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Towards a tax on financial transactions?

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

A further step for the tax on financial transactions tax known as "Tobin". The European Commission will propose its creation as part of its next Buget for the period 2014-2020. She hopes to raise up to 50 billion euros per year, according to European sources cited by Reuters.

Another major proposal for the new budget: funding for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) would be frozen at their current level of 370 billion euros, the sources said.Taking into account inflation and the general evolution of European finance, this means that the share of the CAP in the budget of the European Union (EU) will naturally decrease.

Taken up by several Member States since the crisis, including Nicolas Sarkozy, the idea of ​​tax on financial transactions developed by the Nobel Prize in economics James Tobin is considered a credible solution to help poor countries fight against global climatique.Son rate should be moderate, at 0.05%.

"The EU as a first step"

Ten days ago, the Commission President José Manuel Barroso had already discussed the proposed tax on financial transactions in a letter to EU leaders. "The Commission completes its impact and present a formal legislative proposal after the summer," wrote José Manuel Barroso.

"Our analysis shows that there is a strong case to decide whether a tax in the financial sector in the EU as a first step," he said, assuring that the Commission will "in parallel, continue to work for a global agreement on a tax on financial transactions. "

Supported by the Franco-German Cup, the tax "Tobin" has been a joint proposal of the French Socialist Party and the German SPD in their respective parliaments.The resolution was adopted in mid-June by the French deputies but less successful in the Bundestag, where she was referred to committee.

According to the French deputies, the EU legislative proposal should include "a tax on all financial transactions of 0.05%", including all stock exchange transactions and non-stock, securities, bonds and derivatives, as well as all transactions in the foreign exchange market to the tax base and revenue allocation to each of the national budget. "

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Fillon encourages SME growth

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Create new champions and allow SMEs to grow is one of the main thrusts of government policy. A few weeks ago, Nicolas Sarkozy explained before 2,000 SME leaders that his goal was "to strengthen their competitiveness and ability to exporation. The Head of State announced that the public bank Oséo enjoyed an additional one billion to allow companies to open their capital without losing their freedom of action. On Thursday, Prime Minister François Fillon unveiled a new series of measures to "grow" at the conference organized by the World SME employers' organization CGPME chaired by Jean-Francois Roubaud.

"We are now in the recovery phase, and this turning commands us to go on the offensive to solidify the growth.We know the tryptic winner: we must help our SMEs to find financing, focus on innovation and of course help to export, "said Francois Fillon.

5 billion of public money

The Prime Minister announced that the State, which played a key role during the crisis, would continue its efforts. The France Investissement is extended to 8 years from 2012, "with a public commitment of 5 billion euros over the period. This will allow an increase of 50% of the annual public investment. " This device, created in 2006 for a period of six years, combines public (Deposit and Consignment Office, the Strategic Investment Fund) and private actors (banks, insurance). He entered the capital of SMEs to strengthen their capital base need a personal loan with bad credit. Since its inception in 2006, 2 billion euros and injected public money has leveraged over $ 7 billion of private financing."France Investissement has been a success at a time when the crisis struck the capital investment, where insurers fell significantly their funding," noted Francois Fillon.

Caisse des Depots and many insurance companies will also launch a fund of 200 million euros by the end of the year that will invest in small and medium-sized companies employing between 250 and 5000 employees.

François Fillon has reassured businesses who fear that the credit becomes expensive and scarce funding because insurers and bankers will have to apply the new prudential rules, called Solvency II and Basel III. "I want to tell you that the State will be very careful that there is no withdrawal of private investors in financing the real economy, particularly in the financing of unlisted SMEs," assured the Prime Minister.For its part, the Banque de France set up a tracking stock of credits to companies with fewer than 10 employees.

Commenting on the controversial issue of the premium for employees of companies distributing dividends up, adopted by the Assembly on Wednesday night despite strong criticism CGPME, the MEDEF and unions, Francois Fillon said the state had taken "responsibilities" for lack of agreement between unions and employers.

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Rising prices stabilized in May in France

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Lull on the inflation front. The price increase was limited to 0.1% in May (+2% yoy), according to figures released Wednesday by the INSEE. "Increases and decreases balance almost note INSEE. The seasonal increase in prices of fresh produce is particularly strong this year and other food products is important for the contrary, prices of energy and transport services and communications are down. "

The food products saw prices rise by 1% in a month. Growth driven by fresh products (+3.4%).Fresh fruits such as they are down 1% year over year, recorded a jump of 8.1% in May! Other foods suffer the consequences of soaring agricultural commodities: coffee, tea and cocoa rose 2.1% (+6.2% yoy), oils and fats by +1.4% (+4, 7% a year), bread and cereals by 0.6% (+1.7% yoy) and meat by +0.6% (+2.2% yoy).

"This explains why the French have a real sense of erosion of their ability to consume: the rates of many symbolic products purchased daily and can vary abruptly, which frankly is not likely to reassure them," says Alexander Law , chief economist at Xerfi.

Decline in telecoms

For the first time in eight months, energy prices have however declined by 1.3% in May after an increase of similar magnitude in April (+11.3% yoy), following the fall in prices barrel of oil. In detail, fuels recorded a more moderate decline of this set, to -1.4% over the month. It is "both for seasonal reasons and because of different tax rates, advance INSEE.

All prices for services other stores edged up 0.1% in May while the telecommunication tariffs fell by 1.1% (-2.4% yoy). Manufacturing (automotive, furniture, clothing, …) are also down (-0.1%).

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The CAC 40 expected a slight increase

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Slight increase expected on Monday in the Paris Bourse, in the wake of the Asian stock markets, including that of Tokyo, weighed down by disappointing statistics, and uncertainties about the evolution of the global economy. On Friday, the benchmark index in Paris ended its session already clearly in the red (-1.90%) and signed a sixth consecutive week of decline, erasing its gains since the beginning of the year. At 8:15 AM, futures contracts on the CAC 40 advanced 0.17%, to 3803 points.

Clearly, the objective of the meeting will be to keep the bar of 3800 points, narrowly saved this weekend dernière.Aucun major macroeconomic indicator is expected for Monday of Pentecost, which is also expected to take place in low volumes. In this day of solidarity in which the majority of employees stay home, exchanges should in fact been limited.Especially as the business side, no publication is awaited. Again, macroeconomic considerations should therefore guide the market for the first weekly session, including uncertainties about the Greek situation.

Side currency, the euro remained under 1.44 dollars on Monday morning after he experienced back Friday when he was the most sold since the beginning of the month because of disagreements between the various parties the solution to support the Grèce.Vers 8:00 in Paris, the European single currency was worth 1.4343 dollars against 1.4348 dollars on Friday night after coming close last Monday the threshold of $ 1.47 for the first time in a month .

Same side of the volatility of oil prices in a market torn between the prospects of increased production by Saudi Arabia and the maintenance of quotas decided by OPEC.In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for July delivery lost 9 cents 99.20 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for delivery gained 13 cents to equal 118.91 dollars.

As for values ​​to follow

Altran

Yves de Chaisemartin lost Friday the group's management, the Board of Directors of the technology consulting company has designated Philip Hall to replace him.

Air France – KLM

The airline's traffic in the Paris airports Roissy and Orly airports may be disrupted on Monday due to a strike notice filed by a union of mechanics on the ground, have we learned from the company.

LVMH

Sephora, the cosmetics distribution subsidiary of luxury group, said to have strengthened his hand in the round of Corsica in Russia, becoming the majority shareholder in nearly three years after joining the company's capital .

EDF

NPP Bugey in Ain, had to reduce its production by 10-15% in late May and early June due to increased water temperatures of the Rhone, an effect of the heat wave spring.

Eutelsat

San Marino RTV has selected two Eutelsat satellites to broadcast its programs through Italy and Europe as of June 13

EADS

Airbus chief says EADS, parent company of Airbus, would be protected against hostile takeover bids but, to this end, it was not essential that Germany be a shareholder in the group.

Carrefour

The management of the distribution group said Sunday, a day after a protest movement, have made a major effort for employees of Carrefour Market stores in terms of purchasing power.

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60 billion new aid for Greece

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

Horizon Financial Greece cleared with the finalization of a new rescue plan, estimated at between 60 and 65 billion euros by 2014, involving the eurozone, the IMF, Greece and banks. Following a meeting with Greek Prime Minister, Luxembourg, the head of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker, announced Friday, "an additional funding of Greece, in exchange for strict conditions."

For their part, the emissaries of the "troika" (EU, IMF and ECB) gave the green light Friday to pay "probably early July," the fifth installment of the loan of 110 billion made last year or 12 billion euros. Troika calls in return an "acceleration of structural reforms and budget."

Details of the new support plan for Greece were not disclosed, but the broad outlines are known.Half of the envelope will come from new loans in the euro area (20 billion) and IMF (10 billion). A quarter of the effort will fall to Greece. The rest will be borne by the private sector "on a voluntary basis," said Jean-Claude Juncker Friday.

Clearly, banks will, as requested by Germany, commit to maintain their exposure to the country's debt, probably by buying securities with the maturity of their loans. The financial effort required for the private sector will not be minor. It should be about 15 to 20 billion euros, according to European sources.

Expected new sacrifices in Greece

"On this basis, it is clear that there will be no exit from Greece to the euro area, there will be no default," assured the head of the Eurogroup.On Friday, the markets welcomed the news: Greek bond yields were down sharply, the Athens Stock Exchange hit a record high at over 4.42% in the afternoon, while the euro climbed to $ 1.46, the highest since the beginning of the year.

Financiers, however, remain cautious, particularly about the involvement of banks forced march. "It is unclear what kind of incentives will persuade investors to buy debt Greek long-term interest rate close to that of Greece itself does not," note analysts at Capital Economics . Friday, Jean-Claude Juncker has ensured that Greece was ready to create a privatization fund, which should give lenders insurance on collateral.

Greek side, the counterparty to the new rescue plan is far from painless. The state has undertaken to save 6.4 billion euros more by the end of 2011.These include new sacrifices, among others, greater downsizing in the public service cuts on wages, hardening the fight against tax evasion, the VAT increase from 13 to 23%.

If the government breathing, public opinion, she continues to cry out his despair. "New loan means more rigor" resumed Yannis Panagopoulos, the union president of the private (GSEE). "We sell the country's heritage and we bled the people is a crime. And this is only the beginning. The consequences will be terrible "carried away there. Several thousand people are expected in the streets of Athens on Saturday.

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The Paris Bourse falls below the 3900 points

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

On Wednesday morning, the CAC 40 dropped: index assigns points to 0.73% and falls below the 3900 points to 3888.12 points exactly, having managed to scrounge a few points yesterday. Concerns over debt crisis persists European: German morale, according to Gfk survey, should continue its degradation in June for the third straight month due to the debt crisis in the euro zone and the outbreak oil. The index shows a decrease to 5.5 against 5.7 in May In addition, the Netherlands and Germany are threatening to commit the privatization of the Greek economy to foreign experts, reveals leFinancial Times.A new threat which seeks to lobby the Greek government to take drastic cost-saving measures.

All eyes are turning to the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde, the favorite to succeed DSK to head the International Monetary Fund, which should give a press conference "important" to the Department late Wednesday morning. Moreover, in France, we look particularly figures on registered job seekers and job advertisements collected by Pole in April. Baroin, Minister of Labour, has already warned that the unemployment rate would decline again in April for the fourth consecutive month.United States, is expected at 14:30 durable goods orders in April, at 16.30, the weekly inventory of crude oil.

With regard to the Icelandic volcano, France should be minimally affected, which should reassure the airline industry.

The euro, he, relapse as well as the European crisis inqiuiète. The euro lost 0.49% against the dollar at 1.4034 dollar this morning at 9 o'clock.

Airbus confident for Le Bourget

Side companies, Cac auncune value is in the green. Among the largest declines, we find Vallourec (-2.06%) Alcatel-Lucent (-1.70%) and STMicroelectronics (-1.49%).

Consumer complaints of gas and electricity rose 25% in 2010, about problems with their energy supplier.The mediator of Energy notes that complaints from customers at 43% of GDF Suez (-0.45% to 25.56 euros), 38% of those of EDF (-0.42% to 28.14 euros), 12% of Direct Energy and 4% of customers Poweo (balance to 3.91 euros).

Airbus and its parent EADS (-1.09% to 22.32 euros) were optimistic Tuesday on future orders at the Paris Air Show in June in a market "active."

Carrefour (-0.45% to 30.15 euros) announced Wednesday the appointment of Mathilde Lemoine to the position of independent director of the group, replacing Jean-Martin Folz, who left the board for divergence of views on strategy.

The French group Alstom and its Chinese joint venture Casco signed two contracts worth a total of 85 million euros for the supply of signaling systems in metros of Shanghai (east) and Kunming (south).

The partner of minority shareholders (Adam) who assigned Tuesday referred the saddle Hermes (-0.88% to 174.30 euros) for "depriving" the essential rights to vote at the next family meeting, has been confronted with an invalid procedure and the case was adjourned to July 12. Or after the meeting to be held June 30

Casino (-0.46% to 72.96 euros) denied on Tuesday it had agreed to the opening of the opening of negotiations between the Brazilian distributor GPA, which holds 35%, and Carrefour Brazil.

PPR (-0.81% to 116.75 euros) and Volcom announced Tuesday it had received notification of the end of the statutory review period on the bid of French on the American brand.

Rexel (-0.73% to 17.60 euros) announced Tuesday it had won its bond issue of 500 million euros, whose order book has surpassed 1.8 billion euros.

Eurazeo (+0.02% to 56.25 euros) on Tuesday announced a capital increase, offering its shareholders one new share for 20 old shares held as of May 25, 2011.

The land Gecina (+0.02% at 98.52 euros), in 2nd place behind France in Unibail-Rodamco will continue to sell its assets in Spain and in the logistics industry, said Tuesday its chief executive Christophe Clamageran .

BioMerieux (-0.05% to 78 euros) announced Tuesday that the Health Authority (FDA) had recorded rapid testing and automated molecular diagnostic NucliSENS EasyQ MRSA screening for patients infected with Staphylococcus aureus resistant methicillin.

Europacorp (+0.24% to 4.22 euros) will publish its annual turnover, while LCD (poultry) will announce its annual results after-hours trading.

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In Spain, the "lost generation" remains committed

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

The economic austerity, mass unemployment and the impending local elections have, since last Sunday, the emergence of a broad popular movement among the youth of Spain this week. Los indignados ", ie Indignant, as they call themselves, occupied since last Sunday instead Madrid Puerta del Sol.

Now "illegal", the electoral truce in effect banned the demonstrations, but determined to hear their ras-le-bol of the crisis and unemployment, hundreds of youths were mobilized Saturday in the camp alternative to the Puerta del Sol in Madrid .Shouting "we are now illegal," an immense crowd welcomed Friday at midnight on the start of the truce, after, at the stroke of the clock, symbolically launched a "silent scream" of scotch tape on the mouth, arms raised to heaven.

"Apolitical" and "citizen"

Saturday morning, a thousand protesters still occupying the "village" of tents and plastic sheeting instead of blue madrilène.L agency Efe, based on counting a specialist company, puts the figure of 19,000 protesters Friday night to the Puerta del Sol and surrounding streets, crowded. Other media put the number at 25,000 to 60,000 in Madrid and throughout Spain. The movement has indeed spread throughout Spain under the slogan "Toma la plaza" (Takes place). It is present in 57 cities.The youth movement, building on its growing popularity, plays on the ambiguity of the law and the embarrassment of the government, repeating that he is "apolitical," "citizen" and that the days of Saturday and Sunday will be devoted to the pursuit of "reflection" collective. "We act in full respect of the truce election meetings will be held but no action will be decided," Lopez said Saturday, a spokesman.

"We do not want to overthrow the politicians, just to restore the level of concern of the street, told El Pais Gandara, a spokesman of the movement. "We are not anarchists, nor opponents of the system. We are just normal people "who want a form of participatory democracy.

This spontaneous mobilization, also called the May 15 Movement, was organized as the Arab revolt, via online social networks Twitter and Facebook and on the principle of "right to be indignant." Wednesday, El Pais had counted 10,000 participants in Madrid. The watchwords: the stranglehold of the major parties on Spanish politics, social injustice and the "corrupt politicians". In the background, an unemployment rate of 21.19%, the highest in the euro area, which affects almost half the age of 25.

Police Discrete

"I have great respect for those who demonstrate, they do so peacefully, and I understand that this is due to the economic crisis, in their desire to find a job," said on Friday the first Outgoing Minister Zapatero socialist on the radio Cadena Ser.

The police presence, despite a ban on protests, remained quiet throughout the evening, limited to a few police cars parked around the square. The government, embarrassed by this spontaneous movement occurred a week of regional and local elections on Sunday ahead disastrous for the Socialists, had said on Friday to show "understanding."The Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, had suggested that police action could be avoided provided that no overflow takes place.

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The debate about replacing DSK IMF opens

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

The U.S. government has dropped Dominique Strauss-Kahn. The United States, largest shareholder in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), followed by China, have been opened wide debate replacing the selection of the head of the monetary institution. "Obviously Dominique Strauss-Kahn is unable to manage the IMF," said Tim Geithner on Tuesday night. It was the first public comment from the U.S. Treasury Secretary on the individual circumstances of DSK. "It is important that the Board of Directors of the IMF should establish a formal ANYONE who acts as General Manager for an interim period," added Tim Geithner knows very well that the IMF for having been one of its Senior from 2001 to 2003.

A few hours earlier, the question of succession had already been given to the public by European leaders.Including Angela Merkel, then by the finance ministers of Austria and Spain. Some did not wait to know whether Dominique Strauss-Kahn would be prosecuted for speaking openly about his replacement.

John Lipsky, IMF number two just became number one acting. Photo credits: Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP

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A beaver dam obstructs an oil spill

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Unusual. A beaver dam to stem a large oil spill. The rupture of a pipeline company Plains Midstream Canada near a native village in the north of the Canadian province of Alberta has caused the discharge of the equivalent of nearly 28,000 barrels of oil. But the escape of fuel has been stopped in the race … a dam built by beavers!

Oil spilled on a strip of about 700 meters long and 30 meters wide but was isolated at about 300 meters of a watercourse. "It is true there is a beaver dam in this area and that it contained the spill at first," said Wednesday the Alberta Minister of Environment Rob Renner.

"Minimal impact on wildlife"

This rodent, particularly the Canadian beaver is known for making huts and dams on streams and rivers.Margaux Rat, research officer at FRAPNA (Fédération Rhône-Alpes de Protection de la Nature) stresses that the beavers' dam had to do in advance to maintain a water depth or a certain dynamic that hydrosystem it occupies. "

Helped by beavers, the Environment Minister was able to declare: "The situation is under control." However, the leak is found the largest since 36 years in the oil province of western Canada.

Finally, the accident has had a "minimal impact on wildlife," stated Rob Renner. The death of a dozen ducks and beaver is to be deplored.

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The father of CDs and former CEO of Sony is dead

Sunday, April 24th, 2011

A man at the crossroads of the worlds of music, technology and business. Norio Ohga, father of the "Compact Disc" and former boss of Sony, died Saturday at age 81. It was as boss of the Japanese consumer electronics that monitors closely the birth of the CD with its Dutch partner Philips in the early 80s. He insisted then that the disc 12 cm in diameter can hold 75 minutes of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

This commercial success and technological, which then lead to the emergence of DVD, will remain as the main weapon is to Norio Ohga. But it should not overshadow his work as head of Sony. "He transformed the Japanese conglomerate manufacturer of electronic products in a firm's creative music, movies and video games," says the Wall Street Journal."We were always digging the tracks that other groups did not dare to follow," explained Norio Ohga in 1998. "This is the real secret to our success."

Explosive path

His entry into the firm, like the rest of his career then detonates. Student in musicology at the University of Tokyo, in 1953 he impressed the executives of the firm which became Sony in a letter advising them of improvements to the prototype of tape. Hired as a consultant, Norio Ohga follow a rapid and brilliant trajectory within the company. He became one of the executive directors from the thirties, something extremely rare in Japan. In the '70s, he led negotiations with CBS that will lead to the creation of Sony Music Entertainment and will lead.

President of Sony from 1982 to 1995, Norio Ohga innovates. It supports the development of the Walkman, launched in 1979.In 1989, he led the largest acquisition at the time a Japanese firm abroad by offering the Hollywood studio Columbia Pictures for $ 3.4 billion. This maneuver discontent across the Pacific. Rumors will ever drive on the possible resale activity, difficult to make profitable. The real stroke of genius of the president Norio Ohga is unquestionably won his bet in video games. In the early 90s, he in fact supports the launch of the Playstation division within the group. It is now one of the largest departments of the group.

Debonair boss

Nohga Norio, Japanese boss atypical-described good-natured, not shy, and has an artistic temperament, however, has not as successful. Shortly after the launch of the CD, and it fails to impose its Betamax video format against HSV.Advisor to Sony these days, he could only see, in recent years, the cons-performance of its group. Sony did not see coming the success of the flat screen and has lagged behind its South Korean rival Samsung. In video games, Nintendo has his compatriot hewn cruppers. Even in the music industry, the Japanese has been exceeded. By innovations from Apple this time.

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