Archive for the ‘international’ Category

The Paris Bourse again weighed down by Greece

Monday, September 19th, 2011

The Greek crisis can not stop producing its adverse effects on the markets. Having completed an eventful week in the red Friday, the CAC 40 retreated 2.37% to 2969.30 points in mid-session on Monday, passing well below 3000 points.

Even gloomy atmosphere on other European financial centers: the Frankfurt Dax falling 3.02%, the Madrid Stock Exchange of 2.24%, the FTSE-100 in London fell by 2.08% to 5,295.75 and Milan 2.34%.

Concerns about the hypothesis of a failure of Greece again weigh on investor sentiment, like those of Asian stock markets on Monday. Friday and Saturday together in Wroclaw, Poland, EU finance ministers have decided to postpone their decision in October on a loan of 8 billion euros in Athens, pending the outcome of a "troika", under 18 hours, on the progress of promised reforms.

In addition, they have made little progress on the second aid plan for Greece, nearly 160 billion euros including the private sector, pledged in principle last July 21. Greece should show its good will, while his government is accused of delay in implementing measures to reduce the deficit. This Sunday, Athens has announced in the wake of new economies to reassure its European partners.

It must be said that in Europe, solidarity with Greece began to annoy the majority of people. Evidenced by this poll Ifop for Sunday Ouest France, which states that 68% of the French disapprove of the increase in French contribution to the rescue of Athens.And while "divisions" have emerged among governments and the European Central Bank, as noted by Timothy Geithner, U.S. Treasury Secretary, on the sidelines of the meeting of European finance ministers that he was invited .

To fill a deficit in the U.S. To this must be added the concerns about the U.S. economy, which pose a risk to global growth. Markets await including many of the plan for the use of 447 billion dollars of Barack Obama. The U.S. president, anxious to see his program pushed by Congress, has called this weekend to support the Republicans, to avoid "dead end".He also warned the Americans Saturday that they would provide "pull their weight" to reduce the country's budget deficit, while the United States must find 1.2 trillion dollars in savings by the end of the year. Thus, Barack Obama will propose to Congress Monday a tax on the income of taxpayers earning over a million dollars a year.

Analysts and investors are also awaiting a meeting of the Federal Reserve on Tuesday and Wednesday on interest rates in the United States. The feeling now is that the U.S. central bank will launch a new version of "Operation Twist" program to exert downward pressure on interest rates over time.Such a prospect would be a tasteful for scholarships, especially as the Fed pledged to keep rates low until mid-2013 at least.

Macroeconomic side, in Britain, the Financial Times this fall could be a gap of 13 Internet Payday loans.8 billion euros in public finances, or 25% more than expected. Such an amount would extend the austerity policies adopted in Britain.

In the U.S., the NAHB housing index will be released in 16 hours.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro accentuated his decline against the dollar on Monday. The euro bought 1.3653 dollars against 1.3797 dollars on Friday night. He fell last week below the threshold of $ 1.36 for the first time since February. Oil prices are also in the red. Around 12:30 in Paris, a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery traded at 111.75 dollars in London, giving 47 cents from Friday's close.In electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of "light sweet crude" (WTI) for October delivery gave up $ 1.19 to 86.77 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

• Banking and cyclic to the death

Mid-session all CAC 40 stocks are in the red. Societe Generale (-4.85% to 18.04 euros) and BNP Paribas (-2.62% to 27.45 euros) are again in turmoil. Doubts about their strength threatens the economy by depressing household and pushing companies to delay their hiring and investment, analysts and professionals.French banks have agreed to exchange more than 90% of Greek bonds they currently hold in the second aid package to Greece decided in late July, said Friday the Minister of Economy, Baroin.

Cyclical stocks, the more dependent the economy, declined also to the image of ArcelorMittal (-5.24% to 12.66 euros) which records the heaviest fall of the CAC 40.

• EADS (-0.29% to 22.03 euros)

Qatar is interested in buying Daimler a 7.5% stake in EADS, according to the Sunday edition of Der Spiegel.

• Technip (-3.02% to 66.21 euros)

The group said it had been awarded by a contract Petobras provision of basic engineering and detailed design for a new fertilizer complex to be located in Uberaba, in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

• Sanofi (-1.68% to 47.68 euros)

The pharmaceutical giant said Monday it has obtained from the American justice the right to maintain exclusivity until August 2012 U.S. sales of Eloxatin, a drug against colorectal cancers.

• Natixis (-1% to 2.36 euros) and Safran (-3.69% to 25.32 euros)

The bank released the CAC 40, replaced by the industrial and technology group, previously listed on the SBF 120.

• STMicroelectronics (-4.92% to 4.73 euros)

The group has financial capacity to make acquisitions in microprocessors or motion sensors if the opportunity arises, says the CEO of a Wall Street Journal interview published Monday.

• ABC Arbitrage (-1.98% to 6.45 euros)

The company specializes in exploiting price differences between similar financial instruments, recorded a net profit of 16 million euros over the first six months of the year against 15.3 million euros in the first half of 2010.

Gucci ready to accelerate its expansion in China

Sunday, September 11th, 2011

Nanning, capital of the Guangxi region on the border of Vietnam, is the thirty-second Chinese city in which Gucci is settled in a few weeks. After opening nine stores in mainland China last year, and as much this year, including Gucci has 48 stores in late December, seven times more than in 2005.

At the time, François-Henri Pinault, PPR's CEO, decided to focus on China so that Gucci will catch up with Vuitton. "We still have room for significant expansion for store openings, says François-Henri Pinault. And to establish ourselves in cities where we are still not present. "If Beijing and Shanghai seem saturated with luxury boutiques, the potential is huge elsewhere in China.

News consumption

According to McKinsey, the growth of the Chinese luxury market, which will reach 19.5 billion euros in 2015 (against 7.4 billion in 2008), comes to nearly 80% of new consumers of luxury goods. And three-quarters of the 2.8 million new wealthy families (annual disposable income above 25 000 euros) will be living outside China's major cities. Gucci could increase the number of openings next year, and opened more than ten stores, including several in new cities. A figure that PPR declined to comment, but said a plan to finish Hothot (Inner Mongolia) in 2013.

"In some mining towns, just 2,000 wealthy individuals to establish a customer, provides Mimi Chang, the owner of the luxury division for Asia.We offer a VIP service to everyone. "

Gucci is present in cities (Chongqing, Guiyang, Hefei, Changzhou, Jinan, Shijiazhuang), where Louis Vuitton, the world's leading brand of luxury, has not printed the monogram direct payday lenders. The subsidiary of LVMH has instead decided to take a break from the pace of openings in China, preferring to expand some existing shops (38 in 28 cities in mainland China), to present all its collections, with, Also bags and luggage, ready-to-wear, shoes and watches, sometimes more than 1000 square meters. One way to avoid repeating the mistake made by some brands in the 1990s in Japan. "Gucci has not enough history to be strong in all categories of products and open many flagships, says François-Henri Pinault.But perhaps we will open in the future. "Gucci prefer open shops only 400 square meters, with only the supply of leather goods, as well as outlets that are only offering men and children. "We prefer the shops not very large and welcoming with huge stores and cold," said François-Henri Pinault.

The strategy is complicated to implement. Not only because it is difficult to find sites for boutiques in secondary cities. But also because consumer habits are different.If the Chinese fans prefer the luxury of more and more high-end pieces, leather and discreet, the new rich want to see success with products at affordable prices in fabric and adorned with logos.

Purchasers of Gucci China, who go five times a year in Florence, the birthplace of the brand, to make their selection, must make the splits. The range varies from store to store. Gucci watch to keep a wide range to suit all tastes of luxury, design special pieces for the Chinese market and seasonal products. Objective: To deter the Chinese to defer their purchases while traveling in Europe, where prices are 15-20% lower due to the lack of import tax.

The real estate capital gains taxed more in February

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Owners of second homes and those with a property other than their primary residence could be based, in recent years, on stable tax rules. To calculate the tax payable on resale of the property, the gain was reduced by 10% per year after five years in prison. This led to a full exemption after two years. In times of scarcity of public finances, this plan was considered too generous.

After many negotiations, members of the majority and the government managed to agree on a new system. Unless new amendment to the Senate, these reductions always will engage after five years in prison. But instead of 10% a year, they amount to 2% between the sixth and sixteenth years of detention, 4% between the seventeenth and twenty-fourth year and 8% thereafter.It was not until thirty years (instead of fifteen) to see its added value exempt. This regime will apply to final bills of sale signed on 1 February 2012. Given the usual delays, it will be necessary to sign the trade deadline in November. When the tax applies, the rate is 32.5%.

Increase in new sales

As a result, professionals expect an increase in offered for sale by then. "Owners who hold their property for at least fifteen years will want to take advantage of the current exemption of capital gains," said Jean-François Humbert, notary in Paris. Not sure, however, that buyers are at the rendezvous no teletrack payday loan. "Individuals who do like to let investment buy empty flats, said Laurent Vimont, president of Century 21.Or those who put their property to sell in a hurry are likely to already have a tenant. "

Sales of second homes, they weigh only 7% of the market (56,000 sales per year). And the fall is not a favorable period for transactions involving such property. But if the sale is finally concluded, it will probably be with lower prices. "Owners can grant rebates 5 to 10% up to sell quickly," said Jean-François Buet. As of February 1, however, the market is likely to seize up. "With the entry into force of this device and the negative pre-election period conducive to procrastination, the owners will be tempted to keep their property, advance Mael Bernier, spokesman for the loan broker Loans. The number of sales expected to decline. "

Is that the market is very sensitive to shifts in tax.Before the deputies did retouch the future scheme, the government announced on August 24 suppression of hard-reliefs and exemptions on real estate gains. The reaction was immediate. Within the network of estate agents Century 21, 500 sales agreement and terms of sale 1500 were canceled over the last two weeks. "In our 75 000 mandates, 5% were removed," adds Bernard Cadeau, president of the Orpi teaches.

The Fed is concerned about growth

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

After the European Central Bank (ECB), it's time for the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) to dive into the arena. The Central Bank of the United States met on Tuesday FOMC's Monetary Committee. Supposed to be, usually, a meeting classic, this appointment has turned the eyes of the financial world in crisis meeting. It is indeed the first time the Fed meets in public since the beginning of the financial crisis and especially his first public speaking since the deterioration of the financial rating of the United States by Standard & Poor's.

Not surprisingly, it has maintained its key interest rates between 0% and 0.25%. However, she said that this policy would be extended "until mid-2013," sign it receives considerable stress on growth. In fact, she says, "the risks to the economy rose" and growing "considerably slower than expected."

Other measures

"The Fed is playing a tough game with the words, it must show it is taking the situation seriously, without making too much not that the markets are worried about a return to recession," said Philippe Bruneau, Director central bank Neuflize OBC. For the latter, "the only good news for the current crisis is the drop in oil prices, which dropped below the 80 dollars a barrel after reaching $ 115 in the spring. A decrease of $ 10 is equivalent to 0.3 percentage point of growth in addition to the United States. " It is not certain that the message of this evening of the Federal Reserve reassured. Especially since three members of the Monetary Committee voted against the decision to keep rates from 0 to 0.25% until 2013.Evidence that the division now also prevails in the central bank.

Taking note of the slowdown in action, the Fed said "consider further steps to promote stronger economic growth." But without saying more. "Ben Bernanke was forced to send a message to investors and told them that he will continue to support the price of U.S. government bonds, weakened by the S & P's decision," said Antoine Brunet, director of AB Markets.But by not precise commitments, Ben Bernanke shows how the scope is narrow to implement this new policy unconventional.

China, the first lender in the United States which it holds more than 1.3 trillion dollars in debt, is fiercely opposed to these measures, particularly in quantitative easing, which is for the Fed to directly purchase U.S. Treasury debt. "To walk the printing press allows the U.S. to go into debt on the backs of low-cost external creditors," a summary of the economists of HSBC. Moreover, "it keeps the dollar at low levels and put pressure on emerging currencies, including the yuan." The Chinese authorities find themselves faced with an alternative: let their currencies appreciate or prevent this movement, which requires in turn create the currency.Action inconsistent with their goal to fight against inflation (see cons below). "In one way or the other, China is losing, 'the experts of HSBC. The previous quantitative easing campaign was very unpopular in China. A new one could cause actual casus belli. With the key threat by Beijing to stop buying U.S. Treasuries.

Obama has not been able to preserve the Wall Street panic

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

At the opening of Wall Street, U.S. indices posted immediately red (around 3%). And losses have widened throughout the session. Accentuating even further their descent, the indices have hurt Barack Obama's speech, who spoke to 20 hours Paris time, the Nasdaq has lost more than 6.5% shortly after the speech. And bad mood has not dimmed until the closing bell on the contrary, the end of the session was sprotive. Finally, the Dow Jones appears falling from 5.55% to 10,809.85 points. This is the first time since October that the index feature finishes below 11,000 points, its worst day in percentage terms since December 2008, a dark period for the financial sector.

The Nasdaq, even punished, won 6.90% to 2357.69 points, while the S & P tumbles 6.66% to 1119.46 points.On Monday, European markets have dropped out late in the session, while the Asian markets, have also, finished the day on heavy folds.

When Barack Obama spoke in an attempt to reassure the markets, investors do not stop selling. Worse, they pressed the pedal and drop is even more markets. "The United States still deserve note 'AAA'," said Monday night during a speech Barack Obama, on the downgrade of U.S. debt Friday by the rating agency Standard and Poor's. The U.S. president also defended the credit of the United States but acknowledged a deficit problem. Barack Obama, however, that the economic challenge was surmountable but require political will.

Nothing to do."The deterioration in the rating of the United States is clearly the catalyst for the drop in markets today, but is not the reason, according to Michael Sheldon, chief strategy officer at RDM Financial. Degradation is simply evidence that the U.S. has problems. "

Gold still a step higher, oil falls below $ 82

Witness the panic in the markets, gold has posted yet another record high and rose 4.25% to 1722 dollars an ounce at 20:30, before returning to 1717 dollars to 22 hours. Oil, however, has dropped by more than 6% Monday in New York, their lowest levels since November.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery finished the session at 81.31 dollars, down 5.57 dollars or 6.4% on Friday.

Paradoxically, U.S. bond rates continue to decline, those same 10 years falling by 8.5% melting at 2.339% against 2.558% Friday. Good to 30 years returned to 3.663% against 3.823%. However, after degradation much faster than expected by Standard & Poor's sovereign rating of the United States, which had never been subjected to such a penalty could have been expected to climb pay day loans. Sign that investors still believe that the U.S. still refer to the bond market.

Moody's said Monday it could, too, by 2013 reduce the debt rating of the United States if the fiscal and economic outlook deteriorated sharply.But she considers it possible in the meantime a new agreement in Washington to reduce the deficit.

Menu macro loaded, with the FOMC in dish

This week, the lower macroeconomic indicator to take the pulse of a threatened U.S. growth will be expected to turn to investors.

From Tuesday, the productivity of U.S. companies in the second quarter and will be scrutinized closely. The risk is to see it getting more than expected, resulting in a logical breakdown of the job. Consumer confidence is also on the menu. But the final communique of the Monetary Policy Committee of the U.S. Federal Reserve (FOMC), from that Tuesday night will go to the most crucial.

Analysts and investors are wondering already if further monetary easing, (3 or quantitative easing "EQ3") can get out.Unless it is an aid to banks, which could begin to experience problems of interbank liquidity, which is preferred. "In all cases, the reaction of short-term market is very uncertain …" says it does at Aurel BGC.

Friday, retail sales will be the second major economic meeting a week at high risk on financial markets worldwide. "The sales figures published by the values ​​of the S & P 500 were clearly disappointing July, underline in this respect analysts Aurel BGC. But the report shows significant employment job creation in the distribution. A figure that looks very uncertain. "The trade balance in June should also be well attended.

Bank of America falls 20%

Meanwhile, the business side, the publications of interim results are less numerous and can only remember very little attention to markets, obsessed by the European and U.S. sovereign debt. Walt Disney reveals in particular accounts on Tuesday, ahead of Cisco in the matter and News Corp (Wednesday) and Nordstrom, Sara Lee, and Kohls (Thursday), and finally JC Penney (Friday).

American International Group (AIG: -9.92% to 22.61 dollars) continues Bank of America (-20.07% to 6.53 dollars), calling him more than $ 10 billion (7 billion euros) losses related to mortgages, it said in the text of the complaint.According to this document, which Reuters obtained a copy, AIG believes it was misled by the bank about securities backed by mortgages, which caused losses. The insurer wants to sue Bank of America to the Supreme Court of the State of New York in Manhattan.

Sponsors: "Lacourt can thank Manaudou"

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Lefigaro.fr – Since his triple gold medal at the European Championships in Budapest in 2010, Camille Lacourt has increased its advertising contracts. How does the commercial success he started?

Jean-François-Salessy After his success in Budapest in August 2010, Camille has indeed come to me with Fabien Gilot Ménart and William, all three members of the Swimming Club of Marseilles, so we work together. In less than 24 hours in September 2010, and even if I was going to take a year off, it was decided. Camille's situation was a bit special because it suddenly goes from darkness to light, and was approached by many brands, especially in the beauty and cosmetics.We are closer to Clarins and their way of approaching things convinced us to work with them, rather than with other brands, less respectful of the requirements for driving a top athlete. The first six-year contract (to 200,000 euros per year, ie), indexed on the results of Camille and with a conversion clause, was based on what competitors offered. It was a beautiful first contract. We have also partnered with the OEM Tyre, which is unusual since Camille involved in the development and technical improvement of products it uses. He is also interested in the sale of these products, between 10 and 15% of sales according to the ranges.

French swimmers are they becoming future footballers?

I do not believe, and I do not want to turn into Camille Lacourt Christmas tree.We will announce in September a new partnership with a ready-to-wear, but it should be the last. He is now fine partnerships should not be wasted by "selling" in all directions. When talking about total earnings of Camille Lacourt (estimated this year to 700,000 euros ed), we forget that it is barely a month's salary football star. On the other hand, it is undeniable that the French swimming much more interested in brands and sponsors that there are six or seven years. I think Camille can say thank you to Laure Manaudou, who opened a gap, taking the very strong public support. It is no secret: it has made this popular sport, which attracted the public, media and sponsors. Today these brands look like a real sport discipline of competition, with major events and boys and girls out of the ordinary …who is a potential advertising. In a few months, these boys and girls who emerge may tell themselves, thank you to Camille Lacourt!

Jeremy just Stravius, who also athletic Tuesday, he may steal the show with brands?

It is a bit simplistic to look at it that way. Each swimmer to his personality. Camille Lacourt someone is authentic, casual and simple, has a rather glamorous image. This is not a scoop. But by winning yesterday with Jeremy Stravius ​​his world title in 100 meter backstroke, he also confirmed that he had not physically beautiful, he had another dimension. Which was very important to us because being European champion was not enough.If that fails, many would have indeed been delighted to say that he had lost in the advertising contracts and partnerships! The next objective is to confirm the sporting dimension to the London Olympics in 2012 (which would also provide the swimmer performance related bonuses as part of its contracts with Clarins and Tyre, ed.) For his part, Jeremy Stravius ​​has the best performance of his career. I am not his agent but I think its position corresponds to a different segment than Camille. His image more reassuring, more associated with strength, may be of interest to companies in the energy sector, banking or insurance. Like Alain Bernard for example, and partnerships with EDF Assurances or April.

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Asia market falls into the red

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Earlier this week in the red for the Asian markets. While the euro area has managed to agree on a bailout of Greece, the markets are now focusing on the United States where members of Congress have tried again Sunday to reach an agreement on raising the ceiling debt, but without success. As discussions get bogged down, operators are looming deterioration of the U.S. debt. A nightmare scenario envisioned by the markets to nine days of the deadline mentioned by the Treasury before a default.

At the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Nikkei, which started on a decline of 0.51%, has cut its losses during the meeting. An hour of closing, he gave up 0.79% at 10,052 points. The market was particularly weighed down by further appreciation of the yen against the greenback. In morning trading, the dollar is worth 78.35 yen against 78.47 Friday.Export values ​​suffer, just like Sony (-2.05%), Honda Motor (-0.93%) and Toyota (-1.05%).

The concerns are the same in the rest of the region. The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Shanghai respectively lost 0.79% and 2.10%. In Hong Kong, the banking sector is battered. HSBC 0.77% loose. In Korea, the Kospi was down 0.81% while in Australia, the S & P gives up 1.48%. Only the Indian Sensex manages to remain in the green, up 0.13%.

Oil down

Oil prices were also down on their Monday in electronic trading in Asia, the market worried about the lack of agreement in the United States on raising the debt ceiling.

In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for August delivery lost 1.08 dollars to 98.79 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery lost 60 cents to 118.07 dollars.

Hiring on permanent contracts rose in France

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

After a dynamic first quarter of 2011 (+8.4%), statements of hiring more than a month have edged down 1.4% in second quarter 2011, according to a study published ACOSS today ' hui. But they are nevertheless remained at a high level (1.94 million hires), comparable to the peak reached in early 2008. This decrease is due to decreased hiring in CSD over a month (- 4.6%), while those on permanent contracts have kept a steady pace (+2.9%). Including contracts of less than one month, the total number of declarations of non-temporary employment has remained stable compared to last quarter. However, it rose 5.7% year on year.

The decline in hiring of more than a month was mainly observed in the very small (- 2.9%). In companies with more than 20 employees, these hires were stable (- 0.3%), supported by the CDI (6.5%).In one year, reports of hiring more than a month increased by 2.0% in TPE and 8.5% in companies with more than 20 employees.

Beware of counterfeit notes of 20 and 50 euros

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

In the first six months of the year, the European Central Bank, through the 17 national central banks in the euro area, has withdrawn from circulation approximately 296,000 counterfeit euro banknotes. A figure down 18.8%. As usual, these are the breaks of 20 and 50 euros that have been copied the most, with respectively 43 and 36% of counterfeit notes detected. Thus, the probability of having one day turn a fake is minimal, since currently, 15 billion euro banknotes circulating in the world with 13 billion in the hands of 330 million Europeans.

How to recognize a counterfeit bill? "First is the button: the ticket must be firm and crack when it is bent, and some inscriptions in relief is palpable. Then you look at it: we mark the traditional watermark, the black security, we detect signs of security by transparency, etc..And then tilts: the band or disc holographic silver toggles the face value and the € symbol, "said Francis Coustin, communications director of the Bank of France, stating that there are eight recognizable security features of immediately, then another series of signs visible with ultraviolet light, which traders often have, and finally other signs that only the European Central Bank and national central banks can detect. In all, there are 63! (See the interactive presentation of the security features of the ECB)

The ECB shall ensure consistently maintain its technological edge on the counterfeiters, who face risks thirty years' imprisonment and 450,000 euros fine. The Bank of France, also a civil party, does not claim a symbolic euro in damages.Within the Eurosystem, work is underway to develop a second series of euro banknotes, the theme will look like the current (see box).

A ticket is damaged, torn, not calcined is not lost

Think again if you think the ticket you just go to the machine, or your child has torn, is worthless. While it may legitimately be refused by your merchant, but the Bank of France, she will be able to replace them. In extreme cases – ticket sales, burned, burned, mutilated, wet, soft, bonded, etc.. – It is always possible to be "paid" but for a fee of 20%.

Francis Coustin the occasion of the exhibition Euro: the exhibition at the Cité des Sciences and Industry at La Villette (Paris XX) until September 4 – which comes in a fun way about the history of the euro, its manufacture, the security features of tickets, etc..- Chronicles the misadventures of people who burned their tickets, ensuring that parts of the Vatican, Monaco or San Marino (Italy) should be retained as they are rare … and therefore valuable, but warns, however, that collecting tickets francs (date of exchange limit, February 17, 2012) does not promise any profit, "they will be worth nothing then strictly."

Euro: the exhibition, organized for the first time in France, the European Central Bank and the Bank of France, has already attracted over 100,000 visitors in recent months in Europe, from Barcelona to Tallinn via Rome or Berlin.

Cotton in the mass circulation

• How does one manufacture a ticket?

To make the paper is bleached cotton fibers (only one note is made of cotton) in a water bath at high pressure and high temperature.The resulting pulp is then passed through a paper machine. To obtain the special paper, called Paper Trust, own bank notes, are incorporated in the paper some security features such as watermarks and security thread.

• Where do we manufacture the tickets?

In Europe, paper is supplied banknote paper to the fourteen high-security printers who print the euro banknotes in the European Union. In France, since 1915, tickets are no longer manufactured at Bercy, in Seine-et-Marne, but Chamalières (print) Auvergne – nothing to do with Valerie Giscard d'Estaing, who became finance minister from 1962 to 1966 -, and Vic-le-Comte (stationery). A year earlier, the Paris site was briefly occupied by the Germans, hence the decision to relocate the "safe" to an area less exposed.

• How many tickets are made in France?

In 2010, 2.45 billion tickets were delivered by the Manufacturing billest which 1738 billion euro, central banks outside the euro zone commander in France tickets. Every day, these are some 6.7 million tickets that are born in Auvergne.

• Where do the tickets then?

Once made, the tickets are sent to branches of the Banque de France equipped with crates. Then carriers (Brinks, etc.). Come back to supply banks, which themselves carry out their distributors, or retail, which brews each day astronomical amounts of cash, and merchants.

• How long does a ticket?

Tickets and circulate from hand to hand, and come back regularly and the Bank of France, which sorts all tickets at once, to put back into circulation as tickets safe and in good condition. To do this, sorting machines at high speed are used to check in a split second the authenticity of tickets. Notes unfit for circulation are destroyed and replaced.Finally, an average, the average life span of a 5 euro note is fourteen months and that of a ticket 50 euros for three and a half years.

• Some rules to know:

– A merchant has the right to deny him a ticket that looks suspicious, a merchant can refuse to cash more than 50 pieces in a single payment, a merchant has the right to refuse a big ticket for a small purchase: the customer must to the extra-A trader does not have the right to refuse display notes 100, 200 and 500 euros denying a legal tender banknotes is punishable under the Penal Code-If I a ticket printer or scanner, I am off-the-law.

The design of banknotes and coins

• Tickets continennent all a European monument and a bridge. But if some drawings look fiercely at a known site, none really exists.In December 1996 that ended the contest European models of the euro banknotes, which was won by Robert Kalina, designer of the National Bank of Austria. Gaphisme inspired by the architectural styles of seven periods in the history of European culture: the classic notes of € 5, the novel for those 10 euros, Gothic for 20euros, the Renaissance for 50 euros Baroque and Rococo for 100 euros, glass and steel to 200 euros, and the architecture of the twentieth century for 500 euros.

• As for parts, the idea was that they have a common European side (battery) and the national side (face). A European competition was then held to select the number of common sides. The winner was Luc Luycx, graphic designer at the Royal Belgian Mint. And in the end, the 17 countries of the euro area are some 136 different pieces move.The choice of the national side has done differently in each country. In Italy, the themes were selected by viewers of the Italian channel RAI. In monarchies, the effigies of kings were most often represented.

"Join the game" Rally France Euro 2011 for children aged 9 to 12 on www.euro.ecb.eu

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Good results support Wall Street

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Wall Street opened up Friday, the good quarterly results published by Google and Citigroup offset concerns over the sovereign debt of both sides of the Atlantic. A few minutes after the opening, the Dow Jones gained 0.5% (62.28 points) to 12,499.40, the S & P 500 took 0.6% (7.87 points) to 1,316.74 and the Nasdaq Composite progressed from 0.97% (26.67 points) to 2789.34. Thursday, Wall Street has ended in the red.

The New York Stock Exchange, however, could be subject to significant headwinds on Friday, with one hand the threat of Standard and Poor's rating on the United States and comments from the Fed that has dampened hopes of new measures support the economy, and the other successful companies including Google, which announced Thursday after the close of figures well above expectations.

The issue of U.S. debt should again be a central concern of investors. The negotiations started on the subject by U.S. President Barack Obama with the Republican opposition are currently deadlocked, Republicans a majority in the House of Representatives refused to vote an increase in attacks and demanding that the deficit .

Finally, sovereign debt in the euro area will remain a central concern.No date has been officially given for the planned summit between European leaders to try to stop the contagion of the debt crisis, a blur that weighs more on investor sentiment.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro has stabilized against the dollar at 1.4140 dollars against 1.4141 dollars last night. The euro rose slightly, however, against the Japanese currency to 112.03 yen against 111.89 yen yesterday. On the commodities market in the current context of heightened uncertainty about the public debt in Europe and the United States, gold is looking for: the metal-King reached a new record yesterday to 1594.45 dollars. It flows back slightly this morning.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for August delivery traded at 96.46 dollars, up 77 cents from the previous day.

On the front indicators, the index of consumer prices declined 0.2% compared to May, seasonally adjusted data, while analysts expected a 0.1% decline, according to their median forecast . The activity of the manufacturing industry shrank in the New York area in June for the second consecutive month, according to the Empire State index released Friday by the central bank (Fed) remained negative at -3.8. Analysts predicted that this index, which had fallen sharply in the previous month to -7.8, ironed above zero, the boundary between growth and contraction.Industrial production is, it, in line with expectations, up 0.2% in June

Google the center of attention

The side of values, Google announced after the close having recorded an increase in earnings of about 36% in the second quarter of 2011, despite investments still rising in the world's leading Internet search. The title wins more than 11% to 591.05 dollars.

Citigroup (2.49% to $ 40) Friday reported a 22% increase in net profit in the second quarter to $ 3.3 billion (2.33 billion euros) against 2.7 billion a year earlier. The third U.S. bank by assets shows a profit of $ 1.09 per share against $ 0.90 a year earlier, while economists were expecting $ 0.96.

The day before, JPMorgan said it had done for the second quarter net income of $ 5.4 billion against 4.8 billion last year. Net banking income rose by 7% over the quarter and 6% in the first quarter to 27.4 billion. The title gives 0.42% to 40.20 dollars

Always on the side of values, Hyatt Hotels (0.13% to 39.32 dollars) has announced the acquisition of a series of 24 hotels and assets attached for about $ 802 million from LodgeWorks and a group of capital investors. The transaction should generate an increase in operating income for the group of about $ 50 million from 2012.

The Board of Directors of Ralcorp Holdings (-1.96% to 84.92 dollars) has unanimously approved the principle of a split between Post and Ralcorp Foods.In addition, the company said to expect an adjusted earnings per share from 1.13 to $ 1.18 in the third quarter.

Also note, the Advisory Committee of U.S. health authorities (FDA) for oncology pharmacy issued a recommendation unanimously in favor of an accelerated approval process for Adcetris, a drug from the laboratory to Seattle Genetics treat Hodgkin's lymphoma. The title gives up 11.21% to 18.05 dollars.