All World

Aid to Greece: an important vote on Thursday in Germany

The green light from Germany, expected today, will be symbolic and decisive. The expansion of the powers of the European Financial Stability (EFSF), with 440 billion euros, as decided on July 21, is one of the keys to the debt crisis in Europe. But it requires the agreement of seventeen members of the euro area.

After France, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Slovenia, the Finnish Parliament yesterday approved the building.But Finland has still not clear what the additional security that it intended to apply to Greece in return for future loans could be guaranteed in the country.

In fact, while the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn, said two weeks ago that all States in the euro area have ratified the project at the end of the month, the cacophony in the field is law.

Slovakia has postponed its vote on October 25. His prime minister supports the expansion of missions of the Fund, but are still strong disagreements within the governing coalition. Member of the euro area since 2009, was the only country to refuse to participate in the first loan to Greece last year. And the head of Parliament is prepared to "torpedo" the project."My goal is to ensure that Slovakia will lose billions of euros ( business card…) The European Union does not need our money," he said.

The specter of bankruptcy

Because Greece is still afraid. Czech President Vaclav Klaus, interviewed by American television outside of the last UN General Assembly, said without hesitation that perfectly imagined that "a country so in the euro area." He added: "I'm afraid that European leaders are still spending lavishly to Greece."

An opinion widely shared by Austria, which must meet its Parliament on September 30, and whose foreign minister recently said that one could legitimately "consider bankruptcy of Greece."Like all small countries that have not voted – Cyprus, Estonia, Malta – he ensures that he wants to rely on the results of discussions between Athens and the Troika (ECB, Commission, IMF). But the finance minister said although this ultimate solution is "better than a rescue too expensive."

ALSO READ:

"Barroso scratches Berlin and Paris on governance

"The calendar extension to the euro area

"Rescue of the euro: Paris ready to go further

"Greece" no alternative "to the second aid plan, according to Baroin

Optimism in the Paris Bourse

Monday's rebound continues Tuesday in the Paris Bourse. The CAC 40 has started on a flying then accelerated pace. Mid-session, he climbed 3.55% to 2960 points. Elsewhere in Europe, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is 3.36%, London and Milan 2.22% 2.79% while the pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 index 3.09% wins.

Since the beginning of the week, investors won over by a wave of optimism about the outcome of the debt crisis in the eurozone. The spokesperson of European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn Olli Rehn, Europe is considering strengthening the capacity of the European support fund for countries in trouble (EFSF). Rumors press also reported a proposed quadrupling of the Fund's lending capacity to 2000 billion euros. In turn, an official of the ECB, the Austrian Ewald Nowotny, did not rule out declines in interest rates in the euro area.But soon, the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said that Europeans had "no intention of bailing out" the EFSF.

The Spanish Minister of Economy Elena Salgado also said Tuesday that an increase of two thousand billion euros in the capacity of the European Support Fund "was not on the table." Political leaders are clearly divided on the concrete responses to the debt crisis, while discussions on the payment of a new international loan to Greece, vital to enable it to avoid bankruptcy dragged on. At the same time discontent rises and Athens was again paralyzed Tuesday by a wave of strikes in public transport.

More good news, the constraint on bank lending is beginning to loosen.The private sector credit grew by 2.6% year on year in August in the euro zone, against 2.4% in July. Loans to households grew by 3% in August, while consumer loans to individuals have declined only 1.6% against 2% last month according to figures released Tuesday by the European Central Bank (ECB) . Moreover, housing starts for new homes in France, climbing 8.1% year on year for the period from June to August. However, they mark a slowdown from earlier this year: the pace of growth in the first quarter was still 35.5%. The number of building permits for new homes has increased its share by 9.8% year on year for the same period.

The euro was weakening on Tuesday to below $ 1.35. At midday, the euro stood at 1.3496 dollars, against 1.3523 dollars late Monday.He had fallen in session Monday to 1 paydayloans.3363 dollars, its lowest level since mid-January, prior to recover. As for commodities, gold has recovered slightly this morning at 1640 dollars an ounce after declining over the last three sessions.

Values ​​follow:

The banking sector is driven by rumors of recapitalization.BNP Paribas advance of 9.25%, largest increase in the CAC 40 7.46% Credit Agricole and Societe Generale 8.55%.

Total (2.97% to 32.25 euros) reduced the number of banks in which it deposits funds for fear of a credit crunch in the euro zone, but remains confident in the French settlements, said its chief financial officer the agency Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal.

The CEO of Renault (4.20% to 25.30 euros), Carlos Ghosn, said on Monday to Reuters that he saw no sign of slowdown in global demand despite the debt crisis in Europe and economic uncertainties in the United States.He expects an increase in car sales in the United States in 2012.

The title of the French automotive supplier Aries (18.64% to 7 euros), specialized in the production of aluminum parts, flew Tuesday in the Paris Bourse, with a net income higher than expected in the first half (6.7 million euros, up 31.3%).

Thales (2.08% to 24.58 euros) for its part plans to sell part of its services activities, according to Les Echos on Tuesday. The division, which last year made 81 million euros in sales, employs approximately 500 people. Logica names and GFI Informatique circulating among potential buyers.

Dexia (6.09% to 1.48 euros) is facing a complaint from the town of Rosny-sur-Seine (Yvelines), which has borrowed toxic.The mayor filed a complaint for "organized fraud" and "deception" with a civil court of first instance of Versailles against Dexia Credit Local.

Ipsen (3.56% 22.57 euros) was acquired from the Norwegian pharmaceutical company Photocure marketing rights of Hexvix, its flagship product for the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

The retailer Casino (2.29% to 57.13 euros) saw its price target reduced from 81 to 74 euros by HSBC. Land areas (4.54% to 50.73 euros) for his part saw the recommendation on its title upgraded to "buy" against "hold" earlier by ING.

Neopost (4.05% to 57.23 euros) will release its results for the first half after market.

ALSO READ:

"Week crucial for Greece

Yet the conditions for a sustainable rebound

• The stock market environment is in many ways more fragile than in 2008

After the capitulation market in recent days, many investors are wondering whether it is time to return the purchase. Beyond a simple technical rebound, the chances of quick recovery courses are limited for the simple reason that the current stock market is in some ways more fragile than in 2008. Signs of slowdown are multiplying in the United States, Europe could enter recession in the coming months, and the deterioration in manufacturing activity in China shows that the theory of decoupling between emerging and rich countries no longer holds the ramp. Response capacity of government to stimulate consumption are practically nil, and the effect of accompanying policies of central banks has reached its limits.The current crisis comes mainly from the usual market issues related to the level of market valuation or the correction of excesses after a period of intense speculation. The epicenter of the crisis is now in the euro area, with governments overwhelmed by the level of public debt and unable to agree on the management of their common currency. The solution to these difficulties lies in the hands of "political" and not in the trading rooms and in business. This is what the operators despair!

• The core business is a real force that

The recovery will be difficult, but much of the bad news began to be integrated into the course. The precipitous decline of the indices shows that the Exchange has already taken a good step ahead of the crisis.A CAC 40 to 2800 points means, for example, that investors expect an increase, not corporate profits, but a 30% drop in profits in 2012. This pessimism is starting to become excessive, especially for industrial groups, such as Air Liquide, Schneider Electric and Michelin, a strong presence in emerging markets where business slows but does not decrease instant personal loans guaranteed. The same goes for business as L'Oreal, Essilor International and Pernod Ricard, which have strong brands and where margins are not challenged. The treatment of more defensive companies, such as France Telecom, Sanofi, or GDF Suez, also reached its limits.These values ​​offer attractive yields of between 10 to 6%.

• The plight of the shareholders of the banks could come to an end

In three months, the market value of the three largest French banks, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas, has been halved. This collapse is comparable to the fall in prices occurred after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Investors have punished the weak provisions made in the accounts to meet the commitments of banks in the peripheral countries of the euro area and a general loss of confidence in respect of institutions in the euro area. Far from scaring the market, the rumor of a possible entry of the state in their capital in the form of preference shares is now likely to reassure investors.10 to 15 billion euros to recapitalize matter which it would lead to a "dilution" of shareholders limited. After the destruction of 50 billion capitalization in the summer, the amounts mentioned are already largely taken into account by the markets. Bank stocks will certainly remain under pressure, but the plight of their shareholders might come to an end.

ALSO READ:

"Investors remain on the alert

"The Paris Bourse is expected to remain on guard

More than 200 cities in Ile-de-France to screen

Capital has become expensive, the Parisians are more likely to succumb to the charm of the suburbs. Consequently, the prices of old apartments (June 30) have soared over 15% year on year in the inner suburbs, with peaks of 20.5% in Courbevoie, + 20.3% in Montreuil, + 19% Boulogne-Billancourt, + 18.4% in Maisons-Alfort … Increases that will not last forever, however, predict notaries, holding that the creditworthiness of buyers is not without limits. In outer suburbs, the increase was over one year wiser (+ 7.2% for older apartments, 6.4% for houses), sufficient in all cases to clear the hole in 2009. But in the second trimester 2011, the market for old apartments fell by 0.7% in Seine-et-Marne, 0.8% in the Essonne, 1.3% in the Val-d'Oise .. . One department in four, Yvelines, remained in the green (+ 1.7%).The beginnings of a turnaround?

"Selling price of old houses in the second quarter of 2011 (Part 1) (pdf)

"Selling price of old houses in the second quarter of 2011 (Part 2) (pdf)

The CAC 40 expected sharply lower after Fed

Concerns about the health of the U.S. economy may once again to weigh on the markets in Paris. In the wake of Wall Street the day before and Asian stock markets this morning, the CAC 40 is expected to open sharply lower at least about 2%, according to forecasts, having already fallen by 1.6% in the previous session.

Markets should sanction and the decision of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) on Wednesday. In fact, the Central Bank of the United States announced new measures to support the U.S. economy. It will sell well here in late June 2012 for $ 400 billion of treasury bills and short-term buy for the same amount with a longer maturity in an attempt to lower interest rates in the long term (an "Operation Twist").To support the mortgage market, it will also acquire real estate securities without increasing the size of its portfolio, according to the Committee.

However, markets did not appreciate his verdict on the economy, noting the "continuing weakness" of the labor market, with an unemployment rate of "high" of 9.1%, coupled with "significant risks "related" tensions in global financial markets. " "The opinion of the Fed on the economy is deteriorating a lot and it seems it can not do much with the Republicans (he) asked not to intervene," says Yutaka Miura, analyst at house brokerage Mizuho Securities, the Dow Jones Newswires.

Thus, the market had expected better, especially after worrying about the International Monetary Fund.The day before, the institution headed by Christine did not hesitate to raise the specter of a global recession and launched at policy makers in the world "a fervent call to action". At the same time the institution has significantly downgraded its growth forecasts for the global economy. This is expected to grow 4% in 2011 as in 2012, 0.5 points below its previous forecast of 4.5% last April.

Beijing sees its manufacturing activity deteriorated

To this must be added the emergence of concerns about the economic situation in China. Manufacturing activity in the country has deteriorated in September, reaching its lowest level in two months, according to preliminary PMI bank HSBC said on Thursday. PMI Purchasing Managers calculated by HSBC in September reached 49.4 against 49.9 in August, knowing that a figure below 50 means contraction."We are seeing a moderation in growth as in the past two months. Fears of a hard landing of the Chinese economy are unjustified, "said in a note Qu Hongbin, the chief economist for China at the bank.

In addition, investors are increasingly worried about the evolution of the crisis of public finances in Europe no fax cash advance. Greece announced Wednesday its intention to launch new austerity measures to convince the Troika and obtain payment of a new tranche of 8 billion euros in October that will allow it to avoid bankruptcy.

On the foreign exchange market, the dollar was up against the euro. It was worth 1.3544 dollars per euro, against $ 1.37 the day before in Asia.Oil falls as himself down under the effect of a rise in the dollar and pessimistic forecasts from the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) for the world's largest economy.In early electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for October delivery gave up $ 1.21 to 84.71 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery lost $ 1.26 to 109, $ 10.

On the macroeconomic front, France, the index of labor costs in industry, construction and service sector in the second quarter will be released at noon.

In the U.S., the weekly claims for unemployment benefits will be unveiled at 14.30, and the composite indicator of economic activity for the month of August in 16 hours.

Earlier this afternoon, the markets also expect the statements of Robert Zoellick and Christine Lagarde, respectively president of the World Bank and IMF Executive Director, at the opening of the annual meetings in Washington

Values ​​to follow

• Banking

BNP Paribas, which has seen its share price unscrew more than 50% in three months, may request assistance to private investors understood the Financial Times. Analysts said that the institution may seek to raise up to EUR 2 billion from investors from Qatar and Abu Dhabi. However, an assumption that sweeps by the Director General of the bank Baudoin Prot.Investors also will keep an eye on Societe Generale and Credit Agricole.

• Saint-Gobain

The group has conducted Wednesday through placement of a bond issue in two tranches for a total of 1.75 billion euros with an average maturity close to six years and an average coupon of almost 4% in the refinancing of debt specialist construction materials. The transaction was heavily oversubscribed as the order book has reached the aggregate for the two tranches over seven billion from nearly 400 investors.

• Danone

The company launched its next bond issue of € 500 million due 2016.

• BioAlliance

The group announced Wednesday the confirmation of the clinical trial schedule Livatag against the primary liver cancer, starting with the pivotal Phase III in 2012.The company also reported a residual income of 1.02 million euros in the first half.

Wall Street resumes height

The day after a session in the red, the U.S. stock markets end up the way to higher Tuesday. In early trade, the Dow gained 0.37% to 11,446 points, the Nasdaq advance of 0.45% to 2625 points and the S & P is 0.40% to 1209 points.

The progresison remains very cautious. U.S. operators, like their counterparts in Europe and Asia, remain very concerned about the issue of sovereign debt in Europe. They fear a contagion to other countries considered fragile in the euro area.The decision of Standard & Poor's lowered by one notch to "A +" to "A" note of Italy, due to low growth prospects, has just added to the failure of the meeting this weekend of European Ministers of Finance have failed to agree on a new loan to Greece, still under the threat of default.

The question of the future of Greece will remain central today. In Athens, after an initial conference call Monday night, a new meeting between the Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos and representatives of the troika of the country's creditors, European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, to be held tonight . Their verdict depends on the payment in October of $ 8 billion from the loan made last year in the euro area country and the IMF.Manna vital for the country to the brink of bankruptcy.

Pending around the Fed meeting

Hopes for recovery of the market, worried about the economic downturn hitting the United States and Europe, are now placed in the meeting of the Federal Reserve (Fed) which starts today and will end tomorrow.

The fears are in fact more and more vivid on the other side of the Atlantic, where Barack Obama announced a plan to further reduce the deficit of 3000 billion Monday, financed half by an increase in taxes for the rich, did not produce any relief.

On the macroeconomic front, the U.S., housing construction has increased its decline in August, falling to its lowest level since May, according to official figures published Tuesday in Washington.

Mergers and acquisitions continue

The side of values, the French computer group Bull and American Technologies CA (0.09% to 21.24 dollars) Tuesday announced an alliance to facilitate the switching of heterogeneous enterprise IT infrastructures to the Internet and the "cloud" ( cloud computing).

The Internet giant Google (-0.10% to 546.12 dollars) bought DailyDeal, German site group purchasing established in 2009 business cards design. Google, which offers this service for U.S. consumers, seeking to expand its presence outside the United States to reach the largest number of users and compete with its rivals in the field as Groupon.The amount of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The U.S. stock market watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) encourages U.S. companies to transparency regarding their income abroad, reports the Financial Times. The SEC, which has made this his new battle cry, drew particular groups such as Dow Chemical (-0.73% to 27.54 dollars) or Caterpillar (-0.28% to 84.36 dollars) share more information with investors.

After the close of Wall Street, Air Products (0.10% to 81.66 dollars) has announced a new share repurchase program of $ 1 billion.

The mergers and acquisitions also continue to multiply.According to reports the Times, Blackstone (-0.45% to 13.26 dollars) would buy with Prestige Brands of America (-0.73% to 9.46 dollars), a portfolio of non-prescription drugs worth £ 2 billion, owned by GlaxoSmithKline (0.07% to 41.54 dollars).

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (0.90% to 44.13 dollars) and Azur Pharma Ltd. (will merge to create Jazz Pharmaceuticals Plc, a pharmaceutical company based in Ireland and listed on NASDAQ.

Also in the pharmaceutical sector, Varian Medical Systems (1.16% to 53.05 dollars) will buy Calypso Medical Technologies, a company specializing in monitoring tumors during operations radiosurgery and radiotherapy for $ 10 million and contingent payments.

However, ConAgra Foods (0.21% to 23.44 dollars) withdrew its offer of Ralcorp Holdings (-0.23% to 75.06 dollars) due to "lack of constructive dialogue with Ralcorp."

Others are preparing to pass the act as Home Properties (-5.61 to 58.70 dollars) will conduct a capital increase of 5.25 million additional shares to finance "its external growth and new real estate development projects. "

Also note, a Court of Appeal in the United States lifted a court order blocking the payment of compensation of $ 18 billion by Chevron (-0.69% to 98.03 dollars) for environmental damage in the Amazon.

In addition, three complaints were filed against IBM (+0.11% to 173.32 dollars) from the European competition authorities, including one by a French company, have been abandoned, it was reported on Tuesday the European Commission.

Markets relapse, the CAC 40 lost 3% to 2940 points

The Greek crisis can not stop producing its adverse effects on the markets. Monday, the Paris Bourse had another session black. The CAC 40 has raised the red flag at the opening. He then widened its losses for most of the session. At the finish, he loses 3% to 2940 points.

Even gloomy atmosphere on other European financial centers. In Frankfurt, the Dax lost 2.83% and the FTSE in London has sold 2.03%. The ill wind has also blown on Wall Street. Sitting in the Dow Jones fell by 1.93% and the Nasdaq 2.06%.

Last week, European markets had experienced a brief respite, hoping significant progress on the issue of Greek debt. But the meeting of European finance ministers on Friday and Saturday in Poland ended in failure.They have postponed any decision on the October installment of a new tranche of 8 billion euros to Greece, which desperately needs the money.

Banks on the front line

The markets welcomed the news calmly. "Despite the need for action, European leaders continue to show slow and have not yet ratified the measures promised July 21," observe the experts Saxo Bank guaranteed high risk personal loans. But for the strategists of Aurel BGC, the markets will continue to brood, "as investors will not feel that a lasting solution was found for Greece."

Trying once again to reassure the French Minister of Economy Baroin said that the issue of a default of Greece, feared by some observers was "not a working hypothesis" in the zone euro.Investor caution was also reinforced by the expectation of two important deadlines in the afternoon. A teleconference between the Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos and the Troika, "between the European Commission, the ECB and the IMF. In the U.S., investors sifting through the intervention of President Barack Obama, who introduced new measures to reduce the deficit amounting to 3 trillion dollars. Bank stocks were again at the forefront. BNP Paribas lost 5.48% and 6.70% Societe Generale.

Darty advantage of the web to gain ground

Darty seems to have found the parade. In France, the company has "re-recorded a performance superior to the commercial market," said the British parent company Kesa. In other words Darty has taken market share from its competitors. And thanks to strong growth in sales darty.com, which rose by 18%. "This growth is profitable," said Thierry Falque-Pierrotin, managing director of Kesa. The website, which became commercial in 1999, now accounts for 12% of the turnover of the group. Globally, sales of Darty fell 3.7% between early May and mid-August.

"The beginning of the year was difficult," says Thierry Falque-Pierrotin. Involved, the lack of major sporting event like the World Cup football last year which had boosted sales of televisions. "Conditions should remain still difficult for some time," added the CEO.According to GfK, sales of consumer electronic products fell 11.3% in the first half in Western Europe.

The distributor hopes to continue to succeed at the game perfecting his model. "We are professionals and will further improve in-store assisted sales and other services. We install, for example, listening zones in our stores to test the helmets, "says general manager. The company is also continuing successfully its growth in the kitchen. Market entry in 2007, Darty offers these products in 21 stores of 223 and plans to do the same in another 11 outlets by the end of the year. "As in our other segments, we want to offer good price and good service in the kitchen. This strategy has already allowed us to gain market share ", says Thierry Falque-Pierrotin.

Fifth session straight gain for Wall Street

After closing up Thursday evening, the U.S. stock markets have struggled to stay in the green Friday. They finished this week on a fifth consecutive session. At the close, the Dow gained 0.66% to 11,509,09 points, the Nasdaq is 0.58% to 2622.31 points and the S & P 500 climbed 0.57% to 1216.01 points.

Investors focused on news from Europe. After the announcement, positively received, a new agreement between central banks to provide dollar liquidity to European banks and Japanese eyes were riveted to Poland which is a meeting of EU finance ministers.The latter have formally agreed on the principle of strengthening fiscal discipline by imposing financial penalties on countries too lax, paving the way for formal adoption of this reform.

In contrast, the euro area and again stumbles on the guarantees requested by Finland in exchange for new loans in Athens, an issue that poisons relations within the euro area.Concerning the payment of a further tranche of loans that the country urgently needs, the euro area has decided to postpone any decision until October.

Invited exceptionally, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has also expressed concern about the divisions between governments and the European Central Bank (ECB).

U.S. consumer confidence rises

In this context, the "four witches" today is to say the expiration of four types of futures contracts on indices and stocks, have increased volatility.

Good news, however, helped keep the exchanges in positive territory: U.S. consumer confidence rises, according to the index of consumer confidence in September, published by the University of Michigan.The index, which fell in August to its lowest level since November 2008, increased 2.1 points to 57.8, according to a still provisional estimate for September. Analysts were waiting a little lower, at 56.3.

Oil has closed lower Friday in New York, suffering from profit taking less reassured investors that the day before on the likelihood of a quick resolution of the debt crisis in Europe.A barrel of "light sweet crude" for October delivery ended down $ 1.44 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, to 87.96 dollars a barrel.

RIM collapses

On the corporate side, Research in Motion (- 18.99% to 23.93 dollars), the maker of BlackBerry smartphones, collapsed after publishing quarterly results fell sharply, well below analysts' forecasts.

The rating agency Moody's said Thursday it placed under surveillance notes of the bank UBS (+ 4.16% to 11.89 dollars) with for a potential degradation due to "weaknesses in the management of risk group. "

At the heart of the news, Google (+ 0.76% to 546.68 dollars) has purchased additional patents in 1023 the computer company IBM (1.55% to 172.72 dollars) to strengthen its portfolio and attempt to discourage trial for violation of intellectual property.Google expects the other hand that the number of Internet users in India to be tripled in three years through improved access to wireless internet and at prices more affordable smartphone, reported on Friday Wall Street Journal.

Boeing (1.49% to 65.28 dollars) could finally respond to the order by Air France-KLM of 110 long-haul aircraft, including 50 firm orders, builders Boeing and European Airbus to ensure the renewal of its fleet.

French companies are socially responsible

"When we look at we are sorry but when you compare it to console," says the adage. A new proof of this is given with the release today of two studies on corporate social responsibility made by the social rating agency Vigeo.

This company, founded ten years ago by the former secretary general of the CFDT, Nicole Notat, analyzed the performance of 539 European companies listed on non-discrimination in employment.She also compared how these 363 companies had managed the restructuring that had taken during the crisis.

In both cases, France takes the lead of countries that best meet the basic standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) concerning freedom of association, prohibition of forced labor and child employment seniors … "This does not mean that French companies have no way to go, but just that they behave better than others," Nicole Notat nuance.

Danone number one

To note the management of corporate restructuring and practice of non-discrimination, the bloodhounds of Vigeo analyzed their managerial systems based on three items: the relevance of political behavior, the consistency of their deployment and effective results.Finally, French firms are better informed and consulted, where social, employee representatives "before and during the restructuring process."

No fewer than four of them are in the top 10 most responsible companies: Danone (ranking first), PSA Peugeot Citroën, Bonduelle and Total. French companies are also those who have best implemented "effective measures to prevent and limit layoffs" and made "steps to mitigate the negative effects of layoffs on employees, including measures to return to work" . Better than their German or Dutch, who monopolize the second and third places on the podium, and Austrian firms, Irish and Greek … that close to the bench.

Issue non-discrimination (access and job retention of the most vulnerable, improving working conditions, training, career …), French companies are doing just as well with no fewer than four of them also in the top 10: PSA Peugeot Citroën again, Rhodia, EDF and TF1. By country, France is ahead of Belgium and the Netherlands, far ahead of Ireland, the UK and Denmark … that appear at the end of ranking. "We knew that the behavior of firms are influenced by national legislation and sectoral affiliations, note Benseddik Fouad, director of Vigeo methods. But this study shows that social responsibility is the leadership position and ability to dialogue that make the difference. "In short, the involvement of the entrepreneur.