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Merkel tries to calm things down with Francois Hollande

Angela Merkel likes the cons-feet. After the victory of Francois Hollande in the presidential election on 6 May, the German Chancellor had said it would host "open arms" the president-elect. Thursday, it proved inflexible in the Bundestag, rejecting any policy of increasing public spending, policy advocated by the Socialists.

And this Saturday, one that supported Nicolas Sarkozy during the presidential campaign, tried to calm things down, three days before his meeting with Francois Hollande, in Berlin. When asked, by withholding his weekly video podcast, a "possible steady partnership with the new French president," Merkel said, "Yes, that's what I think, because we know since the founding of the Republic Germany a good Franco-German relationship is just very important for both countries. "

Angela Merkel isolated within the EU

By his attitude changes, the Chancellor irritate Francois Hollande. Before his colleagues, the president-elect would not hesitate to declare that "this is not a good method" to be so inflexible. In Berlin, the president apparently intends to say to Angela Merkel, "politely but firmly," according to a close this week quoted by Agence France-Presse savings account payday advance.

For now, the latest forecasts from the European Commission for the French economy, published Friday, give reason to Angela Merkel and fall ill for Francois Hollande. According to Brussels, France's public deficit should reach 4.2% against 3% anticipated by the new president. Growth of gross domestic product to 1.3% in 2013, far from 1.7% target by Francois Hollande. For its part, the German economy should continue its momentum. The five major economic research institutes across the Rhine anticipate a 2% increase in 2013 GDP growth of Germany.

But sixteen months of laws, the government of Angela Merkel is in trouble. Having already lost power in Schleswig-Holstein, the Chancellor will test again on Sunday in one of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous regional state of Germany and bastion of the left. Especially, that which formed a duo with austerity in favor of Nicolas Sarkozy, now seems isolated within the EU since the latter has lost the presidential election. And while many European capitals have welcomed the growth pact advocated by Holland.

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HP leverages its printers to revive his PC

This is the first major policy decision announced by Meg Whitman, CEO of HP since September. PC and printer divisions of the group will be merged, as the company said Wednesday.

Since arriving at the head of the company, Meg Whitman will finally been consistently good the consequences of the announcement in August by his predecessor, Leo Apotheker. The latter had then referred to the release or surrender of HP's PC division. Which cost him his job and has had a disastrous impact on group sales. During the last quarter of HP – ended Jan. 31 – Sales of the division plunged 18% in volume and its revenues fell 15%. At the same time, the printer division saw sales fall by 7%. Combined, the two product divisions of the group will represent half of total HP revenue (127 billion). The other portion going mainly to dynamic two divisions: services and servers.

Since September, the world's number one PC had to swallow a few snakes. In particular, see Apple proclaim everywhere the last quarter, he had sold "more PCs that HP iPad". Although the difference is played with one digit after the comma, the comparison is no less painful for HP, which more conspicuous by its absence in the segment of tablets. Worse, Chinese Lenovo continues to gain market share and HP could double by the end of the year payday loan no faxing.

Reduce costs

In the last quarter of 2011, the worldwide market share from HP in the PC fell to 16%, while Lenovo has risen to second place with 14% market share. In one year, the gap between the two groups was reduced by 6 points. But the U.S. does not intend to cede its global leadership without a fight.

Todd Bradley, appointed to head the new entity, will have the burden to reinvigorate PC sales and reverse in printers. HP also aims to achieve further cost reductions through this merger. Savings could indeed be generated in the supply and marketing of equipment. While the line between professional and individual equipment fades, it becomes increasingly important to industry players to establish their brand. This allows to charge prices a bit higher, as does Apple. A point particularly important that the owner of HP has already said a return of the group on the market shelves were not excluded.

The announcement of the reorganization was moderately popular with Wall Street. At the opening, the title has sold 2.23%. Todd Bradley, former head of Palm, is known to cause the redemption of Palm in 2010 by HP for $ 1.2 billion. Instead, Vyomesh Joshi, head out of the printer division, was reputed to have doubled the operating margin for this division.

Paris: a triplex to 46 million euros in sales

A record. Triplex of 780 m2 in the heart of the capital is on sale for 46 million euros. With 60,000 euros per square meter, this is the first time a well as expensive is listed in Paris. This luxury apartment, located 42, avenue du Président-Kennedy in the sixteenth district, was inhabited in the early 1960s by the legendary couple of French cinema, Alain Delon and Romy Schneider. Overlooking the Seine, in an upscale neighborhood of the capital, it boasts an unrivaled location.

Some parts of the apartment are furnished in a modern style. Photo Credits: Paris West Sotheby's International Realty

Banking secrecy: Switzerland transfers

The Swiss Parliament voted yesterday the revision of an agreement allowing the U.S. to get lists of bank customers Helvetian for suspected fraud. This addition to the double taxation agreement of 2009, which may be applied retroactively, goes much further than those signed thus far. The IRS will not need to demand details in the form of 'group applications', confidential information to banks Helvetians.

A major issue

This new cut to the sacrosanct banking secrecy does not delight the Swiss deputies. "Nobody does it with a light heart, but we have no alternative, said Christophe Darbellay, president of the Christian Democratic Party. Play the showdown with the Americans could have serious consequences. "The stakes are high: eleven Swiss banks (Wegelin, Credit Suisse, Julius Baer …) are the subject of a complaint for helping U.S. taxpayers evade taxes. If Bern does not play the game, Washington threatens to withdraw the banking license to establishments Helvetians.

Yesterday, only the Central Democratic Union (UDC) has objected to signing the text. "Banks have done wrong and they should pay the bill, but it's not MPs to bow down," says Guy Parmelin, vice president of the parliamentary group CDU.

According to press Helvetian, the success of the United States in this matter could lead to the European Union, too, have strengthened administrative assistance. An option that the President of the Confederation, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, refuses to consider. In an interview with Time, it maintains that the priority remains the final withholding tax at source, called the "Rubik" whereby Switzerland would pay a lump sum to partner countries to compensate for the loss of tax revenue.

"Applications bundled"

Despite the optimism of Bern, "Rubik" soon however to be validated by the Germans and did not interest the French authorities. Pierin Vincenz, CEO of Raiffeisen, the third Swiss bank, recently broke a taboo by speaking to the automatic exchange of information. Philippe Kenel, tax lawyer near Lake Geneva, also defended this solution, which in return would allow "the free movement of financial services, that is to say the possibility for Swiss banks to work in European countries."

But the debate is far from over, as Switzerland will have to adjust by the end of the new OECD standards, which should also include 'group applications'. The American victory could turn into an international standard … Meanwhile, the Swiss tax advise their customers in Europe to come to Switzerland to avoid tax evasion charges.

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Shanghai will free property sales

Faced with a collapse of its real estate market, Shanghai intends to relax its measures restricting purchases. According to the Shanghai Security News, the city will soon authorize the purchase of a second residence for people who had lived there at least three years. An acquisition until formally excluded for "non-local" to curb speculation and soaring prices. "This should push up sales of real estate 20% to 30% in Shanghai, said Jack Gong, an analyst at Jefferies Group Inc.. Hong Kong, but that does not mean that the central government also intends to implement such measures to relax. "

Striving to deflate the housing bubble, a source of social unrest and destabilization of the economy, Beijing has implemented since 2010 on measures to limit credit and the number of apartments that individuals can buy.

Pillar of growth

But today, the Chinese real estate sector was found particularly affected by a drop in demand as prices began to decline, causing a wait of many potential buyers.

A statement from the National Statistics Office, the property prices in January continued their downward trend in most Chinese cities. Of 70 cities covered by a monthly survey, 48 have seen the price of flats down by the previous month, while it remained stable in 22 others, no increase was noted.

The Chinese government does not seem to want as many concessions. "In the name of fairness and stability, restrictive measures can not be released," said Premier Wen Jiabao in mid-February, ending, after three days, the measures of the city Wuhu in eastern countries, which were to subsidize the purchase of apartments to stimulate activity in the sector.

Always fight against speculation, the Chinese government announced in late January to create a file owners covering 40 cities. This is to prevent wealthy Chinese to circumvent the prohibitions imposed by municipalities to purchase several apartments, increasing acquisitions in different cities.

But the Chinese government also needs to avoid a contraction in the construction sector, a mainstay of the Chinese economy, while it is slowing its growth.

China's central bank announced it would reduce the reserve requirement ratio for banks to release more of their maneuvers to lend, especially first-time buyers who struggle to find housing.

Air France pilots want to save face

After four days of an unpopular strike, the Air France pilots looking to get out of the conflict from the top. The crew of the company reiterated Thursday its opposition to the bill regulating the right to strike in the airline industry and imposing a guaranteed service.

A delegation of trade unions must be received at 11 am Friday morning by the Minister for Transport Thierry Mariani. This meeting should not lead to much. "We're not there to find common ground with the unions, but to organize a guaranteed service," warned Thierry Mariani Thursday.

Within hours of the meeting, the minister's entourage confirmed Friday morning hostility to any negotiation. "The meeting should quickly cut short, says one close to the minister. We have nothing to say and nothing to negotiate. "

So, it could be internally that could come after the conflict. "Stability of schedules" which are very attached to the pilots could indeed be negotiated as part of a stipulated agreement with the management of Air France. According to the strikers, the obligation to declare 48 hours before the strike is inadmissible because it will allow the company to organize and make the social movement painless for customers.

A management commitment to the company on a stable schedule will prevent to use of non-strikers rest to ensure flights during strikes and then work to the strikers on their days off when they returned to work. Such an agreement would render the bill of its substance and its effectiveness but allow everyone – and most unions – to save face.

"Blocking the company with 20% of strikers"

"The framing of the strike was finally accepted in 2007 by SNCF workers where work organization is different from ours, said a member of the National Union of Airline Pilots (SNPL). In our business of flying, there are only 15% of staff who works every day to 48 hours before declaring strike is killing the strike. "

An argument that does not convince in the ranks of the majority: "When there will be 80% of strikers, there will be 80% of flights canceled, said a relative of the Minister of Transport. The real reason for this hostility to the bill is to continue to weigh and to block the company with 20% of strikers. "

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After the sale "Flash" will there be shown the concept of selling "super flash"? Papercut, a Swedish chain of distribution of cultural products, offers on its website a unique experience to its customers. SpeedSale called, this feature leaves only four seconds to users to enter a promotional offer.A list of 16 products at bargain prices is presented to them once and only once! If the client does not validate any purchase, it is impossible to return to the list and a message appears: "You had a chance and you ruined, come back the next century." The user is then redirected to the page Home Papercut site.

"Sales 'flash', 'private sales' and other 'deals are limited in time' have always been part of the promotional techniques invented by retailers to increase the desirability of their offerings," noted experts LaSer, equal subsidiary group Galeries Lafayette and BNP Paribas Personal Finance specializes in marketing and customer relations."With the online business, these opportunities have continued to increase until the proposal Papercut extreme, proof that people are always looking for new shopping experiences and, for them, use n ' is never very far in the game "

This view is shared Olivier Mathiot, co-founder and marketing director PriceMinister. "The sales script 'flash' or other private sales makes shopping even more fun." He was convinced that the Internet boosts "impulse buying". "This media immediacy causes a sense of urgency that forces the user to decide very quickly. It recreates an environment conducive to the frenzy and excitement, "said Olivier Mathiot. PriceMinister also take account of this trend.

Bought by the Japanese Rakuten in June 2010, the site led by Pierre Kosciusko-Morizet draws its sales processes favored by the Japanese. It has well before mid-2012 to implement his concept of "shopping marathon", an event that lasts 30 hours and is conducted twice a year in June and December. "Ten merchants in the same sector, such as fashion or food, offering users a selection of products at bargain prices, and product category changes every hour," explains Olivier Mathiot. This visit a huge success. "The turnover of Rakuten in Japan grew by 150% during these periods," says co-founder of PriceMinister faxless payday advance.

"Everyone wins"

"Everybody is up with this kind of promotional offers," says one at eBay, the specialist in online auctions."The customer is doing well and the merchant increases its visibility while achieving dramatic sales volumes in a timely manner." In order not to miss the boat, eBay launched in early October its "Daily Deals", inspired by the "daily deals, "such sales 'flash' already well proven in Britain and Germany. For one day, merchants offer discounts on products theme, depending on the season and current events. Like Papercut and his concept of 'speed dirty' in Sweden, eBay distills the game in the act of purchasing: "Auctions are the adrenaline and that's what consumers are looking for. The evidence, from 20 to 25% of people who come to our site looking for auction, "says eBay.

Of adrenaline to the frustration, there is a site that has taken Swedish Papercut cheerfully. "The frustration is part of the game and users know it.If the sale is concluded, the satisfaction is increased tenfold, "Marc Lolivier analysis, managing director of Fevad. However, the practice of selling 'flash' requires good organization. Beware of stock-outs that could raise the ire of consumers, while retailers would pay back customers who have already paid for their order. Here, no one would gain.

E-commerce: the bar crossed the 100,000 sites by 2012

Internet sales continue to take their game in a morose for household consumption in France. The turnover of e-commerce sites has reached 17.5 billion euros, up 20% from January to June, according to the Federation of e-commerce and distance selling (Fevad). Nearly 20,000 new commercial sites have been created, an increase of 28%, bringing to nearly 90,000 the number of active sites in France."The bar of 100,000 sites could be reached by 2012," said Fevad. In the first half, the areas of fashion clothing and Tourism signed the largest increases in turnover (+16%), far ahead of the high-tech products (8%) and sales professionals (+ 5%).

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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.

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.

Despite sluggish growth, employment improves

It's the only bright spot in the dark landscape cyclical French: the labor market continued to regain strength. In the second quarter, 68,300 jobs were created in the nonprofit sector. This is 10,000 more than in the first quarter.

The tertiary sector contributes almost exclusively to these creations (57,200 jobs), the industry confirms his recovery: 6600 jobs were created in this sector, according to Insee. This is his second consecutive quarter of growth. "This sector lost jobs every quarter since 2001," says INSEE.

Only government minister to be able to celebrate yesterday, Xavier Bertrand (Labour, Employment, Health) welcomed that "210,600 jobs a year (have) been created." He sees "a positive signal about the vitality of the real economy." This movement is all the more surprising that growth has been sluggish in recent months.

"You have to look at the figure of 0% over the period issued yesterday: considering the annual growth and relating to the last four quarters, we see that the quarterly growth rate is invariably French 0.4%, says Frédéric Gonand, associate professor of economics at Paris Dauphine. This shows that even with 1.6% annual rate, which corresponds to its potential growth, France is creating jobs. "

According to Dares, the index of the basic monthly wage (SMB) increased by 0.6% in the second quarter, representing an increase of 2.1% over one year. This significant increase of basic wages does not mean a sharp increase in the purchasing power of households. In the second quarter, prices rose 0.5% year on year and they operate around 2%.The purchasing power has improved very little, which explains the weakness of consumption in recent months.

Disinflation energy

But-and this is another rare good news in the farm figures released yesterday, according to Insee, the consumer prices fell by 0.4% in July. A decline mainly due balances but also by the expansion of energy prices. Under these conditions, if the job market continues to grow at the same pace as earlier this year, the disposable income of households could improve a little.

"Disinflation energy currently underway should provide some support the purchasing power of households," say economists at Natixis.The main pillar of the French economy will be a little stronger in the second half, provided that the fiscal savings provided by the government do not result in a tax grab too much, the experts continue to Natixis.

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