Archive for the ‘calculation’ Category

The EU is struggling to define its response to the crisis

October 23, 2011 - 9:15 am Comments Off

Halfway to a series of meetings decisive for the future of the euro, Europeans always struggled Sunday to set a major response to the crisis of debt, after Greece, Ireland and Portugal , now threatens to bring Italy and Spain.

Saturday, more than ten hours of meetings were needed to reach an agreement on a recapitalization of the banking sector to the tune of 100 billion euros, which was yet largely gained at the technical level this week.

The work, however, little or no progress on the form that is chosen to leverage the fund to support the euro and to reduce the Greek mountain of debt, even if a discount up to 60% of the shares held by investors Private is under discussion.

These discussions are held with their eyes on the economic situation in Italy which puts the Europeans against the wall because the current instruments to support the single currency are not powerful enough to rescue a country of this size .

As a prelude to the European Council, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for half an hour Sunday morning.

Diplomats said the meeting was organized to increase the pressure on it so that it implements a more resolute reforms announced in September and reassures markets on its ability to maintain control in the Italian debt, which exceeds 120% of GDP.

A German government source said the head of the French state and the German chancellor had stressed "the urgent need for concrete and credible actions in the countries of the euro area", otherwise the decisions taken in the coming days n ' will have no effect.

Angela Merkel had insisted on Saturday that Italy would reduce its debt so as not to jeopardize the support mechanisms for the euro, "regardless of the height of these walls of protection."

BANKS

On his arrival in Brussels, the Chancellor warned that one should not expect final decisions at the EU summit and the euro area held Sunday.

It must now rely on the consent of the German parliamentarians to any reform of the fund to support the euro, making it difficult European negotiations.

Following an agreement reached Saturday, about sixty of the largest European banks need to recapitalize by 30 June 2012 at 100 billion euros to hold at least 9% of equity "hard" core tier one .

Some 38% of this amount, which may not be officially published, should return to the three countries already under the aid program: Greece, Portugal and Ireland.

Banks will also mark their sovereign debt to market value and the institutions that will not comply with this set of rules will be banned from paying dividends to their shareholders and bonuses to their executives.

The bloc have also talked Saturday reactivation of the guarantees offered to banks in the fall of 2008 at the height of the crisis, enabling them to find financing in the medium and long term, said on the same source.

According to this, three models are being studied, with varying degrees of coordination between European security mechanisms.

GREECE

Ministers are also extensively revenues Saturday on the back Greek and how to make Greek debt sustainable in the long term.

According to a report that will serve as the basis for decisions of the leaders of the euro area, private creditors of Athens may have to accept a loss of up to 60% on their sovereign debt.

The EU finance ministers, however, remain divided on the voluntariness or otherwise of the private sector to the new rescue plan for Greece.

Fearing to trigger a credit event with unforeseeable consequences, France and several other countries are reluctant to go beyond the envelope of 50 billion euros negotiated last July 21 with the banks, as called for Berlin if necessary by forcing them to go the extra mile.

Friday night, Athens received a shot in the arm with the provisional go-ahead European payment by mid-November of the next tranche of international assistance by 8 billion euros, without which Greece would default on its sovereign debt in the coming weeks.

The IMF still has to validate itself as such payment, subject to his ambitious decisions of Heads of State and Government of the euro area to reduce the mountain of debt indefinitely.

EFSF

The last part of the discussions – the multiplication of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) – has so far been barely touched by the ministers, that would leave it to decide this question and leaders.

Friday night, Minister of Economy, Baroin, confirmed that France continued to believe that change the cash in bank was the best solution even if Paris does not make a red line.

According to several sources, Nicolas Sarkozy hopes to build on a broad international support to try to convince Angela Merkel, less than two weeks of the G20 summit in Cannes where international partners in Europe hold them accountable.

Granted a banking license in EFSF would allow access to funding from the European Central Bank to increase its capacity for action by a factor of up to five.

But Berlin rejects this possibility, which would be to accept that the institution of Frankfurt finance the countries of the euro area, one of the dogmas explicitly excluded by the European treaties since the creation of the euro.

The other members of the euro area are also divided, Belgium and Spain having voted for a reconciliation BCE-EFSF while Slovakia and Austria have indicated that this solution was not studied.

European leaders are under intense pressure by their international partners to take decisive action against the crisis.

Seb cleared to climb to 71.3% in Chinese Supor

October 18, 2011 - 3:35 pm Comments Off

Seb SA said Tuesday it had been allowed to increase stake in its Chinese subsidiary Zhejiang Supor Co, which will allow the French leader of small appliances to enjoy strong growth in Asia.

The group, which had signed a contract with the founding shareholders of Supor last February, will raise its stake from 51.3% to 71.3% in Supor for about $ 400 million.

The family kept a 12.5% ​​stake, the balance comprising the float.

The Board of Supor, which will remain publicly traded, will not change, headed by Su Xianze.

Seb, entered the Chinese capital in 2007, having realized the operation in the coming weeks.The green light for the operation followed a period of review conducted by the CSRC (Authority of Chinese stock market).

The action of the French group has closed up 1.07% to 59.41 euros on the Paris Stock Exchange, giving a market capitalization of 2.97 billion. It was down 23.6% since the beginning of the year.

Philips eliminates 4,500 jobs

October 17, 2011 - 1:55 am Comments Off

Philips Electronics said Monday it would cut 4,500 jobs after posting a net profit fall 85% in the third quarter due to higher raw material costs and restructuring charges.

The job cuts form part of a cost reduction of 800 million euros.

The world of lighting has also said it was considering various options for its television subsidiary, adding that negotiations with TVP to cede much of this activity was intense and constructive, but lasted longer than expected.

"In the event that a final agreement is not reached, Philips will consider alternatives," says CEO Frans van Houten said in a statement Monday.

Net income for the third quarter was 76 million euros against 524 million a year earlier. Turnover amounted to 5.394 billion euros against 5.46 billion.

The consensus of analysts polled by Reuters gave a net profit of 53.8 million and a turnover of 5.341 billion.

European shares plunge again

October 4, 2011 - 11:55 pm Comments Off

The lack of progress on the issue continued to Greek drive down European shares Tuesday. Paris has opened a decline of 1.44%. The trading floor in Frankfurt

The lack of progress on the issue continued to Greek drive down European shares Tuesday, all seats have opened lower. After closing sharply down Monday already, Paris began a decline of 1.44%, 1.72% Frankfurt, London and Milan by 1.40% to 1.43%.

Monday the New York Stock Exchange finished at its lowest for over a year: the Dow Jones lost 2.36% and the Nasdaq 3.29%. The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended Tuesday for his part still down (-1.05%), investors also feared a worsening crisis of the Greek debt and worried about the fall of the euro vis-à-vis the yen.

Meeting in Luxembourg, the finance ministers of the euro zone on Monday night decided to postpone decisions regarding new loans crucial to Greece, to which they have requested additional budgetary efforts. "European officials have once again been unable, despite the urgency to take concrete measures, merely simple ideas," said one Paris-based analyst who requested anonymity. "The increasing uncertainty about Greece feeding the search for security" in the financial markets, analysts have estimated the UniCredit in Frankfurt.

More contributions to banks to help Greece

The Paris market was also affected by a precipitous decline in Dexia, which reached up to 37% in early trade, after an extraordinary board left open the possibility of dismantling the Franco-banking group Belgian overtaken by the crisis.

The only concrete step: the second aid plan for Greece, 109 billion euros promised July 21, saw down an obstacle to its implementation. The members of the euro area reached after weeks of procrastination to a compromise on the guarantees requested by Finland in Athens. The new plan could also be modified to be greater involvement of banks, which suffer a discount greater than 21% so far on their claims considered Greek. But those ads were still insufficient to investors.The rest of the Asian stock markets were moving sharply lower Tuesday morning, the euro continued its decline, falling to its lowest level in a decade against the yen.

The market will follow the meeting on Tuesday, from 09am, finance ministers of the entire European Union. No major announcement is expected at the meeting mainly aimed at preparing the summit meeting between finance ministers of the G20 countries scheduled October 13 to 16.

The automotive market is more resilient than expected

October 3, 2011 - 9:55 am Comments Off

The French car market has limited its decline in September thanks to buoyant demand from individuals helped by aggressive marketing offers manufacturers a performance bodes well for the entire year if the economy does not deteriorate more.

The new car registrations fell by 1.4% year on year last month to 167,631 units, according to figures from the Committee of French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA).

In the first nine months of the year, the market still continues hex in positive territory (+0.2%), but continues to nibble advance acquired in early 2011 with the latest effects of scrappage.In August, it was up 0.4% since January.

"The market is slowly declining, but he resists, particularly at the request of individuals," said a spokesman for the CCFA, reached by telephone."For the full year, we now think it will be better than we anticipated -8/-10% that far, but we are recalculating the forecast."

The spokesman added that the anticipated decline in France in 2011 could be below 8%, but adding that corporate demand was "a great unknown for the predictions," because of questions about current economic conditions.

"BACK TO NORMAL TO CONFIRM"

Bernard Cambier, commercial director of Renault France, told Reuters that also performance in September for optimism for the French market.

"We could have been legitimately concerned about the economic and financial benefits for the consumer, but there is no impact for the moment," he said by telephone."Today, we are in a market -3/-4% and a surprise is not excluded."

At the auto show in Frankfurt last month, the commercial director of Renault Jérôme Stoll had found that the French market in 2011, waited down 4% to 6% would be closer to 4%.

The firm Xerfi, which provides a decrease of 5% of the market in 2011, stressed that the stability of nine months was obtained primarily through "aggressive policies of manufacturers", but the unknowns hanging over the rest of the year .

"The business climate is deteriorating with the excitement of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe and cures of austerity ahead in European countries, our major trading partners," writes Philip Gattet in a note."Businesses have an obsession: to preserve their cash and therefore reduce costs, including automobiles."

"The coming months will be more difficult, whether it be late 2011 or early 2012, mainly because of unfavorable comparisons," agrees Flavien Neuvy, Director of the Cetelem of the car. "But the market is very resistant, the return to normality is confirmed."

Renault and Dacia REBOUND

Illustration of this effect after the exceptional standards of public support, importers continue to gain ground.

The scrapping particular had supported the French manufacturers, specialized in small cars. In September, registrations of foreign companies increased by 5.4% against a fall of 6.2% for the hexagonal groups.Nissan (30.8%) and the German BMW (21.2%) and Volkswagen (14.9%) included from their game last month.

French side, Peugeot is the only (-25.3%), while Citroen saw its registrations fall by 9.4%, -18.4% for the PSA. Both brands have experienced group in September of supply problems live, but no explanation for the drop in sales last month was immediately available from the manufacturer.

Renault has for its part a rebound of 8.7% in registrations, sign of the return to normal by the already mentioned group in component shortages of diesel engines that have sealed sales months at a time.The diamond brand saw its registrations increase by 9% and the group's low cost brand, Dacia, rose 6.3%.

"The portfolio of orders is high because we can see now finally delivered," said Bernard Cambier. "And we still have 100,000 cars in its portfolio, two months of delivery."

In utilities, the registration of light vehicles, a barometer of local economic activity, fell 6.3% in September, while those of commercial vehicles, a reflection of trade over longer distances, increased by 25 9%.

European stocks sink

September 30, 2011 - 7:35 am Comments Off

Drawn down by banking stocks, European markets are still concerned about the debt crisis in Europe. Paris loses 2% in mid-day. A passerby looks at stock prices in Tokyo in March 2011.

European shares sank into the red at midday Friday, led by a sharp decline in banking stocks, the debt crisis still being equally felt, just before meeting French President and Prime Minister of Greece. In Paris, a negative analyst of the Swiss bank UBS, which has drastically lowered its price targets for Societe Generale, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole, who tipped the trend.

After opening up, to 10:20 GMT, Societe Generale and yielded 7.64%, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole 5.04% 5.20%.In Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank, which is the subject of persistent speculation about a profit warning, lost 7.61% and 4.04% Commerzbank. The statements of the finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, to the Bundesrat, is not expected to allay fears. "Our concern is that the situation on financial markets, which is worrying, could lead to a crisis in the financial and banking sector, with a great danger of contagion," he said.

Apart from these bad news for banks, the market was marked by profit taking, investors making final adjustments to their portfolios on the last day of the quarter, told AFP Yves Marc, managing actions in Global Equities. The bad inflation figures in the euro area, retail in Germany, private consumption in Japan and manufacturing activity in China as markets were firing down.After opening slightly down, went down during the growing morning. Towards 11:00 GMT Paris lost 2.06%, 1.69% in London, Frankfurt 2.84%, Milan 1.78% and 1.61% Madrid.

Overall, "the trend is still fragile," said Marc determined. The debt crisis is indeed a major source of concern, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou at 1500 GMT, to "take stock of the situation with him now facing Greece ". After the meeting, "(…) I have the opportunity to say exactly what is our strategy regarding the support that we need a European country like Greece," said Mr Sarkozy.The statement from the Elysee said that in the eyes of Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President, "It resolved the implementation of decisions taken at the summit of July 21 that will overcome the current difficulties the euro area ".

The three main creditors (European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund) came back from Greece on Thursday in the country, always in the balance, the payment of $ 8 billion a first loan in Athens in May, needed to avoid a default. After the vote of German and Estonian parliaments Thursday, it was the turn of one of Austria to comment Friday on the EFSF.

Europe's stock markets fell back after surge

September 28, 2011 - 9:35 pm Comments Off

European shares fell back Wednesday morning, after surging the previous day as investors await details of the measures under consideration to address the crisis of debt in the euro area.

At 10:27, the CAC 40 was down 1.24%, passing below 3,000 points to 2,985.96, having surged 5.75% Tuesday and 8.7% over the last three sessions.

"The market was excited about the ongoing discussions on the European financial stability," said Andrea Williams, at Royal London Asset Management. "But we are still far from agreement (…) We are underweight the banks for three months and we will not change our position."

Other major European markets, London and Frankfurt yield 0.8% 1.2%.Milan lost 0.99%.

The index of pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 was down 1.25%.

Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested Tuesday that the donors of Greece could change the second part rescue plan reached in July.

According to the Financial Times, differences have emerged regarding the agreement. Citing European officials, the newspaper understands that seven countries would like the private holders of Greek bonds spend more provisions.

Cyclical stocks and banks weigh on the trend, after leading the rebound yesterday. The banking index lost 3% in Europe and the auto index 1.9%.

In Paris, BNP Paribas dropped 4% and Societe Generale 4.8%.Credit Agricole sells 3.3% against a backdrop of speculation of imminent announcement.

Analysts expect a reduction in the bank's balance sheet.

The performance of the German government bond (Bund) and 10 years down to 1.93% and the euro is recovering slightly to 1.3610 dollars around.

France ready for "tough decisions" on the banks

September 27, 2011 - 7:55 am Comments Off

According to a "government source" quoted by AFP, the French government is considering "tough decisions" on aid to Greece and banks … but after the passage of the bailout by Germany. An encrypted connection that will boost the rumors.

There is something to speculate. While the French government Monday strongly denied any plan to bail out banks hexagonal, a government source quoted by AFP said Tuesday that the executive intends to take "tough decisions" for banks and assistance to Greece. Remains to be seen what these "tough decisions" and what the banks concerned.

"We must make tough decisions on Greece and the banks but we can not do it before that Germany has adopted Thursday the rescue plan," sources said the same source.The German parliament is to decide Thursday on expanding the envelope and skills of EFSF, the support fund for the euro area set up last year. German lawmakers should give the green light. Remains to be seen what would those "tough decisions" that can not be formally discussed before the decisive vote.

The vote of Germany, Europe's largest economy and biggest contributor to the fund with 200 billion euros of guarantees, should give a decisive impetus. While the implementation of this mechanism requires the approval of the rescue 17 members of the euro area and that some countries, like Slovakia, are still praying.

Should unemployment benefits cap frames?

September 3, 2011 - 1:55 am Comments Off

The UMP is considering the possibility of lowering unemployment benefits for top earners. Medef protests. Update on the controversy. The compensation of executives in unemployment in the viewfinder of the UMP. What exactly is the proposal of the UMP?

Speaking of "proposal" is a bit premature. It is rather a reflection outlined by Bruno Le Maire in an interview with L'Express, in the form of question: "Can we keep a system of unemployment benefits among the most generous in the world, especially for executives with high salaries? "asked the Minister of Agriculture, also supports the party platform for 2012. But this idea does not come from nowhere. It was brought by Peter Méhaignerie early years, in an interview with Marc Landre, Le Figaro journalist and host of the blog The Cartoon Network.And quickly put away in the closet.

Why is unemployment compensation cap frames?

Because the government does not know where to save money, and that the financial situation of the UI is poor: 10.5 billion euros of debt accumulated by the end of the year, and a deficit of 2 billion for 2011. Yet some executives, those who earn 11,000 euros a month and can accommodate up to 6000 euros per month. And for two years. The temptation is great to scrounge money from this population, especially as our European neighbors, the limits of compensation are much lower: 1400 in Spain, Germany 2200 or 1000 in Italy, as Marc Landré points.

It would still not a measure of social justice?

Difficult to present it as such … Managers reported more than they cost to unemployment insurance, as confirmed Unedic.Bernard Van Craeynest, the President of the CFE-CGC, for his part said on BFM TV "they account for 30% funding of unemployment insurance and consume roughly 15 or 17%." In fact, they are less affected by unemployment than other occupational groups and the contributions they pay are higher, since these contributions are a fixed percentage of salary and wages are higher. Lower the contribution limit would create a mechanical reduction of these contributions, and crop revenue so the UI, as outlined Laurence Parisot, president of MEDEF, against the proposal. Unless you do not reduce contributions … "It would be discrimination, an analysis of the trade union CFE-CGC. And it would be questionable in court for breach of equality, the principle is that you receive based on what you contribute."

Failures and lower start-ups in France

August 29, 2011 - 6:55 am Comments Off

Failures and start-ups fell by 3.5% and 21% in the first half in France over the same period last year, Coface said on Monday.

The decrease is due creations, according to the credit insurer, for a lesser interest in the status of entrepreneur.

The number of failures has reached 32,655, a level that is far from the pre-crisis, when the failures did not exceed 30,000 a semester, said Coface.

Only five sectors are increasing the number of failures, including transportation (9%), food (7%) and distribution (5%). Pharmaceutical, energy and agriculture and fisheries recorded in contrast to declines of more than 20%.

The number of jobs threatened by bankruptcy decreases by 7% over the first half of 2010.The failure of a company threatened 3.3 jobs on average in late June against 3.5 in late 2010.

The half saw a decrease of 19.6% in the number of creations, with nearly 320,000 new entities created, including 21% for businesses, which represent 85% of all creations.