News – Business & Economi

CGT plant ArcelorMittal proposes to transform the site into electric arc furnace. Since its closure, Grandrange is regularly pointed to by the left as one of the failures of Nicolas Sarkozy.

CGT plant at ArcelorMittal Gandrange (Moselle) presented Friday a draft EAF, which the union could "save" the site where a mill still operates steel supplied from Germany. "We offer ArcelorMittal to invest 120 million euros in the construction of an electric furnace to supply the local mill," said Jacky Mascelli to reporters, one of the leaders of the CGT at the factory Grandrange. "To produce the steel that we now come to Duisburg (Germany), we propose to use the scrap produced in the region, notably by the automotive industry," he said.  

For the CGT, the factory "integrated" (steelmaking-continuous casting-rolling) "will guarantee the sustainability of the site Gandrange" which still employ about 350 steelworkers, against more than 1,000 before the closure of the steelworks in March 2009 . The project presented Friday by the CGT looks like that the union had presented in March 2008 and which already provided for the construction of an electric oven "scrap all" to enhance the mill crowns and bars Gandhinagar, one of the only active for long products in Europe. The draft will now be "carried" by the Left Front, several representatives were present Friday in Lorraine.

Since its closure, the steelworks Grandrange is regularly pointed to by the left as one of the failures of the quinquennium of Nicolas Sarkozy. February 4, 2008, following his marriage to Carla Bruni and after a highly publicized visit to the factory Moselle, the president pledged to support the state "all or part of investment required "to keep the mill operating.

The pump price rose further, setting a new record. A slight decrease is expected, however, thanks to milder weather.

The price of gasoline in service stations continue to soar and reach new highs that could revive the debate on the control of labels at the pump with the approach of presidential elections.

According to data released Tuesday by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the price of a liter of unleaded 95 euro rose to 1.5787 at the end of last week. That of unleaded 98 (whose sales are much lower in SP95) rose to 1.6184 euro. Both well beyond their previous records set only a week earlier (1.5640 euros / liter and 1.6022 euros / liter). Gas oil meanwhile rose to 1.4180 euro per liter Friday against 1.3960 the previous week. But it remains below its high of the year (1.4240 euro on Jan. 13), and its record in spring 2008 (1.4541 euro). These sales prices are national averages calculated by the Directorate General for Energy and Climate (DGEC) from data provided by service stations.

Since late 2011, gasoline prices prance record after record in France, powered by a dual effect of geopolitical tensions (Iran, Nigeria …) that keep crude oil prices at very high levels, and the weakening of the euro against the dollar, which boosts the cost of black gold once its converted value in the single currency.

The outbreak has already made waves in its presidential campaign. The Socialist candidate Francois Hollande proposed last month a "temporary blocking of gasoline prices," accompanied by restoration of the TIPP floating. The majority swept the idea of ​​such measures, described as "solution of the past".

Hope to decrease with rise in temperature

Interviewed on RTL on the soaring prices at the pump just before the announcement of the last record, the CEO of Total Christophe de Margerie said Tuesday that the best way to lower gasoline was to invest in finding new deposits. "The more oil, the more prices will be kept low," he said, criticizing the way the idea of ​​a price freeze. "For any product, it's not a good thing to lock in prices" and "this is automatically the state budget will suffer," he said. Total's boss noted that his group controlled a little less than 20% of French stations, and over half of them set their own rates.

He also estimated that prices could fall thanks to the current warm spell. "In the short term it may fall, when it's warmer, prices drop, today one of the reasons among others of higher pump prices, it's climate, weather extremes we known in recent times, "said Mr. de Margerie. "If the euro also firmed, it will drop, but overall as in all businesses, (the solution, note) is to get more raw materials," he said.

Diesel sales represent about 80% of French consumption of motor fuels, the unleaded 95 just under 15% and 98 unleaded around 5%.

European stock markets have reduced their losses Tuesday after the session to finish close to balance, investors hoping for a swift agreement on Greece's second bailout of the country .

In Paris the CAC 40 index managed to stay above the threshold of 3,400 points, taking 0.14% to 3,409,90 points after spending much of the session negative territory. In Frankfurt the Dax gave 0.16%, while the FTSE in London lost 0.03% Pan-European and Euro Stoxx 50 index has been 0.25%.

A Greek government official reported that Athens was finalizing a document that outlines the reforms demanded by its lenders in exchange for the payment of the second plan bailout of 130 billion euros.

On currency markets, this information has boosted the euro, which reached its highest since mid-December.

The Stoxx Europe 600 bank of erased its losses to finish up 0.47%, with gains between 1.2% and 2.1% for BNP Paribas, Societe Generale and Credit Agricole.

Conversely, UBS fell 1.44% in volume fed. The Swiss bank fears a difficult start after reporting lackluster figures for its fourth quarter 2011.

Swatch has lost nearly 4% after announcing an operating profit of 1.61 billion Swiss francs in 2011, slightly below expectations.

On Wall Street, the Dow, the S & P and the Nasdaq composite earn around 0.2% to 1630 GMT.

Bunds have erased their gains on the information of progress towards a political agreement with Greece on the financial rescue of the country.

The Euribor fell to new lows of 11 months in prospect of another massive injection of liquidity into the banking system by the European Central Bank, at its next auction paper to three years scheduled for late February. 

The euro has climbed more than 1% to 1.32708 to the dollar on the electronic platform EBS, its highest level since mid-December.

"The information from Greece to Athens remove an obstacle to alleviate short-term and massive credit risk, which is positive for the euro," noted Boris Schlossberg director of currency research at GFT.

Brent crude rose around 116 dollars a barrel, still carried by the cold wave in Europe, tensions on Iran's nuclear program and turmoil in Syria.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange closed up 1.1% Monday, posting a higher closing three months, driven by good performance of the U.S. labor market.

The Nikkei gained 97.27 points to 8,929.20 points and the Topix broader took 9.16 points (1.2%) to 769.85 points.

"It's pretty good for exporters," said Nicholas Smith, a specialist at CLSA Japan, commenting on the monthly report on employment in the United States that showed Friday that unemployment had fallen ; to its lowest level in nearly three years.

Panasonic has taken the title of the session 6.34% after touching a low of more than 30 years Friday, in response to a forecast of record annual loss amounting to ; eight billion euros.

The European Union has increased the pressure on Sunday in Athens Greece quickly establishes a government of national unity and implement the measures included in the second bailout of the country, saying that membership in the euro area was Thurs

"We called for a national unity government, is convinced that it is the convincing way to restore confidence and to honor commitments," he told Reuters Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economic and monetary.

With the announcement of a proposed referendum on the bailout plan, since abandoned, Greece had broken the bond of trust that binds to its European partners last week, which called into question his membership in the euro area, he said.

But the country has apparently abandoned the strategy of the edge, Olli Rehn said in a telephone interview.

"There have been efforts to Athens to restore that trust and we need a compelling report on the subject of the finance minister Evangelos Venizelos tomorrow during the Euro."

The 17 finance ministers of the euro area can be found Monday evening in Brussels for a meeting of the Eurogroup.

NEGOTIATIONS TO ATHENS

Olli Rehn was speaking Greek political parties then negotiated fiercely on Sunday a coalition agreement may prove to other countries in the euro zone as Greece is determined to continue on the path of austerity to avoid bankruptcy.

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.

The next summit of the euro zone is not enough to permanently resolve the debt crisis, warned Friday German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"There is no single solution, there is no solution 'big bang'," she told the annual conference of the German trade union IG Metall in Karlsruhe.

She added that a discount on the debt of Greece was not a panacea either.

Angela Merkel also reiterated his skepticism about the effectiveness of any "Eurobonds".

"They do not constitute a panacea," she said, holding that "the current situation, they would not help."

Arnaud Montebourg is the arbiter of the final duel between Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande in the Socialist primary. It requires commitment of both candidates on his favorite themes: the de-globalization, the moralization of finance and the renovation of political institutions. Decryption. Arnaud Montebourg received 17.2% of the votes in the first round of the Socialist primary, Sunday, October 9.

He is the man most courted of the week. With over 17.2% of votes in the first round of the Socialist primary, Arnaud Montebourg can tip the vote of the electorate to the left in the second round, Sunday, Oct. 16, in favor of either Francois Hollande (39, 2% of the vote) or Martine Aubry (30.7%). The deputy of Saone-et-Loire is also raising the stakes: the champion of de-globalization conditioned its support for consideration by the two contenders of his campaign themes.He waits, before deciding to know the positions of mayor of Lille and the member for Corrèze on four themes: "industrial protectionism, financial control, the Fifth Republic and the fight against corruption," Does detailed it in an interview with Liberation. The ideas of Arnaud Montebourg can they find their place in the curricula of Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande? In part, yes.

The fight against corruption

Behind the term corruption, Arnaud Montebourg is of course the dirty business of French politics – the case Karachi, suitcases and of course Ziad Takieddine Guerin splashing the PS of the Bouches-du-Rhone, but also tax havens. The deputy of Saone-et-Loire wants to dismantle tax havens. To do this, he advocates a ban on transactions originating in or destined for the territories.He wants to force French companies have subsidiaries in tax havens to be closed and will repatriate "hidden money" in these territories. It also promises to "severely punish" evasion.

If they have not been a major theme of their campaign, Francois Hollande and Martine Aubry are widely separated positions Montebourg in this area. The two finalists in the primary would also like to strengthen the fight against tax havens. The project also calls for the PS to prohibit banking secrecy within the European Union.

Financial control

Throughout his campaign, Arnaud Montebourg has been the voice of the struggle against "financial chaos". He argues for "dirigiste measures and prohibition." He wants to dismantle such rating agencies and offers in return for establishing a European public rating agency.He also advocated the establishment of an authority markets at European level and the merger of European stock exchanges to avoid unnecessary competition. Montebourg also argues for a 0.1% tax on financial transactions European … being adopted in Europe For banks, the deputy of Saone-et-Loire wants to "put under trusteeship." This would, he said, with an entry "authoritarian" state to the board of financial institutions, with a veto. The first act of the state would force them to separate their banking and retail banking.

Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande agree to force banks to split their activities. However, they are less enthusiastic about the proposal to enter without consideration to their governing body. This can be done, according to two candidates, if the State recapitalize banks.The tax on financial transactions in Europe and the creation of a European public rating agency proposals are included in the proposed PS. No word, however, on a possible merger of the exchanges.

Industrial protectionism

It's his hobby: the "de-globalization" – even if it does not use that word in the letter he sent to Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande. Arnaud Montebourg advocates the introduction of a carbon tax outside the borders of the EU imported products reflect "fair carbon cost, health and social", coupled with a carbon tax "within the Union European "encourage" companies to change their ways of producing. "The deputy of Saone-et-Loire advocates also provide France with an anti-dumping: a mechanism for unilateral ban certain products to market (non-EU) "in case of aggression by trade unfairly low prices."

On this subject, Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande are more cautious. The mayor of Lille prefers to speak of "fair trade" and "globalization safer." Specifically, it supports the creation of a tax "social and environmental planning at the entrance" of the products manufactured outside the EU. François Hollande speaks for his "new rules" of world trade, negotiated with other European partners, with "taxation" or "entry ban" of certain products, particularly from China. But according to the member of Corrèze, protectionism and autarky are not adequate responses.He believes that restoring the competitiveness of lights and the establishment of a genuine industrial policy are the best weapons against the adverse effects of globalization.

The Sixth Republic

For ten years, Arnaud Montebourg defends a change of constitution. The Sixth Republic is calling for that allocate roles between "a president who will, a government with the fullness of his powers and a Parliament with enhanced supervisory powers including the opposition." It would be a strong focus on popular initiative referendum, would end the impunity of the head of the state and would prohibit multiple directorships.

Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande do not return to their account the change of Republic but are in favor of a "modernization of political life." The mayor of Lille is to prohibit multiple directorships.She wants to introduce more proportionate in the national and local elections. Francois Hollande said that he will "put the institutions on their feet" "with a president who presides over a government that governs, a parliament that legislates." PS The project also plans to set up popular referendums.

Finally, proposals for Arnaud Montebourg are certainly more radical but not so far removed from those of Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande. "Do not overestimate the differences between Arnaud Montebourg and the other candidates. Arnaud used a more aggressive tone, but it is not necessarily become global justice. The measures that are advocated in the socialist family," concludes Olivier Ferrand, president of Terra Nova, the think tank of the PS.

Representatives of small and medium sized French companies remain alert to changes in credit conditions, they warned Tuesday after a meeting with banks Tuesday to the Ministry of Economy.

The fear of a credit crunch, a danger often referred to as the English "credit crunch" has increased in recent days against a backdrop of falling bank stocks on the stock market and worsening crisis of sovereign debt.

"We are very vigilant," he told Reuters Etienne Bernard, chairman of SOHO-SME-ETI MEDEF, the French employers' organization first.

"In early September, we find, by clear feedback from the field, as banks ask lots of questions" for entrepreneurs, including their need or not unused credit lines, he added. "This questioning creates some anxiety."

Indicators presented by the Bank of France show a healthy distribution of credit, at least until July. But more recent data are not yet available.

"An annual growth of credit to SMEs beyond 4.8% was recorded in July," the Ministry of Economy in a statement."During this period, compared with the rest of the euro area, growth in credit to all businesses in France is much more dynamic (+4.5% against +1.6%)."

At the meeting, the Secretary of State for Small Business, "Frederic Lefebvre asked the representatives of banks to the financing of small and micro businesses a top priority," the statement said.

French Banking Federation (FBF) has ensured that banks were heavily involved with businesses.

"French banks have confirmed that they were doing their outreach, especially for SOHO / SME, a priority.They are determined to continue to provide funding for the economy as they have always done, "says the FBF in a statement.

The professional craft Union (UPA) has meanwhile welcomed the government intervention "to prevent a drying up of credit in small amounts."

She said in a statement that "loans of small amounts, often less than 25,000 euros, are the fuel companies."

"Remove that access to credit would sacrifice many companies on the altar of the crisis. A suicidal act when we know that crafts and local shops are among the sectors that have best weathered the crisis of 2008 and who saved many jobs, "continues the UPA.

Financial markets of the Old World still hesitant on Tuesday morning. They fall one after the other, after all, however, opened up. European stock markets lost between 2.44 and 0.21%, to 10.15.

European stock markets remain extremely volatile on Tuesday morning. After starting up, they dive back one after the other. Paris gives 2.44% to 10.15, Frankfurt 0.21% 0.30% Milan, London and Madrid 0.71% 0.35%. While few minutes after the opening, Frankfurt gained 1.6%, London and Paris 0.78% 0.66% and 2% took Milan and Madrid 1.24%.

The announcement of a possible intervention of China on the European debt market appeared to calm the fears of some investors. Italy is in fact in talks with Chinese sovereign wealth fund CIC about the buyback, according to press reports.

But the Greek case and fears about U.S. growth continues to angst investors and banks to shake the very battered in recent sessions, due to their exposure to sovereign debt. The idea of ​​a default Helvetic returned in force in the financial markets. It has even been suggested directly by the German Minister of Economy Philipp Rösler, in an interview with Die Welt newspaper.

"Avoid default uncontrolled"

Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, felt the need to "avoid any uncontrolled process in the euro area", referring to a bankruptcy of Greece as it is discussed with emphasis in Germany these days."The first priority is to avoid a default unchecked, because it would affect not only Greece, and because the risk that affects us all, or at least many other countries, is very high," Detailed Chancellor in a radio interview Inforadio.

The NYSE has to when she rebounded late in the session Monday. The Dow Jones finally won 0.63% and the Nasdaq 1.10%. In Asia, Tokyo ended Tuesday's session up 0.95% due to bargain hunting, after the Nikkei closing at its lowest for two and a half years yesterday. Monday, major European stock markets had yielded between 1.60 and 4%, and recorded two consecutive sessions of decline.