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Pussyfooting on Wall Street

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

The U.S. stock market started in the red on Wednesday, in an atmosphere remained febrile for several major events at the macroeconomic level. But shortly after, the indexes are spent in the light green: the Dow Jones gleaning 0.05% to 10,543 points, the S & P's advance of 0.17% to 1115 points and the Nasdaq is up 0.14% to 2292 points.

New orders for durable goods in the U.S. declined for the second consecutive month in June, official statistics show released Wednesday, confirming a slowdown in growth in the second quarter. The Commerce Department reported a decline of 1% of these orders, the highest since August 2009, after a decline of 0.8% (revised) in May Analysts on average had forecast an increase of 1% in June

On Tuesday, the NYSE has closed in a fragmented, divided between publications very positive company like DuPont chemist, and the downturn in consumer confidence in July.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro remains at its highest levels for two months around $ 1.30.

At the macroeconomic level, the U.S. central bank must now publish its Beige Book on economic conditions. It will be very guarded while the president of the institution, Bernanke said there is just one week before the Congress, the slow recovery, with no announcement of new funding in the economy.But it was the day Friday with the first estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) that will attract the attention of investors instant payday loan no TeleCheck.

Cephalon shunned after his semi

On the side of values, the telecom equipment maker Broadcom (+0.08% to 37.56 U.S. dollars) yesterday announced the closure of Wall Street quarterly profit of $ 278 million, against $ 13.4 million the year last.Turnover was up 54% (+10% sequentially) to $ 1.6 billion.

Note also the biotechnology group Cephalon (-3.23% to 60.87 dollars) has published a quarterly profit of $ 89.1 million, well above expectations.

Always on the side of values, the Wall Street Journal, the Google Internet Group (+0.03% to 492.75 dolars) is in talks with several publishers of video games in order to enlist their support for the implementation Length of service to rival social network Facebook.Some game publishers approached by Google Playdom be included, a publisher whose Disney announced the acquisition Tuesday, Playfish, bought last year by Electronic Arts, and Zynga, in which Google has already invested, it said.

For its part, the Microsoft IT group (-0.31% to 26.08 dollars) has criticized the partnership between Yahoo! Japan and Google, saying it would end the competition in the internet search in Japan and has questioned its "legality".

Also note, the oil group BP (-1.32% to 34.5 U.S. dollars) will have to "change the culture" after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, said its new CEO, American Bob Dudley at of an interview on ABC.

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France is putting everything on the train in 2030

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

This is a milestone of the Grenelle Environment. The Department of Ecology and Sustainable Development presented on Tuesday a draft to the national transport infrastructure (SNIT) in 2030. The text-presented to Parliament at the end of year is "a strategy document that sets broad guidelines for the state's transportation infrastructure."

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The rating agencies squabble

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Is this a declaration of war? A sneak attack against a competitor already criticized from all sides? Rating agency Standard & Poor's announced mid-week she placed the note in its rival Moody's under review with negative implications. Translation: "S & P is considering lowering the rating of its counterpart.

Standard & Poor's predicted an earthquake in the scoring in the United States. She believes that the current reforms on the financial regulation in the United States threatens the business of Moody's. For example, "investors may sue the agencies in the event of fraudulent or reckless notation, notes S & P, which" increased legal costs of Moody's "dramatically," says S & P.

Moody's might also face a drop in sales, ahead its competitor.New laws in effect remove the references to footnotes in regulatory agencies and investors could then no longer need their services.

Black Series

The decision by Standard & Poor's added to the long series of bad news qu'essuient its competitor. In recent months, Moody's has seen some of its former analysts testify against her before the U.S. Senate. One of its main shareholder, billionaire Warren Buffett, has withdrawn in part. And the agency was roundly criticized by some investors for notes attributed too generous to Greece, Portugal or Spain. When she does not suffer from the wrath of authorities for the untimely degradation States Notes.

Logically, these arguments on the ratings business in general, thus also relates to Standard & Poor's."This decision serves as a warning signal for the whole sector," Norbert Gaillard analysis, an economist and specialist agencies. The agencies are so far very profitable, with operating margins (operating income compared to the number of cases) between 30 and 40%.

Concerns about the sector

The agency draws she shot in the foot by publicly worrying about the future of its industry? Yes and no. If she criticizes his rival, it is mainly because the turnover of the latter depends on more than 90% of rating business alone. This is not the case of S & P. "She has put in place, long ago, a diversified business model (financial, S & P 500), regulatory reforms under threat," said Norbert Gaillard.

Moody's will be difficult to replicate its rival news: it is not publicly traded, it is backed by a large group, McGraw Hill. And if attacked, S & P will always assert its good faith by recalling that it had downgraded the rating of its own parent a few years ago.

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Fillon wants to reduce spending by 45 billion euros

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Found 100 billion euros in three years. This is the government's objective to reduce the deficit from 8% to 3% in 2013, reiterated Prime Minister François Fillon on Saturday, which gave details of the proposed measures. "We have pledged by 2013 to reduce our deficit from 8% to 3% and all our efforts will focus on this priority. It means basically that should reduce the deficit of 100 billion by 2013, "he said during a meeting with new members of the UMP Salle Gaveau.

The $ 100 billion, "we (them) to find the half in spending cuts and half in revenue increases," said the head of government.The 50 billion euros in spending cuts will be made up of "45 billion by reducing public expenditure, 5 billion on reducing tax loopholes."

On the revenue side, the 50 billion do not result from increased taxes and levies, "said Francois Fillon. He bets on "35 billion upgrading after the crisis, loss of revenue cyclical. (…) As and when growth returns, revenues are growing once again, "he said. And the remaining 15 billion? They "will correspond to the end of the steps we have taken to boost the economy and have obviously not meant to last beyond this period of recovery," he added no fax pay day loan.

In May, Francois Fillon had already announced a freeze in spending value of the state but had not detailed the targets.These details are involved a little less than a week after Berlin has adopted a plan rigorously evaluated at 80 billion euros. France is under pressure from financial markets and rating agencies, who urged him to detail the measures to be taken to reduce debt.

"New sources of funding"

The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of pensions. While the government prepares to release his reform plan, Francois Fillon reiterated its intention to extend the duration of activity and pushing the "symbol" of the statutory retirement age to 60 years.

It will also seek new financing, he added. "Justice will lead us to seek new sources of financing because the effort must be shared by all," he said.Nevertheless, the government has temporarily waived taxing incomes over 11,000 euros per month, according to information from Figaro.

MEDEF: Metallurgy sets its requirements

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

A matter of survival! Frederic Saint-Geours does not mince his words on Thursday night calling for a profound "recasting employers, on pain of extinction. "In an era of increased competition, where companies seek to reduce overhead and streamline their organization, employers can continue to live on and operate under a structure inherited from the postwar period, has hammered the President the UIMM, in closing the third annual convention of the federation. The employers' organization must meet the expectations of businesses by simplifying its structure (…).Remaining fragmented, we are threatened with extinction in the debate and public action. "

Less than three months to designate the future boss of bosses, the first president of the federation MEDEF has actually set a roadmap can not be clearer for any candidate who would boast the support of the UIMM.

More collegiality

For him, this overhaul is necessary for a "governance reform of MEDEF" he deems perfect. "To better represent the enormous diversity of landscape entrepreneurial French, Medef needs a mode more college (… ), which requires an exemplary collaboration with all components and inter-professional ", justified Frederic Saint-Geours, as the text of his speech – the meeting took place behind closed doors.

The roles must be "clearly established" between a president "in entrepreneurial function, a general manager" responsible for services and the thriving community "and a college of elected officials" fully involved in the preparation position papers and public negotiations with the unions. " A thinly veiled criticism of Laurence Parisot, president of MEDEF, full time since 2005, who spent three CEOs in less than two years and who is accused of taking unilateral decisions.

However, no question of leaving the MEDEF, ensure UIMM – which is one of the most important components. Instead, a call was launched "to restore unity around the MEDEF employers'. Not without asking the end of "fratricidal quarrels" with CGPME – which is also UIMM stick – and the architects of the UPA.The "fierce competition" which engage the employers 'confederations' and display their differences "prove" suicidal for the employers and weaken its position vis-?-vis the government and unions. "

The president of the UIMM also wants to end "the milfoil employer" to approximate the structures (territorial chambers, trade associations, chambers of commerce …). Metallurgy promises to lead by example.

Becoming "the spokesman of the unanimous opinion" of the industrial enterprises that were surveyed in preparation for this convention, Frederic Saint-Geours has finally stated intention to develop cooperation with the federations of industry (chemical, textile … ) "on three common issues, including the promotion of an enabling environment for economic and social competitiveness of industrial enterprises and enhancing their businesses.In short, strengthening the "inter-industry level. Quit walking on beds of MEDEF. Again, Laurence Parisot appreciate …

Cr?dit Agricole is preparing its future "without taboo"

Monday, March 8th, 2010

For the first time since his enthronement at the Directorate General of Cr?dit Agricole SA on 1 March, Jean-Paul Chifflet unveils his priorities. A strategic plan for the bank to finalize by July and, especially, a group project that will determine, December 15, the broad long-term. Until then secretary general of the National Federation of Credit Agricole (FNCA), the "parliament of Regional Banks, the leader takes the reins of the first national network of financing the French economy after a period of strong tensions.

Le Figaro. – You arrive at the branch of Credit Agricole after a period marked by strong internal tensions. What is today the climate within the group?

Jean-Paul CHIFFLET. – The page is turned.The Regional Banks have expressed the chairman Rene Carron and the board gave me their trust. Since the handover with Georges Pauget has been successful and the fears that had been born to Cr?dit Agricole SA have been lifted. It is now for me to get the confidence of team Credit Agricole SA and be up to the expectations that have been made. We are a bank different. Our values correspond to the aspirations of society and an agricultural credit united and mobilized is able to achieve great things.

Your first appointments give full details to the "barons" of Regional Banks. Is it to regain control group by the network?

Only by taking into account the competencies of each guided these choices. Leaders of major subsidiaries have been also confirmed in their posts.I advocate balance and diversity profiles. I've always been concerned teams. Probably because I can not work alone!

The disagreements between President Rene Carron and CEO George Pauget were notorious. How do you prepare to work with Jean-Marie Sander?

We just spent three and a half together with the Federation and we get along very well. This does not prevent us from having trade sometimes "manly", but ultimately we are always in phase. We have a real mutual respect and we will arrange to fill our roles, the presidency of Jean-Marie and the executive branch for me.

When you were on the Federation side, you had ceased all your role as majority shareholder of CASA through the SAS La Boetie.Now, what are your successors who will have this power …

We change jersey but we do not change the team! I am very pleased that we have created the SAS La Boetie. There, on one side, a majority shareholder to comply and, on the other, a listed company to also comply. This means that conflicts of interest may arise – for example around the dividend. They should not be ignored but, instead, discussed and placed on the table.

It also happens that I know very well my successor, Philippe Brassac, and this creates favorable conditions for dealing with conflicts.

What are your priorities?

We are launching a strategic review of business Credit Agricole SA, which culminate in June-July. And at the same time, we also launched a group project to define the broad guidelines to ten years.It is an exercise that Credit Agricole has already done twice before, in 1990 and 2000. We will hold our first meeting March 17 with the presidents and CEOs of regional banks and the Executive Committee of Cr?dit Agricole SA payday loan lenders . And December 15, we will make our work.

What to expect?

We will prepare the future of group work on its customer relationships, profile, perimeter, etc.. There is no taboo. But I do not anticipate a priori true strategic failure.

Even your bank subsidiary of Cr?dit Agricole CIB investment? Some see you out of those trades …

You know, agricultural credit, we know that this is not because there has been a year of freezing as it takes to cut the apricots that have not happened.There is no question of any arrest. Since the implementation of our plan to refocus our organization is in line with our strategy. Cr?dit Agricole to finance companies, small as well as large. And for that we must be able to offer financing capabilities as well as services markets. Our team of market operators is 400 employees. Some of our competitors have up to 4 000. But the size of our team responds well to our model and is suited to serve our customers.

And internationally, the painful failure of your purchase in Greece call into question your political opening?

Cr?dit Agricole has decided, ten years ago, opening up to Europe. Italy, Egypt or Morocco are real success. In Greece, we have a difficult issue with our subsidiary Emporiki. We're the remedy.Now it is true that Credit Agricole could further strengthen its control over international. There, in the Regional Banks, or at CASA at LCL, a pool of talent that we have to animate to have more staff able to intervene outside our borders. It is for us a real challenge.

Do you participate in the movement of consolidation in the banking sector?

Do not confuse speed with haste. The schedule is favorable to us. We will finalize our project group at the end of the year and will be ready to act even though the regulatory horizon to be clarified. We do not intend to stay out of the game.

Cr?dit Agricole has already begun to move closer to Societe Generale in some trades. And more extensive project were surveyed …

This debate is beginning to date.With Amund, we set a good joint venture in asset management. If we find other opportunities for collaboration to reduce intermediation costs for our customers, we will. With the Company generally or with others. We are, for example, partners in securities trades with BNP Paribas and savings banks.

In 2006, Cr?dit Agricole was elbow to elbow with BNP Paribas in terms of results. In 2009, you are in the half. The gap is definitely dug it?

It will perhaps surprise you, but we are not trying to be first. BNP Paribas, which leaves a external growth operation, displays a net banking income of some 40 billion euros. We are 30 billion. The gap is less important. However, our outstanding financing of the economy in France reached 460 billion euros, well ahead of our competitors.We seek above all to make ourselves useful to the economy without making the race for size.

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