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Wall Street down before the Senate vote

Wall Street starts again in the red on Tuesday. In early trade, the Dow Jones lost 0.57% at 12,063 points, the Nasdaq 0.51% to loose 2731 points and the S & P drops 0.69% to 1279 points.

The opening is dominated by pessimism as consumer spending of U.S. households fell against all odds by 0.2% in June, posting their first decline since September 2009. Economists surveyed on average expected a rise in expenditure of 0.2%.

The expected green light from Senate Tuesday evening

Concerning the agreement on raising the debt ceiling, the doubts persist. "Some have pointed to the fact that the rating agency S & P claimed four trillion dollars in deficit reduction over 10 years against only 2.5 trillion currently being negotiated by members, analysts said Aurel BGC.Maintaining the "AAA" is far from being elected … Many skeptics have left open the possibility of adoption of this agreement by the Congress. "An expected adoption tonight. The Senate must decide, in fact, after the House of Representatives that preceded it from that Monday night.

"I think the show we attended in Washington, a significant number of parliamentarians of this country leaving the threat of a default, really made a lot of damage to the confidence" of investors in the economy American, for his part, said U.S. Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithnern, on ABC.

Oil side, the opening of the Nymex, oil prices melt, due to poor statistqies the day, who fear a future decline in demand.To 15 hours, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery was trading at 94.36 dollars, down 53 cents.

Results of companies to follow the corporate side, several major publications are planned this week, starting on Tuesday by Pfizer (-1.05% to 18.81 dollars). The group released better than expected earnings for the second quarter, the jump in sales of animal health products offsetting lower sales of drugs, the heart of the business group.

Google (stable at 606.71 dollars) this weekend began testing a new service, "Google Hotel Finder", dedicated to finding hotels. Positioned competitor specialized sites like Hotels.com "Hotel Finder Google" is used to search the dates of their choice, depending on the number of stars of the institution and the average scores given by customers.

Hewlett-Packard (-0.48% to 35.03 dollars) has decided to drop now $ 50 U.S. price of its new tablet, the TouchPad. This rate adjustment, presented as a promotion valid until September 10, is valid until September 10.He places the version of the tablet features a 16GB storage to 449.99 dollars, and the 32 GB to 549 dollars, just one month after the beginning of the commercialization of TouchPad.

Coach (-4.72% to 62.31 dollars), a leading U.S. brands of accessories, recorded a jump of 24% of its annual net profit in 2010-2011 (year ended July 2) at 881 million dollars, and expected to grow over 10% in the future, according to a statement released Tuesday.

Hyatt Hotels (1.96% to 39.52 euros) announced earnings for the second quarter better than expected, while saying he intended to open a number of "significant" new hotels in the future.

GM (-0.79% to 27.87 dollars) reported Tuesday a 7.6% increase in sales of vehicles in the U.S. in July, thanks to strong sales of Chevrolet, the one of the leading brands of the manufacturer, and the good performance of new models.

Raids by giants of video games on small publishers are ongoing. After the announcement of a Memorandum of surrender by PopCap Games Electronic Arts (0.32% to 22.02 dollars) and the acquisition by Zynga a mobile games publisher in Canada, is the Japanese Sony which went on the offensive by offering Sucker Punch. The American development studio publishes games for consoles, the PlayStation family, including "Sly Cooper" (PS) and "inFamous' (PS3).The amount of the transaction were not disclosed.

Amerigroup (7.47% to 51.65 dollars) is expected to jump at the opening, title, earning more than 5% in electronic trading before the opening of Wall Street. The group of health care services announced yesterday it has won a contract to develop its business in Texas.

Germans advocate a nap at work

A small cultural revolution awaits German companies. In defiance of German prejudices about the South on suspicion of engaging in one guilty of "dolce vita" in numbing the Mediterranean sun, a leader of the German DGB trade union confederation considers that every German should have the right to take a nap on the workplace. "A siesta reduces the risk of heart attack and can replenish your energy," pleads Annelie Buntenbach, a member of the DGB executive committee and board of directors of the Employment Agency.

In a country facing the shock of the falling birth rate, the idea does not seem totally crazy to arrange an aging workforce. Especially a nap of half an hour would also increase efficiency at work payday advance lenders… and thus competitiveness."The midday rest time can compensate for poor performance and when the risk of accident is higher. Nap improves the efficiency, responsiveness and mood, "said Jürgen Zulley, professor of biology at the University of psychological Regensburg.

The debate arises when Angela Merkel said that Southern Europeans are less frequent at work than the Germans. A theory refuted by the OECD statistics, in which the average annual working hours of German (1390 hours) is less than that of a Greek (2119 hours).

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Benefit fraud estimated at 20 billion euros per year

In early June, Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand estimated at "several billion" the amount of social fraud and abuse annually, detected or not. On Tuesday, a parliamentary report published by AFP gives a figure a little more specific: over 20 billion euros. "Either 44 times more than the fraud being detected," wrote the rapporteur for the assessment mission statements for Social Security (MECSS) of the National Assembly, Dominique Tian, ​​UMP deputy of the Bouches-du-Rhone. In 2010, social security fraud was detected, in fact amounted to 458 million euros, a figure nevertheless up 20% year on year.

"Between 10% and 12% of companies are in breach"

Specifically, the report evaluates the existing fraud parliamentary levies (employer and employee contributions not paid because of the black) between 8 and 15.8 billion and those benefits (sick leave benefits, family allowances, RSA etc. .. ) 2 to 3 billion. With respect to illegal work, the UMP elected judge that "the practice is common, if not commonplace in some sectors of the economy." He said that "between 10% and 12% of companies are in breach and between 5% and 7% of employees are not reported." The report is also concerned about the development of "fraud by organized networks of smugglers."

While stressing the government's efforts in the fight, the report points to the results "insufficient".Its authors point out, that "the magnitude of the social deficits and the desire to better control public spending necessitate greater control over social spending." And the example of several European countries that have already moved in this direction, including the United Kingdom and Germany.

Vitale card biometric

The report, made 53 proposals, recommended to "improve the control of the state policy against social fraud" and simplify the "legal framework". The MECSS calls to "restore the face to face for the initial creation of files of requests for benefits and for which the remote procedures facilitate fraud."It also calls for a biometric card Vitale, limited duration, "which would include all social security data of the insured" and that would be issued by municipalities, such as for passports or identity cards.

To better "target audiences fraud", the report also encourages the spread of "Data Mining", or data mining, which involves crossing multiple data from different sources. Social agencies that can now exchange information with tax authorities or banks will benefit by the end of 2011 a common national directory of social protection (RNCP) that will identify compatible services in different branches.

Regarding sick leave abuse, the report suggests developing the "cons-visits" in the private and what is new among public servants.

Premium "presenteeism"

Finally, the fight against absenteeism, the report suggests "the principle of premiums presenteeism" in the image of anything done by the hospitals of Marseille, paying 219 euros gross officers with no absence in the years."This policy, in some ways depressing, had an immediate effect since the rate of abstentéisme fell 0.5% in 2010," while it increased in other hospitals, the report said.

For its part, the government needs Wednesday, the Council of Ministers, to review its action in the fight against fraud social communications with the Minister of Budget, Baroin, the Minister of Labour and Health, Xavier Bertrand, and Solidarity Minister, Roselyne Bachelot.

(With agencies)

3.3 billion euros of overall fraud detected

3.3 billion of fraud have been detected globally in 2010, says Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France on Wednesday morning. In detail, it is tax evasion, which represents most of the scams to the public finances, amounting to 2.4 billion euros.Social fraud is only for its "only" 458 million euros. The Minister of Budget, Baroin, is expected to announce the figures in the day after the cabinet meeting, and give details of its plan to fight against fraud.

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EADS is developing a successor to the Concorde

Paris rally in Tokyo in 2:30. It may be possible around 2050. EADS, the parent company of Airbus, has initiated studies to develop a prototype that physically resembles the Concorde, whose last commercial flights stopped in 2003. The engine of the aircraft of the future for business travel with a capacity of 50 to 100 seats, would at once to fly at high speed while being environmentally friendly, since its goal is zero tailpipe emissions. It will take at least ten years of development before considering the first test flight.

The project is called ZEHST through a partnership between EADS, ONERA, the French aerospace research lab as well as Japan. A feasibility study financed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and its counterpart Japanese, was launched.It is based on the initial results of research carried out by Astrium, a subsidiary of the giant European space aeronautics, as part of its program of sub-orbital aircraft, the Space plane.

Three types of engines

The unit will have three types of engines already on the market that will be used during different phases of flight: take-off up to 5000 meters with a turbo-jet close enough to those fitted to aircraft today, but "these engines will be powered by biofuels third generation developed from growing algae so clean," said Jean Botti, chief technology officer of EADS business card design. When climbing in altitude beyond 20,000 feet at 0.8 Mach, the unit will use cryogenic engines such as the Ariane launcher, powered by hydrogen.Then for the transition to its high speed (mach 4) and a very high altitude (32,000 meters) use ZEHST called Ramjet engines (now fitted to cruise missiles). A model is on display at Le Bourget.

Meanwhile, EADS is working on another concept known as Voltaire, an all-electric machine whose engine would not be placed under the wings but in the tail. The wings would obey the principle of morphing itself adapting to the different phases of flight, said Jean Botti in substance. The device is designed to make short trips with 50 to 70 passengers.

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Air traffic disrupted in Northern Europe

Thousands of passengers were stranded on Tuesday morning in Scotland as a result of the eruption of Icelandic Grímsvötn, which continued Monday spit a heavy cloud of ash and begins to disrupt air traffic in northern Europe. Eurocontrol, the European organization for aviation security, announced that 252 flights were canceled Tuesday.

Indeed, while Europe's airspace remains open, some companies have already taken action. British Airways has decided, "a precaution" to ensure no link between London and Scotland until Tuesday 14h (local time). For its part, the Dutch company KLM canceled sixteen flights between Amsterdam and the northern United Kingdom and Air Lingus and Easyjet have suspended their relations towards Scotland and northern England. In contrast, the British government has ruled out a total closure of its airspace.The Irish Aviation has also ensured that "all airports remain open," although "some flights could be affected by restrictions imposed by other European service providers."

The Scandinavian countries are also affected. The cloud reached Tuesday western Norway and Denmark. However, according to the Norwegian operator of airports, the impact on air traffic remains "very limited" for now. Ashes should be extending south of the country by the end of the day. In Denmark, the airspace was closed below 6000 meters on north-west. Delays and cancellations were reported at the airport in Copenhagen.

'No threat' for France by Thursday

"The cloud should reach the end of the day on southern Scandinavia, Denmark and parts of northern Germany," Eurocontrol said Tuesday.It could then move to France and northern Spain in midweek, "if volcanic emissions continue unabated," says Eurocontrol. Information figaro.fr confirmed Monday by the French Pascal Scavina forecaster. Monday night, the Secretary of State for Transport has, however, wanted Thierry Mariani reassuring. "For the next 48 hours, there is no threat, no risk.From Thursday, all depend on the nature of the eruption, "he said on France 2.

After the eruption of Eyjafjöll a year ago, the scenario of complete paralysis of European airspace could it be repeated? According to Thierry Mariani, "it will not take any risks but we can certainly go through some clouds of ash without any damage to the engines and therefore without any risk."

On Monday, the force of the eruption of Grímsvötn was still considered "important" by the Icelandic Meteorological Services. If the main airport in Iceland, the Reykjavik-Keflavik, reopened Monday night, civil aviation was unable to say whether he would remain operational on Tuesday.

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Oil prices ended the week below $ 100

Doubts seize the oil markets this weekend. On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), the price of a barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery broke down the psychological barrier of $ 100 on Thursday. He confirmed his decline at the close on Friday. After a session of ups and downs, it closed at 97.18 dollars.

On the whole week, the barrel has lost 14.7%. This is the largest decline in weekly percentage terms since the week 19 December 2008 when prices fell by 26.8%.Prices had not changed at these levels since March 16, when the uprisings in the Arab world and worry about the nuclear crisis in Japan had made prices soar.

The downward trend is the same on the Intercontinental Exchange in London where a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for June delivery traded at 108.42 dollars, down 2.38 dollars compared to Thursday. These days, the decline was due to analysts' pessimism about the future numbers of jobs overseas.

Surprise contradictory indicators, the U.S. economy created more jobs than expected in April (244,000). Nevertheless, a barrel continued to decline in early trading, before settling at around 99.45 dollars in mid jouréne in New York.Job creation does not erase the bad macroeconomic indicators released in recent days, suggesting that the recovery remains fragile.

On Thursday, investors are learning that new jobless claims in the United States increased sharply during the last week of April, 474,000 applications for allocations, while economists were expecting a decline. The day before, the numbers of firm ADP showed that job creation in the private sector in the United States slowed in April, well below forecasts of economists.

These announcements point to a decline in oil demand in a context of high oil prices. In addition, a continued rise in U.S. oil inventories, which should have been starting to fall a few months of the summer of large displacements.

In this context, the sharp rise in the dollar makes things worse.Thursday disappointed by the decision of the ECB not to raise interest rates next month, traders got rid of their euros. Result: the single currency, which was worth $ 1.49 yesterday, falling almost 2% to 1.4547 dollar. A situation which penalizes the purchase of dollar-denominated crude and thus rendered less attractive.

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Positive market reaction after the death of Bin Laden

Thunderbolt in the night from Sunday to Monday: in a speech from the White House, Barack Obama announced death of Osama bin Laden, killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan. The President has confirmed information from a top U.S. official relayed by several media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Markets, the announcement of the death of the leader of al-Qaeda had an immediate effect: the dollar has suddenly turned upward against the euro.

The greenback is thus dropped below the $ 1.48 mark to 1.4771 dollar exactly five o'clock, Paris time, against 1.4864 dollars two hours earlier. Similarly, the greenback was trading at 81.66 yen 80.96 yen against just shortly before. The death of public enemy number one U.S. pushes investors to buy the greenback as the dollar continued to drop in recent weeks.The weaker dollar intensified since the decision of the U.S. central bank (Fed) at the end of last week to maintain unchanged its policy of very low rates.

Similarly, oil prices fell back by 1.3% to 112.39 dollars on U.S. markets. The silver prices are also falling by almost 13%. The futures contracts U.S. already announced a rise of nearly 1% of the major indices. As for U.S. Treasury bills to 10 years, they fell back by 2.4 basis points.

"A source of concern is raised in the Middle East," which has led to lower oil prices and hence an increased demand for the dollar, "said Tomohiro Nishida, operator Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking, cited by Dow Jones Newswires. Daisuke karakami, economist at Mizuho Corporate Bank, but warned that the new did "not support the dollar long term."According to him, "the Fed policy is more important for the dollar. The dollar will remain weak against other currencies, except the yen, the Bank of Japan is also providing to keep rates very low for long.

Elsewhere, Asian markets were also buoyant. While the Chinese stock exchanges are closed on Monday, the Nikkei 1.5% advance.

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When the funds will slow growth

The Figaro.fr – Can there be too many funds in the economy?

Jean-Louis Arcand – According to our work, there is a turning point from which the size of the financial sector is beginning to have a negative effect on the economy. More precisely, when the total amount of loans granted by banks to their clients, individuals like firms, exceeds 110% of gross domestic product (GDP, that is to say, the wealth produced by a country). We observed that states with the most prominent financial sectors have suffered more than others during the last crisis.

Why finance has grown as she?

During the past three decades, the U.S. financial sector has grown six times faster than the economy.If banks have grown so much is because they knew, taking risks to maximize their profits, in case of generalized bankruptcy they would be saved. Clearly, they have tended to over-lend to their clients because they underestimated the cost of a possible bankruptcy.

Should we establish by law an unsurpassable level of 110% finance?

It is useless to determine a bar impassable. This does not work, as evidenced by the European rule of a maximum debt equivalent to 60% of GDP make quick cash. It was enough that the powerful countries, France and Germany are close to this threshold so that they overcome them in the mid 2000s. Oting the same time any credibility to this political rule.

How then to control the growth of the financial sector?

Some argue that we must rein in salaries to encourage bankers to take fewer risks.This solution would not change populist: firms always find a way to reward talent. We believe it would be better that the regulator forces banks to keep their coffers sufficient financial reserves to cope with a situation of widespread bankruptcy. By increasing the so-called capital adequacy of institutions, they are forced at the same time to take fewer risks.

The current reform of the banking system, known as Basel III is along these lines …

The proposed controllers do not go far enough. The ratio of equity currently under discussion is 7%. In our view, reserves should be higher by several points to this goal. But the banks already reluctant to adopt this new threshold, saying it will reduce their profitability. This argument is not proven.

The Court of Auditors is to meet VAT

The Courdi accounts furnish his report Friday on the Franco-German tax convergence. According to our information, this report concludes that there is some leeway in France for the VAT hike, but they should be used as part of a major tax reform. He advocated focusing instead on business taxation in order to align the two countries 100% free credit score.

The Court would consider in the future produce a joint report with the Germans focused on corporate taxation. This time it was a true co-relation. The report was issued Friday, he, been realized only by the French Cour des Comptes, which relied on the help of German authorities.

Trading on supplementary pensions hardens

This fifth meeting lasted two hours and a half, and its agenda was presented to a future meeting. Venus discuss the benefits and marital family – widow's pension and bonuses granted to employees who have three children – the trade unions have shifted the debate on the issue of resources.

This Thursday, the social partners had initiated the meeting in a studious atmosphere, but negotiations have progressively strained. The CGT had called on workers to organize rallies – which have remained small scale with a few hundred people – all over France. "Having called the employees involved did have some effect on the negotiations", said to reporters Eric Aubin, leader of the CGT delegation."We had a pretty firm intervention of trade unions on the fundamental question of resources," he said.

Lower yields

Long surplus, private pensions of employees (Arcco) and senior (Agirc) suffered from the crisis and must draw on their reserves to stay in balance. Contrary to the general scheme, they can not actually be losing money. Their rate of return decreases over time and the unions have approached these negotiations with every intention of claiming the stabilizing additional resources."The rate of return over the past 17 years has declined from 25% to Arrco and 30% Agirc, which has the effect an immediate impact of a magnitude roughly equal in terms of replacement rate" , that is to say the percentage of the pension paid from the last salary, says negotiator CGT.

But if everyone agrees on the need to stabilize the rate of return, the remedy proposals diverge. Some unions do not exclude a small increase in contributions from employees. The CFTC proposes 0.4% over two years on the employee and employer contributions. An event which does not hear the employers' organization claiming a brake on competitiveness. Jean-François Pilliard, Medef like to share that the age for obtaining an additional full rate should be extended by 65 to 67 to match the general pension scheme.It also refers to a "greater coherence" between the two regimes and Arcco Agirc. An idea which is wary of the union CFE-CGC executives who do not want a merger. The employers also encourages the control of management costs which he estimated at 1.8 billion euros per year.

Socviaux partners must meet again on March 9. At the sixth meeting, the MEDEF submit for the first time, written proposals. The supplementary pension schemes Agirc-related Arrco 17.5 million private sector employees, including 3.7 million senior and retired 11.2 million, including 2.5 million former executives.They pay every year 63 billion euros in benefits, which account for two thirds of the Executive Pension.

(With AFP)

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