International Headlines and Stories

The U.S. stock markets have moved from dark red to balance on Friday afternoon. Opening on a steep downward trend after poor economic data, the indices on Wall Street have reduced their losses after the speech of Barack Obama. Around 17:15, the Dow Jones down more than 0.25% at 12,210 points and the Standard & Poor's 500 yields 0.02% to 1300 points while the Nasdaq 100 round ahead by 0.25% to 2773 points. Thursday, Wall Street recorded a fifth straight session decline.

Barack Obama spoke Friday. He urged Republicans and Democrats to find a solution to raise the debt ceiling by 2 August, when the United States would find themselves in default if no compromise was found."We are very far from reaching an agreement, there are plenty of solutions," tried to reassure the U.S. president, stating that "any solution should be supported by both parties."

A dicours has reassured the markets but in the beginning of sessions, investissuers received three cold showers on.

The bad news on the front of the U.S. economy weighed heavily on the trend of economic growth the U.S. has slowed sharply in 2011 to 1.3% annual rate in the second quarter in a first estimate published Friday by the U.S. government.This growth rate, below analysts' expectations (1.8%), is particularly low given the significant revision of the first quarter, now estimated at 0.4% against 1.9% in June

A little later, more bad news: the U.S. consumer sentiment deteriorated more than expected in July, falling to a level not seen since March 2009, weighed down by rising unemployment and stagnating purchasing power, reveal final estimates of the survey Reuters / University of Michigan reported Friday.

In addition, economic activity in the Chicago area (northern USA) decelerated in July, according to the index released Friday by the professional association ISM, which stood at 58.8 against 61.1 in June

Moody's lowers rating outlook for Spain

Adding to the nervousness of the markets in Europe, the rating agency Moody's is considering lowering the rating of Spain. On the foreign exchange market, the euro was immediately dropped below the 1.43 dollar. Around 11:00, the European currency was worth 1.4276 dollars against 1.4324 dollars on Thursday night. Oil prices also retreated in the late morning. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery was trading at 117.10 dollars on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in London, down 26 cents from the close of Thursday.In electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of "light sweet crude" (WTI) for the same maturity fell by 52 cents to 96.92 dollars.

The side of values

Starbucks (-1% to 39.58 dollars) unveiled for the third quarter of its fiscal year profit up 34% to 279 million and a turnover of 2.9 billion dollars, up 12% and 8 % same-store thanks to an increase in traffic (6%) and average ticket (2%). CEO Howard Schultz commented: "We hope to achieve our EPS growth of 15% to 20% in fiscal 2012. ".

For his part, Metlife (1.48% at 40 and 40 dollars) recorded operating income of $ 16.9 billion, up 33%.Premiums and other revenues increased to 11.8 38U billion, following the acquisition of Alico, while investment income jumped 24% to $ 5.1 billion.

Chesapeake Energy (3.77% to 34.69 dollars) realized in the third quarter earnings per share of 0.76 dollars against 0.75 dollars excluding special items.

Expedia (3.48% to $ 30) recorded an adjusted earnings per share of 0.55 dollars in the second quarter against 0.44 dollar a year earlier. Revenues jumped 23% to $ 1 billion. Gross bookings increased 19% and the number of transactions increased by 15% while advertising revenues rose 27%.

McKesson (0.60% to 80.08 dollars) made from earnings per share for the first quarter of 1.27 dollar against 1.16 dollar last year and a turnover of 30 billion dollars in 9% increase.The company raised its earnings per share target to 6.09 – 6.29 dollars against a previous estimate of 5.55 – 5.75 dollars.

Motorola Mobility (-5.06% to 21.75 dollars) has issued an earnings per share for the second quarter of 0.09 dollars against a loss of 0.3 dollar per share last year. Sales rose 28% to $ 3.3 billion.

The 3700 points in the viewfinder will be investors in the Paris Stock Exchange on Wednesday. Yesterday, the Paris has managed to recover, ending on a rise of 1.21% to 3694 points. Operators should be encouraged by the good performance of U.S. markets, driven by advances in parliamentary negotiations in the United States for raising the ceiling on the debt. President Barack Obama for the first time reported "progress" in this debate, adding that the new Senate plan, presented Tuesday, was "consistent" in its approach. The Chairman stressed however that "not much time" before the deadline of August 2 to avoid a default. Wall Street was also good indicators for rasurée and industrial results better than expected.Asian markets were also sending positive signals this morning.

Time, however, should still be prudent on the eve of a crucial European summit for the future of the euro area. The heads of state are to meet Thursday in Brussels to discuss the bailout of Greece. Several proposals for involving the private sector are on the table.

In addition to this news, investors will learn in sales of existing homes and oil stocks in the United States. On the currency side, the euro is still down slightly against the greenback at 1.4139 dollar.Oil is, him up: a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in August takes 80 cents to 98.30 dollars and that of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery gained 69 cents to 117.75 dollars .

Values ​​to follow

Havas

The advertising group has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Australian Host, the first independent agency of the country, for an undisclosed sum.

Saffron

Tuesday the group received the green light from Washington for the purchase of American specialist of biometrics L-1 Identity Solutions. The agreement was announced last September for $ 1.1 billion in cash.

Laurent-Perrier

The group announced Wednesday an increase of 11.5% of its turnover in the first quarter thanks to a mix effect prices soaring and exports still strong.

Accor

The group was optimistic Tuesday in announcing an acceleration of organic growth in the second quarter due to increased occupancy rates and the gradual recovery of prices.

ADP

The group announced a 4.6% increase in passenger traffic at its airports in June, driven by growth across all trajectories with the exception of Africa and the Middle East.

PPR

Fnac, a subsidiary of luxury group, unveiled Tuesday a five-year strategic plan, called "Fnac 2015", which should enable it to boost sales after a disappointing performance.

EADS

Boeing, seeking to rescue a potentially very large contract with American Airlines, has offered to install a new engine on the current 737, while the airline is still considering a generous offer to Airbus. Moreover, the French military shipbuilder DCNS said Wednesday negotiate with the German Atlas Electronik the creation of a joint venture between their respective activities of underwater weapons, confirming a report in Les Echos. Atlas Elektronik is owned by EADS and ThyssenKrupp.

Biomerieux

The group announced the acquisition of French company Argene Molecular Biology and confirmed the objective of growth of its business year after an increase of 3.5% of its turnover in the first half of 2011.

Sanofi-Aventis

The Canadian Valeant Pharmaceuticals announced yesterday the signing of an agreement to buy the French laboratory marketing rights and distribution in Canada of a cream against osteoarthritis.

Manitou

The group raised its forecast Tuesday for 2011 after signing up 45% of its turnover in the first half despite the continuing difficulties of supply.

Always on the side of publications, sales of the first quarter of Alstom and the second quarter of Medica are expected before the market opens.After market, Unibail will present its second quarter results and Ubisoft will announce its earnings for the first quarter 2011-2012.

The player is used by default in the articles of figaro.fr. maj6

Nearly two in three French (62%) want that France is phasing to operate its nuclear plants. By adding the 15% of the population favored a quick halt French nuclear program, 77% of the French population is now opposed to this energy source. That is what emerges from the last Ifop poll, conducted from June 1 to 3 of 1005 people aged 18 and over, for the Journal du Dimanche. Only 1% of the panel interviewed did not comment. Supporters of a soft stop is at 74% of supporters of the Socialist Party, the Greens 61% and 37% of the UMP.

The German example

The gradual change of mentality of the French would not only result from the shock wave caused by the nuclear disaster in Japan, but also that of the German decision to phase out nuclear energy by 2022.Last Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, under pressure from Germany's Green Party, announced his decision to close the 17 German plants, within 10 years.

What might convince a few more French, interviewed after the announcement, the possibility for a developed country to live without this source of energy. Still, the German and French positions are far from comparable, France still produces 73% of its electricity by nuclear power, against 25% in Germany easy payday loans.

Stating his position on this issue, François Hollande, Socialist Party MP and the Corrèze Socialist candidate primary, moved elsewhere, always in the JDD, reduced initially by 75% to 50% dependence on French nuclear. For its part, Europe Ecology-The Greens called for a total abandonment of the atom.Final lesson revealed by the survey on Sunday, if the government is opposed to nuclear stopping, the UMP adhere less to this position, 55% of them sharing the wishes of their fellow citizens. These supporters are nonetheless the most pro-nuclear, with 37% of them advocating the continuation of nuclear program, and construction of new plants.

The state park is also hexagonal become less important to the French. Surprisingly, the hostility to nuclear power is indeed associated with the expression of any concern on the part of the French against nuclear sites. In total, 55% report little or not at all concerned about nuclear power, while only 44% a month ago.

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Not yet a candidate, Christine Lagarde was already the favorite to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn to IMF management, but two rivals have already expressed. Mexico will formally nominate Agustin Carstens, Governor of the Mexican central bank, said Sunday the Minister of Finance of Mexico. He "has the capabilities and qualifications to lead an institution of the importance of the International Monetary Fund," he said. Governor of the Bank of Mexico since January 2010, Agustin Carstens has been deputy director general of the IMF from 2003 to 2006.

Moreover, the Belgian Finance Minister, in office since 1999, Didier Reynders, said Sunday also be "of course" interested in the job. "These are functions that do not refuse," he added. But Europeans seem more a united front around the candidacy of the French Minister of Finance.This weekend, his candidacy has received the support of Germany and the United Kingdom. The Congo would also like to see take the job.

In France, Martine Aubry said yesterday that the appointment of Christine Lagarde at the head of the IMF "would be a very good thing for our country and for Europe." However, Francois Bayrou is against, saying "do not approve economic policy which was followed by France" and lamenting that "Ms. Lagarde was the main actor of the case Tapie.

In a joint statement, Australia and South Africa have called Sunday a nomination on merit, not nationality.A position shared by the representative of Switzerland to the IMF.

After the resignation of IMF Managing Director, accused of attempted rape by the American courts, nominations for his successor will be officially opened on Monday, and until June 10

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The restructuring announced by giant ThyssenKrupp has obviously taken over the political authorities in Germany. Christian Wulff, German Federal President, showed his annoyance by canceling his visit was to perform Sunday at the site of the new steel giant group in Brazil.

This production unit, located next to Rio de Janeiro is very important for ThyssenKrupp. It cost more than EUR 5 billion, making it the largest investment in its history. In addition, the visit must be conducted by Heinrich Hiesinger, the chairman of ThyssenKrupp. The refusal of Christian Wulff is a setback for the German group.

It is true that the political authorities, which are historically very close to the leaders of the steelmaker, may be concerned by the magnitude of the restructuring announced on Friday morning.ThyssenKrupp will sell or restructure almost a quarter of its turnover, more than 10 billion euros of business. 35,000 jobs are concerned, a little over 177,000 for the whole group.

Diversified industrial group

It's not about job cuts outright, but transfers or outsourcing. Nevertheless, all these activities are not profitable and negative consequences on employment in the future are possible. In addition, ThyssenKrupp executives have said for months that they wanted to improve their credit ratings by agencies. A will rarely compatible with social concerns guaranteed online payday loans.

The announced restructuring will not profoundly change the profile of ThyssenKrupp, which appears more like a diversified industrial group than as a pure steelmaker. In this activity, it occupies today as the twentieth largest in the world.But it is also present in the elevators, with a position of world number three, shipbuilding, automotive and construction of turnkey plants.

The new group's strategy is not to focus solely on the business of steelmaker. The announced measures do in fact only two activities: steel industry and automotive equipment. In this division, three companies, which together 2.2 billion euros in billings, will be transferred while two others, also posting 2.2 billion euros of turnover, will be met, before being eventually sold or find a partner.

The most important movement, however, concerns the branch "stainless steel", that ThyssenKrupp will transform into an independent company. This activity is the leading European, with a turnover of 5.9 billion euros.During the year ended last Sept. 30, it lost 57 million euros. Of the 35,000 people affected by restructuring the steel industry alone employs 11,000 employees. This activity is likely to be observed carefully by German politicians, because the area is known to concentrate in the coming months.

For the first time, New Frontiers publishes a booklet dedicated to stay in France. The tour operator offers such a night in a chateau in Burgundy with bike rental, a week traveling with half-board in Britain, a tour of Paris in a 2CV … For three weeks, mostly sold and weekend getaways weekends in Paris from 75 euros per person in double room for two nights cruise on the Seine included. "For a long time in France we welcome customers from foreign tour operators, said Jean-Baptiste Delsuc, production manager at Nouvelles Frontieres travel. We hope that the French have the reflex to go as a travel agency for holidays in France. It's a gamble.Budgets are 4-5 times lower than for distant trips, but for the majority of the French. "

Lack of "resorts"

This summer, due to unrest in North Africa, more French will remain in France. "Traditionally, 27 million French spend their holidays in France every summer, according to Didier Arino, Chief of Staff Protourisme. But this year, unless an increase in late bookings for Tunisia, they are more likely to remain in France. "

Tour operators must adapt, but they face the French who took the habit of doing without them. They spend more than two-thirds of their family vacation, with friends or in their second home. Moreover, "the French tend to think they know as much as professionals on tourism in France."Notes Didier Arino, The Hexagon also lack of "resorts" are capable of accommodating a large clientele no fax needed payday loans. However, to reference offers, tour operators are looking volume.

"Long, tour operators have not sought to sell the destination France, because it is more interesting for them to market mass travel abroad, where margins are higher, said Christian Mantei, director general 'Trump France. Result, only 5 to 10% of French people go through a travel agent for vacation in France. "The Pierre & Vacances group Center Parcs, the leading tourist residences in France, it also carries about 80% of its sales Direct. "It will be difficult to change habits, but some market share to take on well-identified niches, such as skiing and spa," says Christian Mantei.Didier Arino also believes the future of theme holidays: œnotourime, river cruises, stays fitness or sports … Lands of Adventure, hiking specialist in small groups, carries 10% of its turnover in France , its first destination. Each year, the tour operator is to walk 6,000 customers.

"France is the top-selling destination, with 18% of our business," says Jean-Pierre Mas, president of Afat Selectour, which has 1,300 travel agencies. That little knowing that over 70% of the French spend their holidays in France! "This network of agencies primarily sells short stays in amusement parks (Euro Disney, Futuroscope, Parc Asterix), tourist residences and winter sports holidays. "We're starting to sell camping and caravanning, as Framissima Soustons Nature," says Jean-Pierre Mas.

The Energy Minister, Eric Besson, who attended Friday at Matignon in a meeting on the theme of soaring energy was delivered this Sunday on Radio J, a change in the calculation of gas prices . Keeps the current formula, partly indexed to oil prices, should indeed lead to a further price increase on 1 July. An increase that could go wrong with consumers who are already undergoing an increase of 5.2% in early April, an inflation of 20% over one year and 60% since 2005.

"The government's objective is very clear: it is, in a context of rising energy prices at the international level to protect the purchasing power of the French," said Eric Besson, who considers "unacceptable" the continued the increase could reach 7.5% under the current formula.The new method of calculation should be offered "in the coming weeks" after the arbitral panel Matignon and the Elysee Palace.

Since early 2010, the energy group GDF Suez, owned 35% by the state, which offers fares. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) then verifies that the prices are consistent with the formula. But the government may "ask" GDF Suez does not apply the increase. The CRE has pronounced itself in recent days to a new formula for calculating rates to better reflect market prices (spot prices) at the expense of long-term price listed in the contract supply that GDF has signed with major suppliers. The spot prices now account for about 10% in the scale used.The regulator calls for increasing this proportion "as the market price continues to be lower than the average import price from the long-term contracts no credit check payday loans."

Curb rising fuel

Eric Besson else said the government was worried about soaring fuel prices. To curb the rates that affect the household budget, he plans to "make use" petroleum distributors.

He said he was "technically very difficult, if not impossible" to establish a "social tariff of gasoline, already ruled out last month by the Economy Minister Christine Lagarde. He believes, however, can mitigate the impact of soaring fuel prices, adding that discussions were under way but without giving further details on the nature of the contribution that would be applied to oil tankers.He also refused to talk to a tax on profits groups. "If we adopt a measure for the poorest households, it is necessary that, in one form or another, contribute to petroleum distributors," he said, referring only arbitration "in the days to come." Prices at the pump have been drawn up in recent weeks by revolts in Libya and the Middle East who have blazed the price of crude oil. In March, the super unleaded 95 had reached a high of 1.5179 euro parlitre.

(With AFP)

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Pay by phone, we talk about it as a promising technology but the market struggled to take off in France. According to Les Echos published on Thursday, Google has partnered with two leaders in the market of payment terminals, French and U.S. Verizon Ingenico to continue his research on this project.

Still experimental, the NFC for Near Field Communication "helps pay for purchases with a mobile phone equipped with a chip adapted. According to Bloomberg, Google plans to test the next four months, the use of these new payment terminals in shops in New York and San Francisco and then to extend the trial to the cities of Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington DC.

21% Ingenico terminals sold

At Ingenico, NFC weighs more heavily in sales: The manufacturer stated a few days ago that its sales of contactless payment terminals in 2010 accounted for 21% of handsets sold, up 50% one year.

At the Paris Bourse, the French manufacturer's partnership with the giant Google has been welcomed by investors: one hour after the opening, title Ingenico climbs 4 no fax pay day loans.94% to 27.94 euros.

Other groups are organizing to floor on the development of this technology that will better know the buying habits of consumers and offer more targeted ads.Thus, Apple also offers services to transform its Ingenico iPod touch and iPhone into means of payment with a solution called "ISMP".

The latest example, the Franco-Italian STMicroelectronics, a supplier of secure microcontrollers, and smart card manufacturer Gemalto French announced Monday a partnership to jointly develop services based on NFC technology.

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A few months before the end of his term – and then she is a candidate to succeed himself – Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of Areva, on Thursday presented the annual results scrutinized by the market. The year 2010 the French group is the world leader in nuclear contrast: while the net profit group share jumped over 60%, but this performance is largely attributable to the gain of 1.3 billion euros performed on the occasion of the sale of the transmission and distribution – divided between Alstom and Schneider.

But the operating profit shown in the red for the first time since the group's inception in 2001: the loss stood at 423 million euros, against a gain of 97 million in 2009.Two factors explain these difficulties: firstly, the delicate construction of the EPR in Finland, which required an additional provision of 367 million euros, on the other hand, the depreciation of mining assets of the group, s' has resulted in a provision of 426 million euros. All these provisions have been recorded in the first half of 2010, but in the case of mines, however, adding it took 126 million euros.

The – many – who oppose the reappointment of Anne Lauvergeon not fail to exploit the operating loss. Signs in their eyes, the president of Areva hard to conduct large-scale projects, even though the French nuclear industry seeks to invest in many markets abroad.Meanwhile, his opponents regularly stigmatize a deteriorated relationship with EDF, its partner of choice.

Backlog

In the camp of Anne Lauvergeon, the interpretation of the situation is obviously different. The CEO of Areva does not mask a "structurally difficult period, marked by a lot of investment, construction of a range of reactors and the scheduled end of the activity Eurodif (the uranium enrichment plant located in the Rhone Valley). " But she said the course and completed the transformation carried out since 2001. Enough to create, insists the president a lame duck, "a dynamic in which the group will soon reap the benefits.

Anne Lauvergeon underlines the progress of the order book for 2012 with the dual purpose of a turnover of 12 billion euros and an operating margin in double digits.In addition, a new order of the reactors is expected in the coming months, "in a country other than China or India."

Regarding the relationship with EDF, Anne Lauvergeon welcomes the conclusions of the last nuclear policy, "which has normalized the situation." The fact that the EPR is built in the reference product of the French sector and the lack of fundamental questioning of the integrated model of Areva underpin about the president's nuclear group. She is delighted that finally work towards the rebuilding of a great strategic partnership with EDF "progressing well". In charge now for the woman to win the battle for its renewal. She looks extremely tight.