If analysts have recently lowered their forecasts for the group in front of the lower aluminum prices, Alcoa will announce earnings for the second quarter, against a loss last year. The title Alcoa ended Friday at 10.94 dollars, up 2.05%. The volley of U.S. results will continue this week with the technology companies Google, Advanced Micro Devices or Intel, and banks JPMorgan and Bank of America. Citigroup and General Electric will unveil their findings Friday.

Renewed investor confidence

Pending these publications, it is time for optimism in the U.S.. The Dow Jones closed up about 0.57% Friday at 10,197.19 points while the Nasdaq advanced 0.97% to 2196.45 points. Among the good news that restored investor confidence late last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its forecast for global growth for 2010 at 4.6% against 4.2% estimated in April.

Analysts polled by Reuters predict the results of the groups listed on the S & P 500 will emerge up 27% for the second quarter, more than the 22% increase posted during the first three months of the year. "We are seeing one of the occasions of the highest profits in history," said David S.Bianco, chief strategist for the United States at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, interviewed by The New York Times. According to him, he must go back to the Great Depression of the 30s to see such a rebound.

Markets should also respond well to the results to be published in Europe, where the decline of the euro against the dollar is favorable to businesses. "Like the U.S., figures released by the European companies will be rather positive," said Vincent Treulet, head of investment strategy at BNP Paribas AM. "The second quarter was dynamic on both sides of the Atlantic, compared to the second quarter of 2009." Figures released this week will quantify this improved profitability. And reassure the markets, accordingly.

The speeches of leaders scrutinized

In this context, however, uncertainty haunts the minds of economists. The expected rebound in profits he heralding an improvement on the employment front, at a time when companies continue to cut costs to improve their productivity? "We can expect that the outlook announced by the companies are more optimistic that the sentiments expressed by employees and households," said David S. Bianco.

Beyond the quantitative assessments of companies, are the speeches of leaders who will focus the attention of investors and dictate the trend on stock markets. And this, in the U.S. and Europe. Some experts expect however that these comments remain rather vague. Companies may place more emphasis on the lack of visibility."It could indeed disappoint the markets in the medium to long term," according to Vincent Treulet.

Analysts too optimistic?

Especially as the expert anticipates a slowdown in growth for the second half of 2010. In addition, many operators believe that analysts, encouraged by the good figures for the first quarter of 2010, advance estimates too high for 2011. "The consensus view that corporate profits would exceed the peak reached in 2007, which seems overly optimistic," says the strategist at BNP Paribas AM.

Businesses now report what scenario they anticipate. In France, the dance of publications of the second quarter and first half will open July 22, with STMicroelectronics. Some companies, however, reveal their sales figures this week, including L'Oreal on Monday after the close of trading Thursday and Carrefour.

The offer of this year, specializes in the management of infrastructure and telecom companies, valuing the securities ECS 210 million, the dividend 2009. The transaction will be financed by a particular acquisition debt of 120 million euros. Following the transaction, Societe Generale will own 9% of ECS and "remain a privileged partner" the bank wrote in a statement.

The group Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), currently owned 100% Societe Generale, is present in 17 countries, mainly in Europe, and has 1,500 employees.In 2009, it achieved a consolidated turnover of 840 million euros and EBITDA of 28.1 million euros.

Becoming number one

The operation "is a genuinely unique opportunity to strengthen Econocom very significant position in all its markets in Europe" said Jean-Louis Bouchard, president of the economic group in a statement. "We could be the first European group of independent management of technology infrastructure manufacturers and operators with the ambition to become number 1 mobility services to businesses," said he.

With nearly 4000 employees and a turnover of 1.6 billion euros, the new entity would have "the skills and means" according to Jean-Louis Bouchard.The statement said the group would benefit from strong complementarities and the reconciliation process would be facilitated by "the cultural closeness of the teams, and ECS Econocom having the same founder, Jean-Louis Bouchard.

At the Paris Bourse, the Société Générale loses 2.70% to 33.375 euros on a market down 1.90%.

However, the method of extinguishing device is controversial. Women fulfilling the criteria required before 1 January 2012 may still benefit. But the financial conditions will be much less favorable for all those who file their application from 13 July, the day of presentation of the bill in the Council of Ministers.Article 18 provides in effect that from that date, it is the rules of retirement for the year of birth of the mother who count, not those of the year it has fulfilled the two conditions family size and length of service.

Protective provisions

Specifically, "So far, a woman born in 1962 and in 2002, had three children and fifteen years of service, could leave with the rules in force in 2002, before the reform Fillon said Brigitte Jumel (CFDT) . The amount of his pension was then strictly proportional to the number of years of contributions, divided by 37.5 years. If she filed her case on July 13 or after, these are the rules for the 1962 cohort will apply.Consider a calculation 41.25 annuities, with the reform announced last week, and especially a discount for all the missing years, as foreseen by the law Fillon.

The Secretary of State for Public Service does not deny these provisions but ensures that they are actually "protective". It is in effect six months from the filing of the application for retirement and the first payment of pension. And what are the rules valid at the time of liquidation, not when the application is submitted, that apply. That explains the entourage of the Secretary of State George Tron, without this clause "of 13 July," an official who filed his case last May, to go in November – a period when the law on pensions should be entered into force – would have been applied to the methods of calculation less favorable.It is therefore intended, provides the government to "cover" all mothers who wish to leave by the end of the year.

This remarkable evolution follows the statement released Wednesday by Valeo, in which the group calls itself "confident" in achieving its goal of doubling its operating margin compared to 2009, notified on 24 February. The group is therefore an operating margin of almost 4% of its turnover in 2009 against 1.8% and 2.7% in 2008.Just in the first half, Valeo anticipates an operating margin approaching 6%, the highest rate on a semester during the last eight years.

Nomura to buy rest

The supplier table, moreover, still for the first half of 2010, on a turnover of around 4.7 billion euros, an increase of about 35% compared to the first half of 2009. Consensus Thomson Reuters, meanwhile, put on a turnover of 8.2 billion euros for the group in 2010 with an operating profit of 301 million, which would result in a margin of 3.67%.

This perspective reinforces the analysts at Nomura, in their recommendation to purchase the title. They said the current valuation of Valeo offers significant upside potential and thus provides a good buying opportunity. Nomura sets the price target to 35 euros.

"There is a French project that builds on the success of Nestle Pure Life," said Le Figaro Hubert Genieys, communications director of Nestlé Waters. The group is "by the summer" to make a decision. The weather also seal the fate of Aquarel spring water to Nestle family launched in 2000 with sales in France have not taken off.And that could eventually be replaced by the French version of Pure Life Pure Life.

Nestle Pure Life is tested in twenty supermarkets size of Le Mans and Angers, the two largest test markets in Europe, as announced last month our colleague Ray beverage. The test should be completed in the coming days, once the remaining stocks sold. "The book starts slowly," says Jean-Marc Renaudin, head of the radius drinks Leclerc Angers. "It's a grain of sand against a mountain!" He adds, referring to sales of Cristaline: the market leader – sold € 1.02 pack of six 1.5 liter bottles – sells 25 30 pallets per week (2800-3360 packs), while Pure Life, which costs twice as much, capped at half a pallet (32 packs) … In times of promotions (- 50%), however, sales may go up to four half-pallets in a weekend.In Intermarché of Le Mans, the permanent discount on Pure Life (1.02 euro) cut the lead in sales (which reads from one to ten) with Cristaline.

The linear congested

"It is completely below the cost price, these prices will not last long!" Fumed Peter Papillaud majority shareholder group Alma (Cristaline Vichy Celestine, St Yorre, etc..), Which gives the winning Figaro 0.33 euro per bottle, without promotion or communication, through reduced shipping costs to a minimum. Since he has seen at Le Mans last month, the posters of Pure Life, Peter Papillaud still furious. He campaigned against Nestlé with its distributor customers.Until patterns of signs to which he recalls that they allowed, with Cristaline, "not to lose money on the waters first prize."

The placement price of one Pure Life is strangely reminiscent of Aquarel (2.95 euros per pack of 6), a time sponsor of the Tour de France, with which Nestlé wanted to become a leader in Europe. Number two in Spain, and number three in Hungary, Aquarel never exceeded 1.5% market share in France. In several large areas of Le Mans and Angers, it has already disappeared from the shelves for almost a year. "In France, in a particularly unfavorable brand now boasts good performances, however, below our expectations," said Hubert Genieys."Aquarel suffered a mid-range position, caught between an actor unbeatable pricing and what Cristaline mineral water like Evian, Volvic and Vittel that provide reinsurance, analysis Bernard Malik, a partner the firm Roland Berger.

This does not Nestle to think big. He hopes to replicate the success story in France Pure Life number one in the United States, Egypt and Jordan, number three in Turkey and Shanghai. His recipe: low price, strong networking planning and adaptability to local consumption patterns. Launched in 1998 in Pakistan, the water present in 28 countries is natural in France, addressed to the U.S., desalinated in the Middle East, remineralized in some countries. For five years, she has an annual growth of 24%, but its presence in northern Europe is limited to Great Britain and Germany.Nestle's dream to find a recipe for anti-crisis on the French market.

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His European counterparts also suffer, while banking stocks enroll the largest declines, everywhere.

This reflects the renewed concern about the economic health in Europe, barely a week after the European plan negotiated the titanic last weekend.Further evidence of the uncertainty room, the euro broke the 1.25 dollar, which had not happened for 14 months. Gold coast near 1,240 dollars per ounce. Unheard-of. And oil is under $ 74 a barrel.

Banks underperforming in Europe

In Italy, while the FTSE-Eb hollow losses and was down 5.26%, many bank stocks are at the bottom of the list: in order, Mediobanca, 4.50% to 6.15 euros Banco Popolare, 6.21% to 4.16 euros, UniCredit, 6.27% to 1.81 euros and Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's leading bank, yield 5.11% to 2.18 euros.

In Spain, same old story. The Ibex 35 largest market capitalizations falters 6.64%, and banking sector heavyweights weigh box. Banco Santander, the second largest bank in Europe, falling 9.28% to 8.31 euros.BBVA folds of 7.58 euros to 8.78% and 6.46% of Bankinter at 4.7 euros.

The Dax in Frankfurt – the index of 30 companies the biggest German stock exchange down 3.12%. But again, it is Deutsche Bank, which is at the bottom, falling 4.15% to 48.75 euros. The boss, Josef Ackermann, questioned the ability of Greece to repay its debt. And Commerzbank sells 4.13% to 6.10 euros.

In Belgium, KBC retrograde 5.48% to 30.85 euros and Dexia 5.63% to 3.6 euros in a market down by 3.46% for the Bel 20. And in Switzerland, UBS depreciates 2.83% to 0.10 euros and the financial group CS Group lost 4.08% to 33.23 euros.

The bank still frontline

Fears of a state unable to feed its fiscal risk of lowering its rating by a rating agency.But what are the financial institutions in a country with the largest of government securities in the portfolio.

Generally, capital financial institutions required to hold an asset also depends on the "rating" (the note) of the issuer of this title. If it deteriorates, the capital required to hold a state title will be more important.

As banks are exposed to Treasury securities, profitability and solvency is lowered … hence the fall in stock.

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The group returned to profit, which reached 20 million euros against a loss in 2008 of 428 million cash advance to savings account .The Board of Directors of Sequana propose to the AGM on May 19 to pay a dividend of 0.35 euro per share.

Outlook 2010

This year, Sequana plans to reduce costs and achieve superior operational performance to that of 2009. Also one of his goals is it to pursue its debt reduction that has already fallen in 2009 to 140 million euros to 651 million.

The NYSE is cautious on the eve of the monetary policy meeting of the Fed. The Fed should keep its no surprise key interest rate near zero and reiterate its commitment to maintain a low level for a "prolonged period". More than the rate decision widely expected, investors will scrutinize the speeches of leaders of the U.S. central bank.They watch for a possible change in tone or vocabulary that could be the harbinger of early recovery in interbank rates, especially after raising the discount rate last month.

In this atmosphere, the figures for industrial production go unnoticed. However, the latter rose in February by 0.1% from the previous month, while analysts believed it had stagnated.

The surplus balance of U.S. capital flows to long-term investments declined in January to $ 19.1 billion against $ 63.3 billion the previous month, according to data published Monday by the Treasury Department .

Greece returns to the heart of concerns

In addition to this national event, the U.S. financial markets keep an eye on the statements that filter the meeting of European finance ministers on Greece.On Monday and Tuesday until tomorrow, they must define the details of plan using Greek estimated at over 20 billion euros.

But the markets seem to regret the lack of clear announcements about it. This anxiety is the euro down. The European currency loose 0.75% to 1.3669 dollar. In turn, the rise of the dollar penalizes values to raw materials.The oil companies Chevron (-0.73% to 73.16 dollars) and ExxonMobil (-1.14% to 66.04 dollars) were penalized by the decline in oil prices payday loans for bad credit .

The maker of construction equipment Caterpillar gave up 2.12% to 59.08 dollars and aluminum producer Alcoa 1.10% to 13.45 dollars.

Wal-Mart stands

Amylin Pharmaceuticals climbed 15.25% to 23.35 dollars, boosted by the announcement that the FDA does not need more data on its anti-diabetes drug.Boston Scientific has screwed him for 13.24%, after stating that he was stopping the sale of a defibrillator.

The energy sector was also facilitated by the acquisition of sites for exploration and production of shale gas from Dominion Resources (0.28% to 39.58 dollars) in the Appalachians, to 3.475 billion dollars in cash by Consol Energy (-9.96% to 48.62 dollars).

Wal-Mart was distinguished with an increase of 2.76 to 55.39 dollars, supported by higher recommendation to "buy" by analysts at Citigroup.

The title of the parent company of Calvin Klein, the Philips-Van Heusen, jumped 10.08% to 52.56 dollars. The group will buy the brand of leisure wear Tommy Hilfiger in UK investment funds Apax Partners.

Google (-3.42% to 559.74 dollars after opening under $ 565) could close its search engine or a part of its activities in China.Google Chinese news should be limited to official newspapers. 36% of Google revenues in China are related to its search service. "Baidu, its main competitor, would be the main beneficiary of the partial withdrawal, analysts said Aurel BGC.

The Pentagon has dismissed the accusations of protectionism could give time for EADS to prepare a rival bid by the Boeing (-1.07% to 69.08 U.S. dollars) contract for refueling tankers.

The results of FedEx for the third quarter are expected Thursday. The numbers of specialist courier services is considered a leading barometer of business activity. Titles rise of 1.09%, to 87.12 dollars.

The outcome was expected, since some sources close to the matter had acknowledged that the proposed strategic merger was stalled. The French manufacturer had to be majority stake in its Japanese counterpart.

But the results from Mitsubishi – the Japanese carmaker reported Wednesday a net loss of 25.7 billion yen (195 million euros) over the first nine months of fiscal year 2009-2010 decreased by 29 3% – and the level of recovery action deemed "overvalued" by PSA eventually convince a capital alliance would not be appropriate.Philippe Varin, outside the motor show, said he wanted to maintain "financial strength" of the group.

PSA was confirmed in December of discussions for a "strategic partnership", according to information from the Japanese press that the French group was preparing to buy 30 to 50% stake in Mitsubishi Motors.

Both manufacturers have nevertheless confirmed that they will continue their industrial cooperation, particularly in "the environment and products," said the president of Mitsubishi. In an interview with Echos on Wednesday, the president of PSA has raised the possibility of building with the Japanese automaker a "small car, which is sold under our three brands, like the 4×4 today.

The French automaker announced last February 10 a net loss of 1.161 billion euros in fiscal 2009, more than three times more than the 363 million euro loss a year ago. The turnover amounted to decline from 10.9% to 48.417 billion euros.

Mitusbishi Motors closed up 0.76% at the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 0.31% to 10,253 points.

The group's employees placed in bankruptcy protection since September, and reiterated recently by the group atmospheres, hope to obtain supra-legal benefits greater than those granted after the works council on Monday.For while 20 stores were saved by the recovery, the closure of 25 other lead 140 redundancies.

A strain devoid of aggression "

"The night [passed to company headquarters in Villepinte] went very well. They are still retains, in a friendly atmosphere, "said Fabrice M?nard, union CGT (majority) pay day loans . In turn, the CEO said last night that the constraint exercised by the employees was "devoid of aggression," and that the situation was "not annoying".

Employees require a half months of salary per year of seniority. Management, however, limits his proposal to a month for five years seniority."The supra-legal claims are being negotiated, nobody will be cheated of his rights, had assured the CEO Monday, pending a meeting Wednesday with Claude Ben Behe, Chairman of the Board of Directors of F?rfina, principal shareholder of Pier Import. The Industry Minister Christian Estrosi said Tuesday morning on LCI it was the duty of government to "ensure" that a "way forward" is found for each employee, but said he can not be "real negotiations when there is violence."

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