Archive for the ‘life’ Category

The Cac 40 remains in the red

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

The Paris Stock Exchange, plunged into the red. After starting the session hause of 0.10%, the CAC 40 continues into negative territory. Around 10:50, the flagship index Parisian loose 0.42% to 3887.16 points. The threshold of 3900 points, is not maintained. The London Stock Exchange is in the same atmosphere: the Footsie lost 0.41% to 5583.56 points while the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange fell by 0.36% to 5854.58 points.

Yesterday, the Paris markets have ended on a slight decline of 0.18% despite opening in the green (0.35%). In Asia, the situation calmed after the euphoria of Monday. The numbers of U.S. employment, less worse than expected, to cease their invigorating effect. Monday already, Wall Street closed haphazardly in a sitting motionless.

The wait dominates before the publication of figures and important clues on the weekend.French side, there will be foreign trade figures for January and industrial output (Wednesday), the French deficit figures, the trade balance and the number of weekly unemployment in the United States (Thursday), and finally, the much anticipated index of U.S. consumer confidence (Friday).

Meanwhile, the trade deficit narrowed in France in January to 3.681 billion euros against 4.155 billion in December 2009, thanks to increased exports of manufactured goods, the Customs said Tuesday. This figure confirms the resumption of trade, but this recovery is much slower than the drop caused by the crisis, observers said.

EADS in the collimator

EADS announced on Tuesday a loss in 2009 of 763 million euros against a profit last year of 1.5 billion.The group expects a 2010 EBIT of $ 1 billion against 2.2 billion (before provisions) last year, and a stabilization of sales to 42.8 billion euros. Furthermore, EADS and its U.S. ally Northrop Grumman said the night they did not submit a bid for the tanker contract from the U.S. Air Force, saying it benefits their competitor Boeing fast cash without a hassle . The title is heavily penalized Exchange: -5,5,23% to 15.05 euros.

The bank also abused: Credit Agricole (-0.98%), Societe Generale (-0.63%) and BNP Paribas (-0.47%) retreated.

April (2.58% to 23.09 euros) on Monday announced an increase of 20% of its net 2009 profit 72.7 million euros. Financial products have more than doubled to 18.6 million.The insurer expects for 2010 a double-digit growth in its gross margin, with a positive impact on its operating margin (13% in 2009).

Total (0.44% to 42.44 euros) yesterday confirmed the closure of the refinery at Dunkirk and the fulfillment of its participation in the construction of an LNG terminal with EDF (+0.63% at 38 15 euros).

In addition, the electrician announced a collaboration with Rosatom, the Russian nuclear energy giant, in the development of reactors for third countries.Other partnerships are being negotiated with Russia in the field of electricity and fuel.

In the process, GDF Suez is in great shape (+1.18% at 27.80 euros) and achieves the best performance of ACC.

Sanofi Aventis (0.84% to 56.22 euros) and Merck announced Tuesday the creation of a joint venture equally owned in the area of animal health together their subsidiaries Merial and Intervet / Schering-Plow. The agreement created should be finalized within the next twelve months.

Eurotunnel (0.61% to 7.75 euro) remained in the black in 2009, with net income of 1.4 million euros but a turnover of 571 million euros, down 16 %. Jacques Gounon, Eurotunnel's CEO, recalls in an interview with Le Figaro, his intention to "market share" in the future. The group will pay the same dividend as last year, ie 4 cents per share."The payment of a dividend reflects our confidence and determination in 2010," commented Jacques Gounon.

Vicat (-0.07 ù at 56.76 euros) will release after the market closes.

"INTERVIEW – J. Gounon, Eurotunnel's CEO comments on 2009 results

BHP agrees on a price with steelmakers

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Mining giant BHP Billiton ADR agreed with its main customers in Europe, China, India and Japan on short-term sales of coking coal. This agreement puts an end to traditional trading system prices this year among major mining companies and steelmakers.

BHP proposes three options to its customers for contracts on coking coal: an annual listing and every two months for half of the offers, the possibility of reducing tender contracts between quarterly and half, and finally, publication of prices every three months.

According to Macquarie Group, is the first time an agreement on a three-month contract is signed in the steel sector.

Without any contact number, the group said it sold a "significant portion of its volume of coking coal for 2010.JFE Holdings, the second largest Japanese steelmaker, had said last Friday it had agreed to pay $ 200 per tonne over three months. For Jim Lennon, analyst at Macquarie, specialist materials, "the Japanese will prove more flexible on prices." Flexibility which could benefit BHP, Teck Resources, Xstrata, Mechel OAO, Rio Tinto Group, Alpha Natural Resources and Massey Energy.

The new contract for three months, for which Morgan Stanley anticipates a course at $ 222 per ton, beginning 1 April next year, according JFE. One that expires next March 31, is listed at $ 129 per tonne.

On February 26, Energy Publishing, which reports the data supply and demand in the major coal producing countries, has published three price indexes for coking coal."The pricing in the short term will be difficult to manage without a reliable index of the prices of coking coal, which is why the publication of these indexes comes at the right time for the coal markets," said Forrest Hill, President Energy Publishing.

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"The steel prices could increase by 40%

The Greeks in the street, an emergency meeting of EU

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Against "unfair and ineffective sacrifices, Greek officials Wednesday manifested in big cities. A 24-hour strike was launched by the Union Public Service ADEDY, with more than 300,000 members. Employees of public protest against wage cuts announced by the Socialist government to reduce deficits and thus reassure the markets. Tuesday, Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou reiterated wage austerity measures provided for in the Public Service wage freeze, down 10% premium, 30% decrease in overtime, stoppage of recruitment in 2010, except in the sectors of health, education and security. Labor Minister, Andreas Loverdos, proposed back two years to 2015 the average age of retirement to raise it to 63 years.

In Athens, about 5,000 union members protesting in the rain in the streets, which must be added the separate gathering of 5,000 activists of the union Struggle Front (PAME), an offshoot of the ultra-orthodox communist party (KKE). In Salonika, is counting down nearly 3,000 officers pounding the pavement.

Moreover, tens of thousands of officials have answered the call to strike the ADEDY. Air traffic controllers joined the strike and there was no traffic Wednesday in Greece.

Meeting of Finance Ministers of the euro area

These events occur when the finance ministers of the eurozone plan to meet as Wednesday by teleconference to discuss the situation in Greece, several diplomatic sources.

According to Le Monde, President of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet and the chairman of the Eurogroup forum of finance ministers from the eurozone, Jean-Claude Juncker, will join the discussions.

This meeting will be held on the eve of a summit of EU leaders on the issue in Brussels free credit report . At this stage, there is "not agree" on a plan of aid to Greece. The signs, however, a support mechanism for this country is growing. A senior parliamentary Conservative German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Michael Meister, has indicated that preparations were underway in the German Government for an assistance plan.It could take the form of housing provision of bilateral loans to certain countries of the euro area in favor of Greece, to help cope with higher prices for its cost of borrowing on the markets since the beginning of the crisis.The option of an advance payment of EU subsidies to Greece is also considered.

Papandreou lunch with Nicolas Sarkozy

Prime Minister George Papandreou, who visited on Wednesday in Paris, where he has lunch with French President Nicolas Sarkozy had called in an attempt to limit the impact of the strike, officials to "lead by example" to contribute to the crisis.

Furthermore, President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chancellor Angela Merkel Thursday held a joint press conference after the informal EU summit in Brussels, including the situation in Greece, said Wednesday the spokesman for the French government, Luc Chatel. "Under the EU summit, the president will have the opportunity to hold a joint press conference with Merkel on various subjects.I guess the question (of the situation in Greece) will be addressed, "said Luc Chatel in reporting to the press the work of the council of ministers.

"The French government is involved as its European partners on the situation of the euro and the situation in Greece in particular," he said, adding that the Economy Minister Christine Lagarde had "routine contacts with counterparts "on this issue.

ECB: Greece will "in the right direction"

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

No surprises from Frankfurt. The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday left its main interest rate unchanged at 1%. Earlier, the Bank of England also announced the continuation of its policy rate at 0.5%.

In March the Governing Council of the ECB "will take decisions on (…) a gradual lifting of the measures of liquidity [in support of banks] who are no longer as necessary as in the past," said Jean-Claude Trichet at a press conference.

Long awaited on the subject of Greece, Jean-Claude Trichet has held that the fiscal savings by Greece are "not in the right direction.""We are confident in the ability of Greece will take all decisions necessary to achieve the objective" of a deficit below 3% of GDP by 2012, said President of the ECB personal business card . No exceptions will be made for any area countries, "he said.

While Portugal and Spain in turn disturb markets, Jean-Claude Trichet reiterated that it was "crucial" that all countries "respect strictly the exit procedures for excessive deficits."

"According to the International Monetary Fund, the overall deficit of the euro area will rise to 6%", said Jean-Claude Trichet. "The United States will be at 10%, Japan is also at 10%.(…) A more flattering comparison for the euro area! Nevertheless, we exhibit unabsence total of convenience "in the direction of monetary policy," he said.

Tower Records in Dubai against crisis

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

Proponents maintain flirtation with the mystery on its exact size, but with over 800 meters high, the Burj Dubai will have no trouble to climb to the summit since it exceeds by at least 300 meters above the current building in the world, Taipei 101 Taiwan (508 meters). The question is whether this will be the last great Pharaonic site long before the emirate in the Middle East crisis.

The story goes that the emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, had returned to its initial project promoters with poor 90 floors. "We thought little of beating the record held by the Taipei 101 tower. But the client asked us each to go higher, but we set limits, "says architect Bill Baker, the firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill of Chicago, developer of the skyscraper.

Click on thumbnail for larger graphic

Occupation: No recovery until 2011

Friday, December 25th, 2009

The stabilization of the unemployment rate to 9.1% of the workforce, the French plunges further into the past: in early 2006, when the indicator peaked at a similar figure, before falling to unprecedented s 'is followed. In total, during the year 2009, the weak economy has had reason to 373,000 jobs, an increase in the number of job seekers by 20.3%. A particularly tough fall for the industry, which has accumulated during that dark year structural and cyclical crises, destroying nearly 100,000 jobs for the first half of 2009 alone.

Measures directly aimed at boosting the labor market, set up under the stimulus plan, however, seem to have limited the damage. "Put in connection with money taken by other countries, the stimulus is small.But the measures for use therein have been good "said Eric Heyer, Deputy Director at OFCE.

Offset

In total, the government estimates at 400,000 the number of jobs created or preserved by all actions taken under the recovery plan partial unemployment, subsidized contracts, extending device reclassification professional device "zero charge" for the 'hiring of an employee by TPE … -. If this figure is currently not verifiable, stabilizing unemployment announced by INSEE in the third quarter of 2009, and out of recession that began in the second, appear reassuring signals. … While analysts agree today to find that the adjustment of the labor market is still far from complete.

When is therefore a market recovery in employment and lower unemployment? Not before 2011, say the economists."Growth of 1.3% proposed by employment center for 2010 will not be sufficient to generate net new jobs," said Ernst and Bernard, director of statistics, surveys and forecasts for employment center. "Given the French productivity, only a growth above 2.5% would generate" confirms Eric Heyer, highlighting the gap of three quarters generally observed between resumed growth and lower unemployment rates. Same story with Nicolas Bouzou, economist at Altars, which estimates that unemployment will stabilize at best in 2010. "The problem is that this stabilization occurs at a high level," says he.

Brakes

Various factors should indeed help to limit the decline in unemployment in the months ahead.First, partial unemployment: as he has played a buffer role on the labor market by reducing redundancies, it should eventually stop the resumption of hiring. The 143,000 employees have benefited from the device indeed logically gather their full-time position, in priority to any additional recruitment. Second brake that is particularly Eric Heyer: the reinstatement of unemployment discouraged job seekers. "The stabilization of unemployment in the third quarter was partly due to traditional discouraged jobseekers less well positioned on the labor market.When the activity will leave, they re-subscribe, mechanically limiting the decline in unemployment. "An argument that employment center does not yet resumed its consideration.

If the unemployment rate should best pursue its stabilization in 2010, an additional shadow is looming: While the acceleration slows overall unemployment in recent months, the increase in long-term unemployed, who thus lose some little employability, increasing gradually. "The first people to find work are generally those who have been unemployed for some time. The number of long-term increases so mechanically, and should in this case continue to grow in first quarter 2010.

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OPEC: consensus on maintaining production levels

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

The suspense was lifted on the eve of a meeting of oil cartel in Luanda. Abdallah el-Badri, secretary general of the organization, said Monday the consensus between the different member countries. An increase in OPEC production "is not in the radar" for next year, he also said, saying the current price levels were "very comfortable".

"Stocks (…) are a little high," then said Abdullah el-Badri, adding that the cartel, which is not less than 40% of world production, was to "bring them back to reasonable levels."

It has, finally, stressed the importance of meeting production quotas imposed on member countries. In late 2008, OPEC had agreed to remove the oil market 4.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to stem the collapse in oil prices which had touched $ 30 a barrel.In November, the 11 members bound by quotas (excluding Iraq) pumped 1.6 million bpd more than its official ceiling, according to the International Atomic Energy.