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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.

Hesitant, Wall Street closed on a small rise

The U.S. stock markets in the green close an arduous one session on Tuesday. After starting down, the Dow ended with a gain of 0.40% to 11,105.85 points while the Nasdaq climbed 1.49% to 2532.15 points and the S & P 500 by 0.91% in 1172 , 87 points.

Investors had eyes turned to Europe, where each new about the problems of sovereign debt is analyzed carefully. Like yesterday, the news that Rome had asked Beijing to make significant repurchases of its sovereign debt, has indeed done so. While Italy has been completely denied the reports, the fact that China could get involved gives some confidence to operators.

Similarly, another new fueling hope the five emerging BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) should discuss next week the opportunity to assist the EU in turmoil the debt crisis. They could increase their holdings of bonds denominated in euros.

Finally, the announcement of a conference call Wednesday between Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor feeds market recovery. Some investors have been dreaming of sensational announcements.

The United States involved

U.S. operators, such as Europe and Asia, remain very concerned about Greece. They fear it will not be able to meet these budget commitments, which threaten to bankrupt the country and aggravate the crisis in Europe.An output of the euro in Greece is also now considered by many economists.

This morning Jean-Pierre Jouyet, chairman of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF), said on iTV that Greece may have to undergo further restructuring of its debt than expected. German side, Angela Merkel is trying to catch up about his Economy Minister Philipp Rösler, who spoke Monday the event of a default of Athens.In a radio interview BBB, the Chancellor found it necessary to "avoid any uncontrolled process in the euro area."

The United States also stressed that they became involved in resolving the crisis in the eurozone, as the Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner will participate Friday in the meeting of Ministers of Economy and Finance Union European Poland.

The U.S. deficit rises again

On the foreign exchange market, the euro was down slightly Tuesday against the dollar and the yen on Monday after falling $ 1.35 for the first time since February and the lowest for 10 years against the yen, and the voltage was strong, the markets fear more a possible failure of Greece.At the opening in New York, the European currency was worth 1.3673 dollars against 1.3624 dollars.

As for oil prices, they ended up sharply Tuesday, the market betting on a sharp drop in crude inventories in the United States, despite pessimistic forecasts of consumption of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA). On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for October delivery ended at 90.21 dollars, up 2.02 dollars compared to the previous day.

On the macroeconomic front, the prices of imported products in the United States had started to decline in August, according to figures released by the Washington Department of Labor. The price index for the ministry declined 0.4% from the previous month, after rising 0.3% in July. This is its second decline in three months.It is lower than in June, where import prices have declined for the first time in a year (0.7%).

The fiscal deficit of the United States it is increased again in August after four consecutive months of decline, according to figures released Tuesday in Washington by the Treasury Department. The negative balance of public finances of the federal state stood at 134.152 billion dollars for the eleventh month of the fiscal year 2010-2011, 48% more than in August 2010, the ministry said.

Samsung attack Apple

The side of values, Hewlett-Packard (0.53% to 22.70 dollars) announced on Tuesday that 41.62% of the shareholders of Autonomy UK (1.63% to 39.85 dollars) had supported its bid.The U.S. group also announced it was extending its offer until Oct. 3.

The giant South Korean Samsung Electronics Electronicsa complaint in France against its U.S. rival Apple (1.23% to 384.62 dollars) for a litigation involving three patents relating to UMTS technology. "The complaint focuses on three technology patents, and not the design of the shelves," as was the case during a recent trial in Germany, said a spokesman for Samsung.

Rating agencies could worsen them. Moody's (3.29% to 30.46 dollars) has indeed said yesterday that it planned to degrade the note by the McGraw-Hill (3.01% to 41.471 dollars) has announced its intention to focus on rival rating agency Standard and Poor's division after educational activities.Fitch has already passed the act.

For his part Nordson Corp. (5.39% to 42.59 dollars) yesterday announced after the close had authorized a share repurchase program of $ 100 million.

Note also the U.S. internet group AOL (-2.47% to 14.39 dollars) has appointed a new editor for TechCrunch, the site of information on technologies he had bought in September 2010, after 10 days controversy over the fate of the former owner, Michael Arrington. The new editor is Erick Schonfeld, Associate Editor edited by Michael Arrington. AOL announced that Michael Arrington, founder of the site, decided to leave TechCrunch and AOL to devote to investment funds that it recently launched.

Bank: call to order de Lagarde

Declarations of Christine Lagarde at the Jackson Hole conference in the U.S. have caused confusion. Concerned about the deteriorating global economy, the executive director of the International Monetary Fund said before the central bankers that European banks' need urgent recapitalization. " The former economy minister added: "This is the key to cut the chain of contagion."

Thus, for the IMF, "the most efficient would be a substantial recapitalization mandatory European banks with private funds in the first place but also of public funds if necessary." Christine Lagarde has called for research by the policies of a common vision for the future of the continent.

But the executive director of the IMF gave no indication about how to get there.Thus, Sebastian Bartholomew, credit analyst for Louis Capital Markets believes that the statements of Christine Lagarde is "a call to order IMF but do not provide concrete solutions." The specialist also wondered what private funds would be inclined to give money to banks, "who wants to bring money to the banks unless the States?" Support from private funds, wanted by the former tenant Bercy seems to be excluded.

Regulators want details

Thus, fearing that such a disadvantage about the banking sector already affected by the stroke of tobacco stock this summer, some regulators would consider asking the IMF chief to clarify his remarks, reports the Financial Times.Indeed, while Europe is mobilizing to try to reassure investors on the health of major institutions of the old continent, reports Christine Lagarde could undermine their efforts credit reports free. The stress tests were particularly aimed at reassuring the financial community. French Banking Federation (FBF) was also stressed that French banks "have passed the stress tests in July European and ACP, the national supervisor, performs regular checks to ensure the smooth operation of banks' .

As such, the FBF reiterated this morning that the French system has full confidence. The Federation reiterated, like what she wrote on August 19, that 'capital levels are well above regulatory requirements and programs for refinancing in the medium and long term are conducted under conditions quite satisfactory. "

And the banks themselves have reiterated they do not need to raise new money. In early August, to mark the publication of its results, Societe Generale has reiterated that it has strengthened its financial strength, and for BNP Paribas. August 25, Crédit Agricole has also sought to reassure. The bank, whose accounts the second quarter suffered a heavy burden to Greece, said it had to end in July of more than 120 billion of liquid reserves immediately available. Jean-Paul Chifflet, general manager of the bank, had also told the BBC: "We have no difficulty in funding us."

In exchange, banking stocks are holding up well CAC40.Credit Agricole advance of 1.1%, 1.3% BNP Paribas, Natixis and Societe Generale 1.7% against an increase of 1.3% for the CAC 40.

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Financial circles opposed to the Tobin tax

By delivering on their dream table Tuesday to tax financial transactions in Europe, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel could expect an outcry. It has taken place. From Dublin to London via Stockholm, policy makers have expressed reservations about the proposal, while the financial community condemnation."It would be a drag on economic growth," has outraged the Association for European financial markets.

In fact, European stock markets have imposed a new session Wednesday down to banking stocks, involving an opportunity for companies to NYSE Euronext, Deutsche Börse or London Stock Exchange, may be penalized by a Tobin tax, named after its inventor.

While the Franco-German plans to develop detailed proposals in September, the Swedish finance minister, Peter Norman, shows him, already his skepticism: "I do not see the positive effects that a tax on transactions in Europe could be, "he said.

Swedish experience

Sweden keeps a bad memory from his own experience of tax established in the 1980s, before being abolished in 1991.According to researcher Marion Wrobel, the Swedish Treasury was then recovered some 50 million SEK per year, far from the expected 1.5 billion minimum. And above all, by 1990, half of the activities on the actions of the financial Nordic had flown to London, those on bonds and derivatives that have been decimated.

Well placed to know that financial businesses relocate overnight, the City has no desire to suffer a similar fate. The British Treasury has hammered yesterday that a tax on financial transactions should be global. Last year, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy had failed to join the G20 … Even obsession with competitiveness for Ireland. London looks so New York, Dublin has eyes only for London.The Irish Finance Minister has warned its partners against the temptation to limit the tax to the euro area, to bypass the "no" British.

These had led opposition last year, the failure of the tax already led by France and Germany. The government had then opted for a direct drain on bank profits, easier to implement. Since this refusal, however, the terms of debate have changed.

This proposal is in fact in a context of unprecedented turbulence in the European markets and defense of the euro. Proponents of the Tobin Tax ensure that it is likely to limit speculation, even if professionals swear otherwise. Above all, the proceeds of the levy would not have the same use. In 2009, it was intended to finance development aid.In 2011, the EU would be well integrated in the tax budget with revenues swell to 350 billion euros between 2014 and 2020. What changed the political balance of power? Vienna, Madrid, Helsinki or Madrid yesterday reported good interest in the Franco-German project.

The United States lost their "AAA" rating

The penalty was expected but it still sounds like a shock. In the night from Friday to Saturday, the rating agency Standard and Poor's (S & P) has dared to lower the rating for government debt of the United States, and deprived of their "AAA" for the first time in history . S & P said in a statement it had degraded to the next level this note, the best possible, to bring it to 'AA +'. It also lowered its outlook to "negative", which means that Standard and Poor's believes that the next time the note will change, it will be to be devalued again. The United States were rated "AAA" by S & P since the creation of this agency in 1941.They remain in the other two major agencies, Moody's Dean (since 1917) and Fitch Ratings.

Standard and Poor's, which had warned in April that it was considering lowering, justified its decision with "political risks" to see the country taking insufficient measures against its budget deficit. For her, the political debate on these issues is not up to the problems caused by a debt of more than 14,500 billion. "The plan for balancing the budget on which Congress and the Executive have recently agreed is insufficient compared to what, in our view, would be needed to stabilize the dynamics in the medium term public debt" said S & P, citing the law known as "control the budget" passed Tuesday.

S & P is the second rating agency to downgrade the American note, after the Chinese – less powerful – Dagong.Other – mostly American and French Moody's Fitch – are currently at Triple A.

The U.S. public debt to more than 100% of GDP

The first power of the world is, well, so sure before. The United States and joined Japan, Spain and Ireland have lost that status envied payday loan lenders. The loss of this seal of excellence is expected brutal impact on the financial markets, difficult to imagine right now. But while the financial world is upside down, the risk that markets continue to dive is high. The announcement of S & P comes in effect when the markets were closed for the weekend, closing on both sides of the Atlantic one week black.

China, by far the world's largest creditor United States, found that she had "every right now to require the United States to address their structural problems of debt."Second World holder of U.S. debt, Tokyo assured him that his confidence in the U.S. Treasury and its strategy of purchasing these bonds were unchanged. In France, the Minister of Economy Baroin reiterated his "total confidence in the strength of the U.S. economy."

Two days ago, the U.S. debt has passed a symbolic milestone. Because it exceeded the threshold of 100% of GDP, just after raising the debt ceiling by Congress. The United States saw their public finances sealed by the harsh recession that crossed their economy from late 2007 to mid-2009. Since then, economic growth has returned, but they are not able to restore the health of their public finances. According to estimates by the International Monetary Fund, they should acknowledge this year, with about 9% of GDP, the highest budget deficit of the G20 countries, except Japan.It is sixteen countries rated "AAA" by Standard and Poor's, four of the G7: Germany, Canada, France and Great Britain.

(With AFP and Reuters)

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The CAC 40 expected sharply higher

Relief. Is the word that should prevail today on all global exchanges, after U.S. lawmakers passed this night finally put to agree on raising the debt ceiling. At 8:15, future contracts on the CAC 40 advanced sharply from 1.39% to 3724.50 points.

Last week, the inability of the United States to solve the problem of public finances had weighed on investor sentiment. In Paris the CAC 40 was indeed touched its lowest level in session year (3,630.75 points), while Wall Street finished its worst week in a year, despite the intervention of Obama Friday in an attempt to reassure debt.

After the relief 10 days ago on Greek sovereign debt, the calm would return to the Paris financial center.After weeks of negotiations, elected Democrats and Republicans have indeed finally found common ground on the amount of new ceiling, avoiding the world's largest economy is in default of payment in the coming days. According to preliminary information provided by the White House, the debt ceiling would be raised to 2.1 trillion dollars, which breathe new life in the United States on the forehead of the debt until 2013, after the presidential elections. This agreement in principle will also enable the countries to continue to borrow on the markets beyond the August 2 deadline set by the Treasury.

The reaction of rating agencies expected

On the other hand, no excessive optimism are to be expected in the financial markets today, at least until the U.S. Congress has not ratified the agreement. The first submission is expected to vote that day.Furthermore, few details have yet filtered on measures taken to reduce the deficit in the U.S., which does not exclude the possibility of deterioration in the rating of the sovereign debt of the United States.

For now, the first tranche of spending cuts of $ 1 trillion is expected. Then a bipartisan special committee of Congress will then be responsible for finding the end of November additional expenditure cuts amounting to 1.5 trillion dollars. A total of 2.5 trillion dollars in budget cuts, all over 10 years. From this point of view, the reaction of rating agencies in this agreement called the "medium term" should be widely followed by the markets.

On the currency front, the dollar has benefited only modestly from the announcement of the night, illustrating the temporary nature of such an agreement.Around 6:00, the euro slipped against the dollar at 1.4385 dollars against 1.4395 on Friday, but climbed against the yen at 111.67 yen against 110.41 Friday. For its part, the dollar set off again up significantly against the yen at 77.63 yen after briefly reached 78 yen, 76.73 yen against Friday night.

In terms of oil prices were up Monday morning in electronic trading in Asia, where the market relieved by this agreement in extremis. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery gained 1.53 dollars to 97.23 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery was appreciating $ 1.25 dollar to 117.99.

Macroeconomic side, investors should look carefully at the unemployment figures for the month of JuneOverseas are also expected to 4:00 p.m. construction spending for the month of June, the ISM manufacturing index for July.

As for values ​​to follow

Last week, the many semi-annual publications were rather disappointing, adding to the nervousness of investors. The pace slows publications this week, though are expected in the next three days the details of the interim bank values ​​(Tuesday BNP Paribas, Societe Generale on Wednesday and Thursday Axa and Natixis).

Eiffage reported a slight slowdown in growth in the second quarter despite a sharp rebound from its construction activities, the division of public works who registered a decrease over the period.

Outremer Telecom.A draft tender offer simplified to the telecom operator was introduced by OMT Invest, a structure controlled by Axa Private Equity, according to a notice to the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) and released Friday.

EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF ENR) has entered into exclusive negotiations with Capital Perceva to cede control of Supra, the fund feeds the project to file a simplified takeover bid at the end of the process.

General Health issued a sharp drop in operating profit in the first half due to exceptional items, but its revenue rose due to higher acute care stays.

Recylex published Friday sales for the second quarter increased significantly, from 32% to 125.34 million euros, supported by an increase of 48% of its business in recycling lead thanks to rising 16 % of lead prices and increased sales volumes.

Air Liquide. The gas giant reported Monday a 11% increase in net profit in the first half, to 750 million euros.It maintained its forecast a "steady increase" in net profit for the year.

Note that Gameloft will publish its interim results after market close, while Le Noble Age unveil at the same time state sales for the same period. The British bank HSBC, which is listed in Paris, finally published its results for the first six months of the year.

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Lessons learned from the accident of the AF 447

The report was eagerly awaited by the victims' families as well as the entire aviation industry. The Bureau of Investigation and Analysis (BEA) released Friday its third report on the crash investigation of Flight 447, the first after the study of black boxes fished in the spring in the South Atlantic. This report confirms all the information published on Thursday evening lefigaro.fr. It is a mistake of the crew due to icing of the Pitot probes that resulted in the dropping of the device and fall into the ocean. The report describes a crew where responsibilities were not clearly defined between the two co-pilots and in the absence of the captain gone to rest pay day loans. At first the captain, there has been no "explicit distribution of tasks between the two co-pilots."It is then that pilot error was caught, inadvertently, the altitude at the aircraft, did win (lose lift) and then drove down to the ocean. The findings of the BEA is overwhelming for the crew of Air France. "Neither pilot refers to the stall alarm" that sounds, however, continuously for 54 seconds, and "neither pilot formally identified the dropout situation."

The player is used by default in the articles of figaro.fr. Maj7

The IMF releases 3.2 billion euros for Greece

The board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met Friday in Washington, approved, as expected, the release of a new tranche of 3.2 billion euros for Greece.

It is in addition to 8.7 billion euros released a week ago by the European Union. This round of 12 billion euros is the fifth of the rescue plan 110 billion approved last year. It should enable the country to repay much of its debt maturing July 15 (EUR 2.4 billion to good six months) and 22 July (2 billion euros good for three months).

But Greece, the public debt (354.5 billion euros at end March) shook up the United States, is not out of the rut.Athens calls for a hue and cry a second bailout, a value equivalent to the first, or 110 billion euros, for which the Europeans require the participation of the private sector. A meeting of the Eurogroup in Brussels next Monday, followed by a council of finance ministers the following day was supposed to define its contours. But it will not succeed, as the differences remain significant even within the Union. At best, a decision is expected in mid-September, confirmed the new Greek Finance Minister, Evangelos Venizelos.

Taboo

For many scholars, starting with the rating agencies as criticized in recent days, the private sector's contribution to the recovery plan would resemble a Greek default, since creditors will not get their refunds in time and hour.A nightmare scenario that Europeans seek to avoid at all costs. Without having yet found the parade.

And meanwhile, some still waving the event of a release of the euro area. An expert in Brussels who had requested a report before he leaves office, a judge at the end of the decade "there may well still have 17 members, but the question is whether this will be the same that 'today. "

The subject is taboo, but if Greece were to be found in default, many experts believe that the only way to redress the country's economy would be a devaluation, and thus an exit from the euro. This had been done in Argentina in 2002, winning its currency, the peso, the U.S. dollar.

Greece offers a respite to 12 billion euros

Europe is gaining time, but did not extinguish the fire in Greece. Following a conference call Saturday, finance ministers of the euro area have given the green light to release "by July 15" 8.7 billion euros in loans that should add 3.3 billion paid out by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This decision was expected after the adoption this week by the Greek Parliament of the austerity program imposed by his European creditors. "It (the decision) strengthens the international credibility of Greece", immediately congratulated the Greek finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos.

As the new Executive Director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, to take office Tuesday, the organization welcomed the developments."We welcome the commitment of the Eurogroup to a funding strategy that ensures that the Greek economic program is fully insured," said the spokesman for the IMF, Caroline Atkinson. No details however were given about a possible date on which the Board could meet to release the funds.

Berlin puts pressure

If these 12 billion euros to Greece should avoid going bankrupt in the short term, it is not enough to save the country permanently and fully reassure the financial markets. For this, the country has called for a second bailout International 110 billion euros. Finance ministers of the euro zone have promised yesterday decisions "in the coming weeks." For its part, the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, more prudent, spoke of an agreement by the fall only.Berlin looks indeed to be certain that Greece implement austerity measures quickly that the country has promised cash advances pay day loan. "After the release of the fifth installment of the countries of the euro area and the IMF, the next step must be addressed decisively: the measures passed in Athens should be implemented quickly. Privatization, for example, must be launched without delay, "responded the German Minister of Finance. Response of Athens: the austerity plan of 28.4 billion euros will be implemented before mid-September.

Ireland, Portugal, Italy and Spain could knock on the door

These two months of rest should also help to advance on a second rescue plan 110 billion euros. Finance ministers of the euro area have not spoken on this subject last night.They expect to clarify the private sector, banks and other creditors, imposed by Berlin to a new plan to help decide. "The details and extent of the involvement of private and official sources of additional funding will be determined in the coming weeks," they said.

Time is running out: Ireland and Portugal may need a new international aid. As for Spain and Italy, both countries are under pressure from rating agencies. "The failure of European political leaders to resolve the crisis quickly and decisively hits the rest of the euro area," says Ben May, economist at Capital Economics. The United States pressed more in Europe to solve its debt problems to avoid a global impact."If Greece fell deeper into recession following the new austerity measures, it could reduce the willingness of governments to implement additional fiscal measures," says Ben May.

Life Insurance: Senators returned to the charge

The Senate Finance Committee examined this morning the draft budget law easing the ISF and eliminating the tax shield. She returned to the load on the taxation of life insurance: it adopted an amendment under 20% to 25% tax rate on life insurance in case of death of the subscriber for contracts over 902 838 euros. At the Assembly meeting, members had rejected such an increase, however, given by the ratio of UMP budget Gilles Carrez. It is true that the government does not want it affects life insurance. The Senate should confirm or disprove their choice in plenary session.

The Senate Finance Committee is also back on provisions passed by the Assembly, on the grounds that increasing the tax loopholes.It has reduced the ceiling for overseas investment in social housing to its original level (36 000 euros or 13% of income, the Assembly has increased to EUR 40 000 or 15% of income). It deleted a niche created by the Assembly, which established a tax reduction of 50% for subscription in a local investment funds in overseas.

Moreover, senators of the Finance Committee decided that the ban on paying in cash purchases of metals come into force on 1 January 2012, not June 30, 2012. On another subject, she reinstated the Google tax, abolished by the Assembly.