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Difficult to recover the "AAA" when it was lost

Sunday, August 7th, 2011

S & P is the second rating agency to downgrade the American note, after the Chinese – less powerful – Dagong, others – mainly the U.S. Moody's and Fitch French – for the time remaining in triple A. Now rated AA + long term debt of the United States remains in the investment category of "high quality" and joined the second and third world economies, namely China and Japan, as well as Belgium, Spain , Israel, Taiwan, or even oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

But it is possible to recover the triple A when it was lost. Canada, Australia, Denmark, and Sweden Finande did. Of course, the United States will do everything to return to their "AAA" precious. But the task will be tough, as it will maintain over the long term, strong pressure on fiscal discipline while scaffolding better understanding at the political level.

Political consensus to find absolutely

Indeed, in the case of their Canadian neighbors, the return of Triple A in 2002, had been lost – again by S & P – in 1992 on its debt denominated in foreign currency, was possible thanks to the introduction of fiscal measures severe that the subject of a strong national consensus, which seems far from possible for the United States.

Similarly, three Scandinavian countries also known for their ability to consensus politics have seen their efforts to improve public finances crowned by the return of a "triple A" lost year 1990: Denmark 2001, Finland in 2002 and Sweden in 2004.

Australia is one model may be more difficult to imitate. This country has lost in the 1986 'AAA' rating assigned to its foreign currency by S & P, to find him in 2003.During these 17 years, Canberra has demonstrated fiscal discipline inflexible, stopping in 1997 to increase the amount of its debt in dollars. Growth has surged with the transformation of the economy, modernization of the financial system, deregulation of many sectors that had lost their competitiveness and development of a powerful mining industry has benefited from China's economic takeoff.

Economy to restart

Jean-Michel Six, chief economist for Europe Standard & Poor's has expressed in the columns of Le Figaro, six months ago that the economic figures released in the United States show that the country remains fragile, particularly at the front of the employment and real estate. "In the U.S., including employment prospects are very disappointing."While yesterday (Friday), the figures – the United States have created 117,000 jobs in July – have eliminated any disaster scenario on the U.S. labor market, performance is modest. As for household consumption, "it is significantly weakened by the debt levels of Americans," added the specialist. Overall, "the year 2011 should result in a 2% growth, which is very disappointing for the U.S., where the pace of activity is generally much higher than in Europe."

According to the latest figures on U.S. growth, GDP grew by only 1.3% annual rate. Economists expected a 1.8% increase. Worse, the growth of the first three months of the year, previously estimated at 1.9%, was revised sharply downwards to 0.4%. And the largest economy in the world did she not really recovered from the 2008 crisis.Fears of a slowdown in U.S. growth, and global markets have panicked the last ten days.

Fiscal side, the U.S. accumulated a debt exceeding GDP are: since August, the debt ratio exceeds 100%, as is the case in Japan or Greece.

The Cac 40 worried about global growth

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

After losing more than 8% over the last seven meetings, the CAC 40 is on track to record an eighth consecutive day of decline. The stock market opened down 1.16% at 3473.36 points, reaching levels not seen since August 2010.

On other European financial centers, the Footsie-100 from the London Stock Exchange 1.50% to 5632.57 loose points, the DAX 30 Frankfurt Stock Exchange lost 1.66% to 6684.24 points, the FTSE MIB the Milan Stock Exchange drops 2.43% to 16,852.90 points, the Ibex 35 of the Madrid Stock Exchange gives 0.90% to 9032 points, the PSI 20 of the Lisbon Stock Exchange was down 0.86% to 6569, 24 points.

Juncker meets with Italian Minister of Finance

The European sovereign debt and U.S. continue to weigh heavily on the trend. Yield spreads between bonds to ten years Spanish and Italian over German bonds widen.They stood at 402 basis points respectively (13 bps) and 386 basis points (12 bps). Italy and Spain are again under pressure from the markets fear a contagion of debt. Their governments are mobilizing to stem the panic even if Brussels has ruled out any discussion of a bailout for those countries. The Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti talks in Luxembourg on Wednesday with the leader of the euro zone, Jean-Claude Juncker.

China increasingly perplexed vis-à-vis the dollar

Investors also remain worried about the strength of U.S. growth. And, although the Senate has ratified Tuesday the plan to raise the debt ceiling. Insufficient agreement by Moody's which could lower the rating of the country.The closing down sharply on Wall Street Tuesday night also confirms the markets in their choice to continue to withdraw.

China, for its part welcomed the adoption of very hard this plan. Beijing said it would continue to limit its dependence on the dollar, whereas the U.S. has failed to defuse "the bomb of debt." The rating agency Dagong China in the wake downgraded American. Wednesday morning, Asian stock markets, with the exception of Shanghai, changing all down sharply.

Eurozone: activity in services slows further

On the macroeconomic front, the growth of activity in the services sector continued to slow in July to register their slowest pace since March 2010. The PMI index reached 54.2 against 56.1 in June.

The same goes for the euro area and for Germany: the composite index stood at 52.5 against 56.3 respectively in June and 51.1 against 53.3 in June.

For the euro area, growth in manufacturing in July (10:00) and numbers of retail in June (11:00) are also scheduled.

In the U.S., investors will also pay attention to employment figures in the private sector in July (2:15 p.m.), the industrial orders in June (16 hours), the ISM services in the month July (16 hours) and weekly inventory of crude oil (16.30).

Bic flies, Societe Generale sinks

Air France-KLM: -2.40% to 7.64 euros

The airline plans to delays or cancellations of flights, from Paris, following a strike by technicians responsible for maintenance of its aircraft.

Total: -1.15% to 36.37 euros

The oil company and its CEO Christophe de Margerie were returned to correctional late July for "active corruption" in the investigation into the UN program "Oil against food" in Saddam Hussein's Iraq from 1996 to 2003 officials said a judicial source.

Danone: -0.54% to 49.24 euros

The dairy group has unveiled a proposed acquisition of 250 million euros in nutrition in India to expand into the Indian markets for infant nutrition and medical purposes.

Societe Generale: -5.41% to 30.74 euros

The bank chaired by Frédéric Oudéa posted net income down 31% to 747 million because of writedowns on loans Greek past.Greece forced Societe Generale has given up its goal of net profit of 6 billion euros in 2012.

Crédit Agricole: -2.38% to 7.80 euros

The bank said it had sold its commercial finance Eurofactor in Britain to GE Capital.

Suez Environnement: -0.48% to 12.52 euros

The group specializes in water management and waste released on Wednesday a net profit down 43% to 221 million euros in the first half. Suez Environnement, however, reaffirmed its financial targets for 2011-2013.

Bic: 3.89% to 63.89 euros

Bic raised its growth target for the division of pens, lighters and disposable razors, to "greater than 5%" against up to 5%.Instead, the group anticipates a decline of about 10% growth for its advertising and promotional products division against 5% previously.

Hermes: -1.77% to 239.30 euros

The Association for the Defence of Minority Shareholders (Adam) wonders why the saddle spends as much to buy back its own shares, whose price has reached a new record this week, said Tuesday its president Colette Neuville.

Renault: -2.01% to 34.65 euros, Peugeot: -4.02% to 23.3 euros

American manufacturers have announced their sales figures on Tuesday night. Chrysler reported a 20% increase in sales of new cars in the U.S. in July, while Ford saw its own increase by 9%.

Accor: -1.53% to 28.38 euros

Accor announced the signing of the sale of catering group Lenôtre Sodexo following the favorable opinion of the works councils of both groups.

After-hours trading, Vilmorin and Cegedim must publish their annual turnover for the first and second quarters respectively.

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2011 a good year for the use of frames

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Click the preview to enlarge the graphic.

The Director General of the Association for the use of frameworks (APEC), Jacky Chatelain, a smile: "2011 will be a very good year for the recruitment of executives," said he. It will be even better than expected. Tuesday during the presentation of its traditional mid-point year, his organization has substantially revised its statistics on the rise, according to his calculations, 194,000 cadres would be hired this year, against 181,000 originally announced in February as part of the APEC business panel 2011.

These figures confirm the trends optimistic in recent months. The latest indicator Apec published in May, the number of jobs grew by 70% year on year, driven by services, led by computer functions and research and development.In addition, mobility management, reflecting a renewed confidence, has also increased from 5% in 2009 to 7% in 2010.

The reasons for this dynamism? A greater investment in the first half of 2011, from 1.9% earlier this year to 3.8%. "For three years, we have established a strong link between investment and employment," said Jacky Chatelain. On the basis of a model by connecting the executive search, investment and growth, APEC has also made a forecast of recruitment to five years.

New legislation

With an investment of 3% per year, it expects an increase in employment context, not only in the second half of 2011, but over the next four years."However, investment has not recovered its pre-2000 levels," notes the director general of APEC, citing "a problem of competitiveness of the French economy, a profitability that is struggling to recover , difficult access to credit and public investment that does not play a role. " In this context, recruitment is expected to slow over the years. According to the study of Apec, they increase by 18% in 2011 compared to 2010, then increase by 8% in 2012, 5% in 2013, 6% in 2014, and begin to decline by 1% in 2015 to be at 232,100 hires.

The year 2015 was "marked a plateau for hiring managers in a market that lacks strong enough levers," says Apec.According to Jacky Chatelain, public policy must "be sensitive to investment."

In developing this scenario, APEC has also included new legislation on retirement and senior employment, which, combined with good market conditions of employment context, would encourage more employees working from more later. Thus, the proportion of managers employed at the time of retirement may remain stable at 69% over the period.

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Paris Air Show: enhanced surveillance

Sunday, June 19th, 2011

No waffling. The Paris Air Show is clearly a prime target for terrorists of all stripes. "The means are enhanced this year given the international context," admits Gilles Fournier, director of the show. Everything is made to ensure that nothing spoils the biggest party in the aviation world. The device, classified top secret, similar to that established for a G8 or the movement of a Barack Obama in Normandy. But the BBC is able to detail some components.

The government and relevant ministries including Defence and Interior, make available to the people living in 2000 to carry out missions of security, air traffic management, protection of public figures and the public. In total, no fewer than 45 state departments are present. Le Bourget hosts a control center.This PC has 80 permanent crisis covering all areas: safety, security, public order, land and air circulation. Protection services and intelligence are also at work, the DCRI provides security industry while teams of HPPD (protection service VIPs) are deployed French and foreign. At least 50 cameras monitor every corner, while ground crews are based in the crowd of visitors. Officially, no foreign intelligence service is present on the site but "it is well known that the Bourget swarms of spies from all over the planet," says one industry.

A public prosecutor is always present on the site in order to treat all topics: crime, air accident, fire or bombs … "We conduct rehearsals of all scenarios.In a crisis the PC can trigger the red plan, "said Gilles Fournier. The show requisition, order of the prefect, a representative of the Association of radio amateurs (ADRASEC). "If everything is cut and the saturated mobile is the ultimate way to help to communicate with the outside," says the executive director of the show.

70 hectares to monitor

Mobile police squads roam the 70 acre site while the Air Force ensures its protection Air Show. A special device for aviation security (DPSA) is deployed in order to "put the Bourget in a protective bubble" without disrupting the airports of Roissy and Le Bourget. A temporary exclusion zone (FTZ) flight is drawn from the south to the north of Roissy Le Bourget. This space is reserved for bounded planes and pilots accredited with flight plans, passenger names were submitted.An intruder is likely to be intercepted "by any suitable means." AWACS surveillance aircraft and helicopters for surveillance and intervention runs continuously and monitors "anything that flies." On the ground, the Air Force is on alert: the Mirage are ready to take off. Rattlesnake missiles are pre-positioned and radar detection of the Air Force record "everything that moves." All are ready to respond regardless of the scenario: small escort the aircraft flying club that has accidentally wandered into the FTZ, to land an aircraft in emergency or eliminate a target whose trajectory is clearly hostile. "

On the ground, military aircraft are under the protection and monitoring of specialized private companies but also armed them support like the American aircraft.As for civilian aircraft, they are under the protection of security companies licensed by the prefecture and the Ministry of Interior installment payday loans. Three companies subsidiary of ADP Alysia, GPS and Stand-Up is under contract with the organizers of the show. "These are companies of reference, approved in the prefecture who usually major events at the Stade de France or Cannes. They carry out checks at the entrances of the show, searches and identity checks, "said Gilles Fournier.

Similarly, vehicles entering the territory of the exhibition are all controlled and searched by teams cynotechniques explosion of Police.

The site displays a complete medical device. An advanced medical post (PMA) managed by the EMS Department is mounted. It also relies on the private firefighting resources in the Order of Malta delegating nearly 80 people throughout the show.A field hospital is also there with his two centers equipped with defibrillators, resuscitation and 8 beds. "Every year it handles about 150 cases: this is the little bobo heart attack through the heat stroke," says Gilles Fournier. The medical task force also has in its ranks doctors, nurses and firefighters from the brigade of Paris. "Around the room, barracks and hospitals were placed on standby, ready to intervene and welcome. Beds reserved in hospitals in Paris, "said Louis Le Portz.

Stringent safety rules for flight demonstrations

Another aspect to manage public safety and residents during the presentation of aircraft flights. Le Bourget is also a city of more than 13,000 residents, schools and shops. "The rules of safety are absolutely stringent," the organizers insist.The show is under the authority of an Interministerial Commission of Control, chaired by the Prime Minister. From it depends on the Organizing Committee and Coordination Committee (COC) which brings together representatives of the Ministry of Defence and Interior, the Air Force, Airport of Paris, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the prefecture of Seine Saint Denis. The COC approves the demonstration flights daily that drive the show from 14 hours.

The space dedicated to demonstrations is well defined this is called the volume-flying aerial displays and controlled by radar trajectory to track and record real-time trajectory and the exact position of a plane in 3D. Station to the driver that does not follow the strict rules.Prohibition is made out of "volume of flight," to fly across the room, the crowd, to make figures prohibited from encroaching on the airspace close to Roissy. A system of penalty and prohibition of flights is planned but it is very rarely used, say the organizers of the show. The drivers are all experienced professionals who have been approved by the direction of flight at Le Bourget.

From Wednesday to Saturday before the show opens, theft of repetition and validation takes place. Pilots, flight plans and the figures have to be approved by Stéphane flick, the director of flight appointed by the state. The former head of the school test pilots is still active. It is the center pilot flight test of the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA).

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Microcredit is a public increasingly wide

Monday, June 6th, 2011

For Adie (Association for the Right to Economic Initiative), this week is crucial. From June 7 to 11, during the 7th week of Microcredit it organizes, the association collects more than 7,000 applications for funding so that it provides almost 12,000 per year. It is also an opportunity for this structure, a pioneer of microcredit in France and Europe, to remind the public that this formula is not restricted to developing countries and is effective in supporting microenterprises. "This formula is one way of returning to work essential in today's society," says Catherine Barbaroux, new president of Adie.She succeeds Maria Nowak, creator and executive structure for more than twenty years.

To date, over 100,000 microloans (the original financing plan must be less than 8000 euros) have already been granted to entrepreneurs or unemployed recipients of social minima. Catherine Barbaroux estimated that the 12,000 annual cases followed today could be doubled by 2015. It has to be founded on the 130 and 190 antennas permanence of the association spread over the territory. "Our statistics show that the entrepreneurs that we support have the same success rate as other entrepreneurs," she says.

Forums in France

These microentrepreneurs also create jobs other than their own, since the average is 1.38 jobs per company, says she.Finally, if the major projects on trade and personal services, Catherine Barbaroux believes that microenterprise is perfectly suited to innovative services such as on sustainable development.

To popularize microcredit, the forums will be held in Paris, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Nantes and Marseille. But it is especially the testimony of microentrepreneurs that mark the minds about the effectiveness of this boost. "I needed 3,000 euros to complete my file and start my cycle shop in Paris, remembers Jean-Pierre Gestin, the RMI at the time, with two dependent children. Impossible in a traditional bank. In Adie, I was just received, warmly, and it was resolved in a fortnight. And since I work. "As for Dominique Voisin, she was able to launch its activity nursery collection in the Nantes region thanks to the credit that's nearly seven years."It's difficult to be supported by a traditional bank when we launched over 40 years and that there is no regular income," she admits. Today she put on her new website to market more widely rare plants they have.

Saab divorce Hawt

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

It was an ideal solution to address the financial situation of Saab, whose factories are shut down since the beginning of April. Under the agreement signed in Beijing on May 3 last year, the Chinese carmaker Hawt should be made to the Swedish brand, owned by Dutch Spyker, the 150 million euros needed to boost its production and pay suppliers.

But the agreement was canceled Thursday Spyker said in a statement. "Since Hawt was unable to obtain necessary consents from its shareholders, both parties are obliged to cancel the agreement," said the document, noting that the two companies will lead discussions for possible cooperation "without being exclusive."

The spokesman for Saab Gunilla Gustavs, gave no details about the role of the report of the Embassy of Sweden, published on May 5 in the cancellation of the agreement between the Swedish brand and the Chinese producer. "Work continues to ensure funding in the short term and medium term," she said in comment on the decision of Spyker. "No deadline has been set for the discussions, but to reach an agreement remains our top priority easy payday loans."

Another Chinese group in the partnership

Hawt Motors automotive group was surprised by the decision of rupture. According to statements obtained by Xinhua, the marriage between Saab and Hawt was taken too Quickly.

But while Saab would not be lost. A partnership between the Swedish manufacturer, Hawt Beijing BAIC and the producer would be considered.According to a press Hawt, "it goes beyond a simple strategic partnership, promoting a common technology, which could further develop the production." For its part, Reuters says that the Chinese automaker Great Wall would still be interested in investing in Saab.

Following the cancellation of the agreement, analysts in the automotive sector, concerned about the future of the Saab brand. Tom Muller, an analyst Theodoor Glissen, announced that during the first three months of 2011, Spyker has spent nearly 70 million euros to keep the brand afloat. "The group lives on a daily basis, and not because he has no funds to meet future orders. It is already making money from its suppliers.

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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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Thousands of opponents of the parade shale gas

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

Opponents of the gas and oil shale will not be satisfied with the recent announcements by the government is considering banning the extraction of hydrocarbons in May. National coordination group opposed to the gas and oil shale holds since Friday until Sunday a series of rallies in the south and east and in the Paris region, in areas where the government has issued permits exploration or considered the possibility.

Demonstrations were held Saturday in Marseille (photo) but also in Meaux (from 1500 to 2000 people gathered) or Donzère in Drôme (about 4000). Other marches were announced at Rousson (Gard), Lyon (Rhone) and Lons-le-Saunier (Jura). Sunday, decreed a "national day of mobilization", other gatherings are planned in Cahors (Lot) and Blyes (Ain).Protesters call again the firm and definitive cessation of these hydrocarbons. New anti-capitalist party (NPA) on Friday called on to participate in the mobilizations.

The recent pronouncements of the Ministry of Ecology and Prime Minister, if they have a little reassured opponents, have not entirely convinced. So they refuse to release the pressure. "We see it is understood (…) Now we are asked to repeal and only then that the mobilization will stop," said Anne Lacouture, Assistant José Bové, leader of the protest.

MEP Ecology Europe will participate Sunday in the Aveyron mobilization in its stronghold in Nantes, which gave its name to one of the permits issued by the former Minister of Ecology Jean-Louis Borloo.These allow large groups to explore for oil and gas in areas that may contain shale gas. The Department of Ecology has acknowledged that three licenses granted in the region in March 2010 were used for the exploration of unconventional oil. The legal uncertainty that currently exists on the issue can not be sure whether other permits issued in recent years does not apply also to search for and extract gas from shale.

A report due by François Fillon

Before the wind of revolt, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Wednesday the cancellation of licenses already granted. The Minister for Ecology Nathalie Kosziusko-Morizet had requested the suspension of exploration work in February, a form of de facto moratorium.A bill must be considered in an emergency procedure from 10 May to the Assembly to formally ban them extraction.Si the ban is passed, it could however be only temporary. Francis expects Filllon including the report of a mission "to better understand the shale gas." Eventually, a development of the mining code to strictly supervise the extraction of these hydrocarbons is not unthinkable, say experts elsewhere.

François Fillon on Wednesday gave impression that the government reserved the option to "go again" projects "in a way maybe a little more acceptable the next time," said Anne Lacouture. "For us, it is not acceptable, regardless of how it's done," she added.The techniques used to release the hydrocarbon trapped in the rock, the injection of very high pressure water mixed with chemicals, fears of pollution of groundwater, the devastation of the landscape and environment and development Risk-based economies, as in the Aveyron, on high-quality agriculture and tourism.

Shareholders shouted their anger at bosses of BP

Friday, April 15th, 2011

Bob Dudley the CEO, and Carl-Henrik Svanberg, Chairman of the Board of BP has suffered for more than three hours Thursday afternoon in London, a barrage of questions from disgruntled shareholders in general meeting (AG). The year 2010 was marked by the deadly explosion of the Deepwater Horizon platform followed by an oil spill is unprecedented in the Gulf of Mexico had nothing to be worried and angry small shareholders. "I lost a lot of my savings," and has complained about Martin, "shareholder since 1954. Like him, thousands of British pensioners have seen their incomes while the action BP has lost 30% in one year, to a low of more than 50% loss in late June. The restoration of a dividend after a suspension for the last three semesters was a small consolation.BP, which had $ 41 billion set aside provisions for dealing with the costs of the disaster last year posted its first loss since 1992.

Outside, a small delegation of fishermen from Louisiana victims of the spill, unable to attend the AGM held in London's Docklands, protesting payday loan online. A Texan was even arrested by British police.

Traumatized by the oil spill, the shareholders, including the Indians of Canada, denounced the exploitation of oil fields by BP oil sands in Alberta and considered highly polluting. Bob Dudley noted that the basement contains the second Canadian crude reserves after Saudi Arabia.

Strategically, small shareholders have also expressed concern about the stalemate of the ambitious project of BP to exploit vast deposits of the Russian Arctic with the public company Rosneft.The alliance announced in January accompanied by an exchange of shareholdings of 16 billion is blocked by the shareholders of BP's Russian joint venture TNK-BP. While the new deal should be completed this April 14, Rosneft and BP have agreed to postpone by one month maturity.

Hospitalized: Pay even without sleeping rooms

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

A single room can be billed to a patient even if he does not spend the night in hospital, following a decree of 28 February unnoticed but pointed Monday by the French Mutuality. This concerns, for example, a patient arriving at 7 am and departing 15 hours after cataract surgery in ambulatory surgery and having a "room only". Purpose: "to get schools to make the outpatient rather than inpatient hospitalization," said the Ministry of Health. The ambulatory is praised by patients and costs less to Safely. But its development was melting – from 10% to 15% per year, according to a clinical pattern – a major resource clinics and hospitals: billing, tariff free, a private room, paid by the patient or its complementary health.

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