Posts Tagged ‘stories’

Wall Street is evolving in a piecemeal

Monday, July 12th, 2010

The caution is in U.S. markets on Monday. As we enter the ball of the first quarterly results on Monday, including Alcoa's after-hours trade, the U.S. markets move in an uncoordinated manner. The Dow Jones lost 0.09% to 10,189 points, in contrast, the Nasdaq advance of 0.56% to 2209 points and the S & P 500 gained 0.01% to 1078 points. Friday, Wall Street closed higher in very small volumes before the opening of the quarterly earnings season. The Dow Jones rose by 0.58% at 10,197 points, the Nasdaq 0.97% to 2196 points and the Standard & Poor's 500 by 0.72% to 1077 points.

The euro under $ 1.26

On the foreign exchange market, the euro has further retreated from Monday to below $ 1.26, on a foreign exchange market characterized by a weaker yen due to the electoral defeat of the ruling party in Japan and Pending results of the first companies in the United States.In the eurozone, the key event of the week will be put on the market for Treasury bills Greek tomorrow, the first since the announcement of the bailout of the European Union and the IMF in May

The week will be rich in promises of economic indicators in North America. In addition to the cascade of results expected in the coming days, markets will look especially to the publication of the minutes of the last meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.They will look particularly at whether the Fed fears that the crisis of sovereign debt in Europe weigh on U.S. growth.

The ball starts quarterly results

In the absence of major macroeconomic publications on Monday, the market should focus on the first quarterly results announcements in the United States.

As always, the kick the ball in quarterly results, will be given by the aluminum giant Alcoa today after closing. Follow in the week the groups technology Google, AMD or Intel, and banks JPMorgan and Bank of America. The figures will be scrutinized with JPMorgan special attention because many investors believe that it is the financial will signal a rebound in real markets.

Everyone needs health insurance today. This is because of the ever rising costs of hospital bills and medicines. Not all insurance policies can be applied to our needs.

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Lagarde freeze gas prices

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

The Regulatory Commission (CRE) had just agreed to the request of GDF Suez to raise gas prices as of July 1. They grow by 4.7%, bringing the increase to nearly 15% since the beginning of the year. Although this further increase was expected, the household energy bill begins to weigh.

However, Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, warned Friday that gas prices will not move until January 1. Consumers will escape upwards so that additional sketched already by 1 October – the price revision is now making quarterly.

The "pause" as required by the Minister is made on behalf of a review of the formula that currently GDF Suez to calculate its rates. In spring, the regulator had already begun an audit. It will therefore continue, before the drawing, probably new method of calculation.Knowing that GDF Suez is currently conducting a number of renegotiations with producer countries. 'I hope that the CRE do an audit of this formula because I'm quite surprised at the speed of execution and I wish that as a result of this audit, we determine if the formula is good, "said Friday Christine Lagarde on France Inter.

"The current tariff is not obsolete, but it can be optimized," says one expert dossier.In discussion, the long-term contracts underlying the supply of GDF Suez (with key suppliers such as Russia, Algeria and Norway), while the spot price of gas fall very weakly into account in calculating the formula.

The government takes the hand

"On a more general issue is whether to continue to index the price of oil on gas prices, even though overproduction of gas worldwide has resulted in a fall prices, "says one expert. However, increased consideration of market prices in the establishment of the formula may increase the volatility of the prices. In all cases, the balance is difficult to find.

For government, the issue of gas prices remains thorny.Early this year he thought he had found a solution by entrusting exclusively to the regulator, on the proposal of GDF SUEZ, the task of settling. But after two significant increases in quick succession, the government, well aware of the unpopular side of the increases among the public, are now forced to return to the game

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Trade Electrical trial Kerviel

Friday, June 11th, 2010

The first witnesses in the trial of Jerome Kerviel to show unfavorable to the former trader. However, the three lawyers of the Societe Generale seem nervous.

My Veil, Reinhart and Martineau do not in place. Sometimes they twirl and shake, like swallows on a wire, while nearly two representatives of the Crown. The result is a mass effect on the side of the charge, which accentuates the loneliness of the accused, sitting in a chair – which is probably not displease her advice. Sometimes, in turn, lawyers for the plaintiff are powerful whisper the word to reporters, as if they have trumpeted the court might be misunderstood.

Here are just a witness who has everything to please them: SN is a trader at Societe Generale. Tall, slim, short hair, gray suit (a standard, obviously), this old friend of Mr.Kerviel stands slightly hunched, embarrassed of the man whose belly gargoyle society. "I do not necessarily asked to be there," he slips to the President. But since there is, he sings the lament of an honest financial embittered: "We all have limits to respect. Jerome Kerviel took positions stratospheric, endangering the bank and its employees. We are fighting every day to earn a little money in the bank. I am disappointed and disgusted. "

Mr. Metzner asticote this model employee: "If you say the lesser evil of the Company generally, you would find your chair tomorrow?"

The witness, categorically: "Yes."

The lawyer, humbug "Try …"

Martineau and yelping My Veil: "MSunder oath! We want him to give false testimony: "The prosecutor Jean-Michel Aldebert, while caveat:" Do not terrorize witnesses, Master! "

Mr. Metzner and his partner, Nicolas Huc-Morel, now produce a picture that at first sight, shows that the theoretical limit imposed on the traders would have been "disabled" – understood: it was not expressly prohibited Kerviel to invest billions. Claire Dumas, part of SocGen, refutes the argument. The three councils of the bank seriously nod of the head, Mr. Metzner is gloating.As Mr Kerviel, but it should be noted that his ostensible irony and his disposition to take up anyone questioned irritate the president, who often questioned.

Societe Generale, it comes out of his sleeve a graphic frightening: If it had not "unwound" Kerviel aberrant positions from January 2008, she had said she lost, not 4.9, but 29 billion. This time, his trio swagger, while Mr. Metzner, red as a peony, storm: "These pieces have not been disclosed to the defense!"

The performance resumed Friday morning.

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Total units sold in Norway

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Always with a view to separate its non-strategic activities for its "upstream" Total assigns those of its oil fields Valhall and Hod – whose group owns 15.7% respectively and 25% – located in the North Sea Norwegian. Transaction amount: $ 911 million, or 680 million euros.

"In the coming years, the group intends to maintain its level of investment in order to optimize its Norwegian oil and gas reserves," he said in a statement released Tuesday morning.

Note that Norway is the largest contributor to the production, with nearly 330,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe / d) produced in 2009.This production, which represents about 15% of the total group, from 35 fields on the Norwegian continental shelf in which Total holds a no fax pay day loans.

Began production in 1982, the Valhall oil field production has reached an average share for the group of approximately 8,000 boe / d in 2009. The Hod, in production since 1990, produced in 2009 an average of approximately 1,000 boe / d in proportion to the group.

Total currently holds interests in 77 licenses in Norway, including 15 as an operator.

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HSBC: 8000 French in the stolen files

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

The files stolen by Herve Falciani the Swiss subsidiary of HSBC bank, and who found themselves in the hands of justice and the French tax authorities have been decrypted. In total, 172,000 accounts have been identified, held by 79,000 people, including 8,000 French. The prosecutor of Nice, Eric de Montgolfier, announced Tuesday evening.

It is well beyond what had been said, on March 11 last, the CEO of HSBC Private Bank, Alexander Zeller. The theft "committed by an employee of the department about three years ago, could affect some 15,000 customers," he declared at a news conference.Regarding the French, it is also far escaped the 3000 tax raised by Eric Woerth, budget minister last summer.

Return a long history

The French court before January 20, 2009 at the home of French Herve Falciani encrypted computer files containing a list of accounts held by customers of HSBC. The search was conducted as part of a request by Swiss judicial authorities, suspecting the employee of misappropriation of confidential data between 2006 and 2007.

But before passing to the Swiss, French investigators have analyzed the content of these seizures, which have proved of great interest for justice and the French tax authorities.Prosecutors in Nice opened an investigation for money laundering and tax administration has used the data to identify suspected fraudsters No teletrack payday loans.

The Battle of France

Shareholders who were illegally will pay for it keeps those who do not. Of the 6 billion euros of capital identified in the accounts in Switzerland, 700 million penalty in 2010 will be released. And 700 million euros will be refunded to taxpayers whose tax exceeds 50% of revenues.

In Italy, the method was different. Silvio Berlusconi has been voted an amnesty which showed 95 billion euros of capital and reported $ 6 billion in the Italian Treasury.

But the amnesty is not on the agenda in France. "Because the amnesty called fraud until the next amnesty," said Eric Woerth.

Italy on the alert

"Prosecutors in Turin we sent a request for mutual legal enforcement. He asked to get copies of the data we have captured, "said Eric de Montgolfier. According to the prosecutor, the Italian justice has opened an investigation for tax evasion.

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"HSBC" Falciani did not present its list to the tax "

"In the secrets of the computer Falciani

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The electricity tax will be reformed

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Taxes are so many in France that the French often pay taxes without realizing it. Who knows the local tax on electricity (TLE), which is yet on the electricity bill under the term "local taxes"? Levied by counties and municipalities, it is now optional. But most local officials do not hesitate to apply it, and very often at the maximum rate allowed, or 8% for municipalities and 4% for the departments. This tax applies to 80% of pre-tax amount of electricity bill. Clearly, if you pay 150 euros per year, excluding tax, subscription and consumption of electricity, the TLE can climb up to 14.40 euros. The total cost TLE still one billion per year to households. The note is for the companies is anywhere from 500 million (the largest consumers of electricity are exempt from TLE).

This system will certainly evolve in the coming months.Because France does not respect EU rules: since 1 January 2009, the FTA should become mandatory. The 2003 directive on the taxation of energy products and electricity provided that each State should, at that time, have a low tax (the minima are lower than current French) but paid for by all and based on the volumes consumed and not the amount of the invoice.

Losers in the rural

The European Commission said in Paris about the end of March, threatening to bring the case before the Court of Justice if the reform was not implemented within two months. For now, the government has not made a decision. But Bercy board on the subject. Indeed, a first draft was submitted to the consultation in late 2008 which set the fee to 8.50 euros per megawatt hour for households. A level calculated for the levy does not change.For Bercy is that the changeover from one system to another is painless for the French. But there will inevitably be losers: the inhabitants of the few municipalities, often rural, not applying EFT. Additional cost for a typical household of two children: about 25 euros per year. At a Senate hearing, Philippe Marini, the UMP rapporteur of the Budget, has proposed that, in this case, the application of the new tax should be spread over five years.

But there will also be winners, as second home owners, who will pay more than their consumption, whereas before the subscription was also submitted to the FTA and the Parisians, whose rate of TLE (13.2 %) was higher. Ultimately, all French people will be interested because the volumes consumed – using the new system – progress less rapidly than the bill that reflected higher prices. This does not relish the local politicians.Another uncertainty, Brussels does allow communities to adjust the tax? Apparently so. Finally, manufacturers will be exempt from TLE, themselves, pay the new tax. The final draft is not yet completed. And it is unlikely to be ready before the review in May and June, the bill on the organization of the electricity market. Especially if the government wants to resume consultations. The deadline is rather that the next draft budget law for 2011.

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Pensions: Kickoff is given

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

The heating is completed, the observation round begins Sunday at 8:30. Labour Minister, Eric Woerth, officially begins the pension reform. Accompanied by his Secretary of State for Public Service, Georges Tron, he receives throughout the day, rue de Grenelle, the leaders of trade union confederations and employers.

These appointments were, in principle, a specific purpose: to expose government stakeholders and especially the method of the calendar months. In the method, it is clear that it will be a consultation and not negotiation. The Executive will not seek to sign an agreement with unions he knows already lost the bet and try to get, at best, the benevolent neutrality of both restrained anger of others …

On the calendar, some guests Eric Woerth has already been informed of the broad potential.Except reversal, the government is a parliamentary debate early in the fastest possible in September. To avoid giving the impression to "trap" the French text, revealing a heart of summer, this would require legislation by the Cabinet in late June and early July.

In this context, the Minister of Labour should offer to unions and employers to review in early May to scan all possible to rectify the accounts, then dig in some more detail in a few weeks later. This agenda will not prevent small employer and union representatives today to remind the Minister priorities. Starting with the maintenance of the legal age of retirement at age 60 for all unions except the CFE-CGC."It is vital that young people regain confidence in our pension system, said the representative of the union executives, Daniele Karniewicz. If the government is prepared to guarantee to every French pension representing a minimum percentage of their final salary, that percentage could be higher for minimum wage earners than for executives, then we are prepared to look hard. "

"Taking the specific

If the file pension remains explosive, the Elysee seems to send some recent signs of goodwill towards the unions. Nicolas Sarkozy has discussed the idea of relaxing, it was minimal, the tax shield, which would allow the "efforts" necessary to save the pension to be borne by all.

Aides to President also raised the possibility of a "specific charge on certain categories" population Guaranteed pay day loans. Tracks that can only talk to the CGT or CFDT, who constantly demand the abolition of the shield, or FP, which requires additional resources for retirement.

Another element could help to relax the atmosphere a little: the unions know that the documents be published on Tuesday Guidance Council pensions-that is the second highlight of the week will go less far than expected. The NRC will assess, as expected, "the extent of damage."In recalling an annual shortfall of 100 billion euros to balance plans in 2050 in late January in Le Figaro, Francois Fillon has already set an order of magnitude.

However, encryption of 7 scenarios for postponement of retirement age or longer duration of assessment is delayed two weeks at least. And it will be published as part of an "Attachment", supposed to have less power than a traditional formal report. There are a few more days, Jean-Christophe Le Duigou (SGC) raged against "these extravagant hypotheses tested without scientific rigor."But this time might amount only to fall to jump better.

A deep left-right

According to a Harris Interactive poll for RTL (online survey 8 and April 9 to 1 073 people quota method), the French consider it necessary to pension reform (80%) … but to show opposed to preferred by the tracks government. 56% say they are not "personally willing to contribute for longer" and 60% rejected the idea of lower legal age of retirement.

These two cases show a deep political divide. The left-wing supporters refuse to 78% as the legal age of retirement is down beyond 60 years. The supporters are right whereas 62% consider this track.Oddly enough, a story appears, however, collect some consensus: 87% say "right" but 77% of respondents "left" are in favor of "a pension plan for employees in the same public and private . That would still be, from a strictly technical point of view, one of the most complex to implement!

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We have 37 euros in pocket

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

The wallet 100% electronic, it is not for tomorrow. According to a poll conducted last month by Ifop for Wincor Nixdorf, the French claim to hold 95% of cash on them. What make the heart glad to sponsor this survey specialist payment systems (cash, ATM …) To qualify however: among the 1005 respondents, only 16% of 18-24 year olds systematically the cash on them against 52% of those 65 and older.

In looking to the bottom of our pockets, the pollster has determined that it contains on average 37 euros with substantial differences from the profiles. The more than 65 years generally have 59 euros on them while under 30 simply 20 euros.The Ifop also notes that men have pockets trimmed a little better (44 euros against 31 for women) as well as the people of south east (47 euros) and the Paris region (43 euros).

For those who prefer to dispense with "liquid" is obviously because they prefer to use their credit card (77%) or to spend less money (30%). Only 5% of species resistant to explain this move by the fear of being robbed of his money no fax cash loans. We also learn in this survey just over a third of respondents keep cash at home (36%).Among them, they are even one quarter (24%) admit to hiding in their homes, 20% a small amount and 4% a big sum.

Must feed for purses in small denominations, vending machines are visited at least once a week for 34% of the French, "several times a month" for 35% and "less frequent" for 29% of them. It withdraws an amount less than 50 euros for 60% of respondents, 10% of French people with experience, in turn, withdraw 100 euros. Only small expenses (groceries, newspapers, tobacco …) are subject to a cash payment by a large majority of French. Cinema and the parking stand still (44% cash payment and 56% prefer another means of payment). The products that we pay the least happy in hard cash? The gasoline service station (4%) and shopping in supermarkets (5%).

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The CAC 40 oscillates around equilibrium

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

While the U.S. exchanges fell back into the red Tuesday – the deteriorating trade balance, coupled with poor results from Alcoa weighed on the trend – Asia closed the Wednesday meeting ground largely negative. The stock index in Asia was down 1.85% at 3052.73 points, with a decline in the Nikkei 1.32%, to 10,735.03 points. The announcement yesterday by the Bank of China to raise the reserve requirement ratio to major banks and a rise in interest rates on treasury bills to one year have replenished the prospects for closer Currency in China.

In Europe, it is the hesitation that dominates. Fellowships, yet influenced the decline in the wake of other large places, managed to hang in balance or even exceed it slightly. Around 10:30 am, the CAC 40 is timidly 0.13% at 4005 points, and save the 4,000-point mark.The DAX index of 30 blue chips of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange operates similarly, from 0.13% to 5.950 points.

Macroeconomic side, the consumer prices in France rose slightly in December compared to the previous month (+0.3%) and are up 0.9% year on year, said Wednesday INSEE. In Germany, GDP dropped by 5% in 2009, after +1.3% in 2008.

At noon, the European surveys monitor monthly business survey for December. And at 16:30, the U.S. will unveil its weekly inventory of crude oil. Well after closing at night, the president's speech to the Philadelphia Fed Charles Plosser, the U.S. economic outlook will be closely followed.

Societe Generale launched a "profit warning"

On the values front, the news this early morning is the profit warning from Societe Generale.The bank said today that it expected record results "slightly" profit in the fourth quarter of 2009, below market expectations, due to the recording in the accounts of a negative impact of 1.4 billion ' euro-related assets at risk. The titles fall of 4.84%, to 49.17 euros, showing the worst performance of the ACC. In this wake, the banks are struggling. Credit Agricole (-2.28%), Dexia (-2.05%) and BNP Paribas (-1.78%) are in the end list.

Renault (+0.25%) continues to rattle the government. The state also largest shareholder, was summoned to renounce a possible relocation of the production of the Clio in Turkey raises numerous critics. Today, a meeting between Minister of Industry, Christian Estrosi, and the CEO of Renault, Patrick Pelata, is provided.The manufacturer has provided reassurance in a statement that no "decision had been taken at this stage."

Topping the charts of ACC 40, Figure Carrefour (1.54%). HSBC has initiated coverage of the title with a neutral recommendation and a target price of 37 euros. After L'Oreal (+1.42%), Pernod Ricard (+1.06%) and Danone (1%).

In contrast, Saint-Gobain fell by nearly 1.2% after seeing lowered its recommendation to "neutral" by analysts at Credit Suisse, cons "outperform" before. Schneider Electric lost 0.6%, UBS changed from "buy" cons "neutral."

On the DRS, Thales (+1.3%) is doing well.

Xiring (+9.15%) announced yesterday after market sales for the fourth quarter 2009 from 9.3 million euros, unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2008.Esker (-3.2%) for the same period, revealed an activity of 5.9 million euros (+5%).

Cellectis (+2.71%) announced the signing of a licensing agreement with Bayer HealthCare, the healthcare division of the international group Bayer.

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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

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