Before exploding the case of the tabloid News of the World that led to its closure, it was also expected that Elisabeth, her second daughter, occupies a fourth seat. What it has temporarily waived. Besides the fact that James has yet to respond to the inquiry on the sheets, making his position as director of News Corp chief operating and its subsidiary, BSkyB, more and more complicated. "It is time to end management of a decent grocery store around the corner," a shareholder storm quoted by the Anglo-Saxon.

Rise of Chase Carey

Six months ago, Chase Carey, the News Corp. chief operating, popular markets, was to chair the group in preparation for the arrival of James Murdoch to the position. In vain.However, there is a manager in whom Rupert Murdoch has the most confidence, the point of saying Wednesday night: "If I go under a bus, is to him that my job will come back."

Theoretically, News Corp has nine independent directors can tilt the board. But as the experts point out, "it is very difficult to agree nine people at once. This is not a malfunction, it is a non-functioning board. "

Last Friday, a small twenty senior analysts from the rating agency Standard & Poor's had noted in their agenda a top secret conference call. In fact, they were about to make history: the meeting focused on the debt rating of the United States. After several hours of deliberations, the leading world power has lost its prestigious AAA. Not a word has filtered out of the meeting.

Rating agencies cultivate secrecy around these appointments called "rating committees." The heart of their power: analysts will decide the fate of nations by voting financial, away from the public on the future of the country note. No list of participants has not been released. However, the assessment can set the tone to the market.Law and internal regulations require many investors to buy or sell some of their shares according to the decisions of the trio of major Anglo-Saxon agencies Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.

The theory and practice

At the beginning of the procedure leading to the convening of a committee must be an event that could have an impact on the rating of a country, a new government or the publication of statistics. That's the theory. In practice, agencies are not locked in their ivory towers. "The noise of the markets or the hype, the phenomena of modes outside the agency also cause internal discussions that may cause the reopening of cases," says a former senior analyst at Moody's.

To prepare for a summit meeting, the analyst in charge of the target country meets members of the tax administration.Once or twice a year in general, often in a crisis. He did not have access to more information than large investors also regularly received by the authorities. Following a strict methodology and specific to each agency, he wrote a memo and draft a proposal for the "conf call." On the day, it will have to convince between 4 and 20 of his colleagues, a figure which varies depending on the size of the country but also … each holiday, a former gliding.

One man, one vote

One man, one vote: in principle, democratic rule prevails in rating committees. In practice, less glorious. Clan wars and other struggles for influence can disrupt the debate. As in any large company. "It can heat from analysts," says Pierre Cailleteau, ex-head of sovereign ratings at Moody's, now adviser at Lazard.For example, he says, "we were very divided about Greece last year. We had some very important debates internally. "Moody's, which was the first to lower the rating of Athens in 2009, then sharply deteriorated four notches, out of season.

In case of disagreement, how to find a majority? Standard & Poor's has found the solution: the committees are always in odd numbers. Then the strict methodology of the agency under discussion. And, theoretically, the great leader is there to calm things down. "In some cases, the director may have a strong grip on the committee," says Norbert Gaillard, specialist rating agencies *. Analysts may come under pressure, admits to spell Pierre Cailleteau: "We arrived during the session to ask an analyst to reconsider its vote, given the dominant position on the committee."Moody's, the bylaws stipulates, however, to limit the pressure, the lowest in the hierarchy and a vote in the first analyst to appeal a decision.

Subjective criteria

Still, the year-end bonus are set by the Area Manager, at Moody's in particular. The criteria are multiple, subjective: the variable compensation of an analyst depends on the work of presenting and representing the firm on the outside, the frequency of updating of countries covered, or the level of the analyst. "There are good and less good," says Pierre Cailleteau, which concluded: "It is I who stood out on bonuses." Moody's says

The former analyst, who left his practice in 2008, said: "The reports became confrontational, the atmosphere would grow over the independence of opinion. This is one reason I left. "And asks: "Given the importance given to them, is it not problematic that the agencies do not communicate about the independence of their analysts?"

In the end, the committee's decision is published, with an argument, in a press release. But no mention of voting results, the agencies do not want to reveal internal divisions. We do not know if the note of the United States has been lowered with a broad consensus. Or with a voice apart.

Agencies to staff shortages

"Agencies do not have the resources corresponding to the importance of financial regulations and investors give them-and they give themselves," lamented a former Moody's. Standard & Poor's, the largest agency in the world, the Wall Street Journal has only 70 to 80 analysts, juniors and seniors, covering 126 countries.Result, "every senior analyst is responsible for an average of 6 to 10 countries, shows the former analyst. When I was at the International Monetary Fund, an economist focused exclusively on one country. "

Same thing during visits to the Ministries of Finance of the State. Former Moody's drives the point home: "At the IMF, the missions are conducted on site by five and last 15 days. Moody's, we were two, and the visit lasted two to three days. "In Fitch's rating committees collect a minimum of four analysts. At most, 20 people participated, but it is very rare. Contacted by lefigaro.fr, Moody's would not say how many senior analysts it employs.

Rating agencies could afford to recruit: profitability is very high. Moody's expects a gross margin between 38 and 40% in 2011.The past year, Fitch was more than half of revenues (58%) and the Standard & Poor's to 43% on the only first three months of 2011.

* Norbert Gaillard is the author of "The rating agencies", Éditions La Découverte, 2010

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