Today Hot News

Suit and tie, dark glasses, briefcase and severe look. The "Men in Black", as are known as experts from the International Monetary Fund and the European institutions are back in Athens for two weeks. Their mission: to scrutinize the country's overburdened public accounts and the first assessment of the official plan of 110 billion euros for Greece in early May. If they judge that the government of George Papandreou meets its commitments, a second payment of 9 billion euros, will be completed in September.

The Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou, is not afraid of men in black. "The second tranche of the plan will be paid if we have achieved the targets" by the international community, he said this weekend in an interview to a Greek newspaper. "These conditions were replies and we've even gone ahead with the vote of the pension reform.Greece adopted in June a postponement of the age of retirement at age 65.

"Progress"

The International Monetary Fund had also considered a report published in mid-July, the Greek authorities' making strides to redress public finances. " Athens was required to reduce the deficit by 39% in the first half. He did much better than that, reducing it by 46%.

"They were the hardest, reducing public spending more severely than expected," Judge Jean-Francois Robin, rate and currency strategist at Natixis AM. "In terms of fiscal consolidation, they are on track to be the best European students in the class and should succeed in reducing their deficit to about 9%." Good student in 2009, Ireland is in contrast to the penalty this year and could be weighted with a deficit of 12% in late 2010.

Uncertainties on Revenue

In Greece, if the goal seems far exceeded expenditure side, the revenue side "is more uncertain because revenues depend heavily on economic growth and tax base," Philip Sabuco shade, an economist at BNP Paribas., Philip Sabuco shade, economist at BNP Paribas. The government has managed to find only 7% of additional revenue to date, well below the target of 13, 7%.

Greece will not be judged solely on controlling the budget deficit. The IMF will look very closely the progress of privatization of public enterprises, the state (disastrous) finance social security, the release of occupations "protected" (trucker, notaries, architects, etc..). Records of which Athens is late.

See also:

"SPECIAL CASE – Greece, a challenge for Europe

For Christine Lagarde at the Ministry of Finance, Dominique Strauss-Kahn as IMF, Jean-Claude Trichet at the ECB (European Central Bank), confidence is at an appointment. The results of stress tests, tests of resistance of 91 European banks (including four French *) in an economic environment deteriorated, which will be announced Friday, will be good. Rumors even show a successful Franco-Belgian Dexia and the Belgian KBC, however fragile, in this review.

A view shared by Michael Emmanuel Thuy Munis and Hassim, respectively partner and manager of the consulting firm NPT Consultants specializes in the banking and insurance.

Lefigaro.fr / jdf.com – French banks (NBP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and Natixis) Will they pass the exam?

Without a doubt! These stress tests are a bit like the Bachelor: almost everyone will have it in Europe, which makes him lose credibility. In fact, the findings of these tests of resistance will not argue not much. What to watch, what are the assumptions.

Which are these assumptions?

Assumptions on growth, unemployment, inflation and real estate are set by the Bank of France. There are two scenarios: one optimistic and one pessimistic. For example, last year, the first was zero growth and the second a recession of 2.5%.

From a standpoint of the bank as a company, the exercise was to downgrade by one notch rating default probability given to each level of the portfolio of the bank.

For example, if a risk of default is currently 2, the bank simulates a situation where the risk is rated 4. All branches of the portfolio and are staggered. On seeing the situation deteriorate and in its asset portfolio, the bank must protect themselves against-some of these risks and increase its mass of capital and liquidity to cope with any difficulties. This is also the challenge of the recommendations of Basel III, currently in talks.

These assumptions pose any real conditions of a major economic crisis?

The assumptions and asked did not reflect the reality of a major shock No fax cash loans. They lay the groundwork for a gradual and slow recovery, but do not take into account the possibility of a relapse into recession, for example (the famous "double-dip").

Neither of the possible restructuring of the debt of a country of weight outside the EU. As Russia. While in Europe, as was the case with Greece, for example, member states have shown they would join forces in order not to leave one of his bankruptcy, what will happen if Russia had to reschedule its debt? We can not know, but the situation would be catastrophic.

What are the political success of these stress tests?

There is a little over a year, the U.S. findings were providing stress testing of 19 banks very good (only two have failed), which had been boosted confidence in the U.S. banking system after the blow of Lehman Brothers, which filed for bankruptcy in September 2008.And after that 10% of U.S. institutions bancires put the key under the door!

European markets also need to be reassured, and policies have any interest.Ultimately, these stress tests are different goal in mind that European governments are behind their banks.

French banks can they go bankrupt?

In France, BNP Paribas, Societe Generale and Credit Agricole, which spans international, will never be dropped by the French state, because the consequences of a failure of one of these institutions are unimaginable, especially in terms of employment.

If they had to go through another very difficult phase, the state will play its role of lender of last resort, even though the price of a huge debt.

ALSO READ:

"Europe controls the strength of its banks

"Europe is testing banks and vice versa

"Stress tests: success for Dexia and KBC

* BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and Natixis.

Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Germany could still suffer. After the controversial purchase of a CD from Switzerland containing lists of suspected tax evaders in Germany launches massive search operation in the German subsidiary of Swiss bank Credit Suisse. Objective: to update the 1100 alleged customers of the bank suspected of evading taxes, and employees of the bank suspected to have helped.

The raids took place simultaneously in 13 cities and were conducted by 150 officers. Credit Suisse, which remained silent on the subject, has finally reacted by saying "cooperate with the authorities." "This is an ongoing investigation, so we can give more information," says the facility.

Unsurprisingly

Since March 19 this year, the Dusseldorf prosecutor's office suggested that he was investigating cons these clients in the fight against tax evasion carried out by the government. The purchase of the CD has already led almost 12.000à denounce himself, according to last count, in late March.

Credit Suisse is not the only Swiss bank in the sights of German authorities. UBS industry leader, is also subject of an investigation, not prosecution, but the authority of financial sector supervision Authority (BaFin).

Negotiations stalled

These searches involved in full discussions between Bern and Berlin on improving the exchange of information between the two countries payday loans in 1 hour. Both governments wish to reach an agreement that also aims to avoid double taxation.

In late March, the finance ministers of the two states signed a convention in this sense, but it is still not signed. Both governments face difficult issues such as control of German assets placed in Switzerland. A working group has also been mandated to expand the proposals and make findings in the fall.

Meanwhile, the convention is not in force, allowing Germany to put pressure on Swiss institutions. The spokesman for the German Finance Ministry wants yet reassuring: "We assume that the negotiations with Switzerland will continue to be constructive and to unfold in an atmosphere of mutual trust." He says they will, if successful, to "render obsolete" files using File Swiss bank clients stolen and resold.

The German technique is the same as that adopted in respect of Liechtenstein. In 2008, the Secret Service had bought a CD of stolen banking data, to 4.2 million euros. Having conducted several surveys, they managed to uncover many fraudsters, including the former boss of Deutsche Post, Klaus Zumwinkel. Under pressure, Liechtenstein was finally ratified an agreement on exchange of information on German assets located within the principality.

D-Day for Marcello Convite the boss of the small company that wants tricolor Carmat conquer the world with its first total artificial heart biocompatible. This Tuesday, in fact, that the start-up takes its first steps on the Paris Stock Exchange, having packed the heart of investors. In difficult market conditions, the SME accompanied by Truffle Capital, its largest shareholder (30%) and EADS, has done better than expected, raising 14.5 million euros at a price of 18.50 euros per share enhancing from the outset the company 75 million. A great appreciation for its Director General who has taken brilliantly in the year, new to him, the financial road show.

This Italian 57 years, trained in computer technology and speaks five languages, has not missed any arguments to "sell" the young company and its innovative and promising.His prosthesis, implantable total artificial heart developed by Professor Carpentier of the Georges Pompidou Hospital, from 2013 should help save tens of thousands of cardiac patients. A challenge that fascinates Marcello Convite former IBM and Fiat, paid for thirty years in the life sciences. He held until last September to senior posts in the American International Edwards Lifesciences, who had just bought to Professor Carpentier's revolutionary concept of cardiac valves. For Dr. Philippe Pouletty, CEO of Truffle Capital, with the artificial heart (which will remain French …), Carmat has "all the ingredients to become a global technology company beautiful. "A great adventure of entrepreneurs, leading the veteran of the biotechnology industry has also brought public in April and companies Neovacs Deinove.

Carmat is, in fact, primarily a story of men.An R & D secrets first, initiated in EADS by Jean-Luc Lagardere and Professor Carpentier and developed for 15 years by a team of engineers led by former "Mr. International" of EADS, Jean-Claude Cadudal, president of Carmat.

Beside him, the engineer, former head of EADS big projects, and "very good teacher," Patrick Coulombier, also played a key role. It is today, with Marcello Convite DGA society. It was created in 2008 under the leadership of Philippe Pouletty because, after the release of préprototype, "he had to go to the next level." By convincing the engineers of the European giant switch in the start-up and live the adventure.

ALSO READ:

"Investors believe the success of artificial heart

"Carmat is betting on an artificial heart French

The quest for investors to be difficult for Tony Hayward, BP's boss. According to the special edition of the newsletter Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) to be published Monday, the emirate of Abu Dhabi would be reluctant to invest in the oil. The richest emirate in the federation of the UAE would not be accountable to the U.S. Department of Justice, which wants to want to be informed of any transfer of assets from BP. The Sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), became in 2007 the largest shareholder in Citigroup, is already in full court battle with the giant American banker whom he accused of fraud.

If the information is confirmed, it would be a setback for Tony Hayward, last Wednesday, went to Abu Dhabi, to convince the influential Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed to buy 10% stake BP.

Abu Dhabi, however, may "want to take stakes in certain assets of BP in the region, but provided they have no problems with the U.S. Department of Justice," says MEES.

Leverage counterparts

In addition to the SWFs in the Middle East, BP tries to seduce her American counterparts. According to the Sunday Times this Sunday, the tanker is currently in exclusive negotiations with the U.S. Apache Corporation to sell up to $ 12 billion of assets, including its share in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the largest field North America. Apache, which is worth 29 billion dollars in stock, has already signed with BP repurchases in the past.But this operation would be of a different scale: Prudhoe Bay produces 390,000 barrels per day, or 15% of the production of the North Sea.

The partners in the field of BP, Exxon and Conoco Philips, will certainly have rights of first refusal on the part of BP. This dernierpourrait allow them to buy if they offer the same price Apache. The Sunday Times also understands that the U.S. government would have allowed Exxon to study a possible takeover of BP.

The Sunday Times added that BP would also soon sell its 60% interest in Pan American Energy, a producer in Argentina. The acquisition of this share worth $ 9 billion Chinese CNOOC and try the Argentinian Bridas. BP is also expected to sell various other assets, including its activities in Venezuela and Colombia, worth one billion dollars, as well as those in Vietnam, a similar value.

The government is continuing its investigation

All these operations are part of the constitution by BP to a reserve fund of 20 billion dollars (15.8 billion euros) pledged U.S. authorities to ensure the cleanup costs and damages associated with the tide black.

So he has launched an operation which is expected to completely contain the leak, BP is still feeling the pressure from U.S. authorities. The Justice Department has announced that Sunday, through the voice of Minister Eric Holder would continue to investigate the causes of the spill that pollutes the Gulf of Mexico from late April to determine whether to proceed with indictments.

ALSO READ:

"BP continues to seek investors

"Libya could be interested in BP

The group Danone announced Friday the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of Medical Nutrition (NMI), an American company specializing in nutritional supplements for people under medical supervision.

The agreement provides that Danone will pay in cash approximately $ 62 million (51 million) to shareholders of MNI to acquire 100% of the group, Danone said in a statement.

The board of directors of American society has unanimously approved the merger, the CEO Frank A. Newman called "a tremendous opportunity for consumers, employees and shareholders of MNI.

Complementary products

The statement said the "strong complementarities" the two companies "in terms of product lines and distribution channels."Those would cater for the NMI especially the elderly, while those of Nutricia subsidiary of Danone, are primarily intended for infants.

NMI has recorded a turnover of 16 million dollars for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010, multiplied by ten in seven years. Its activities will be integrated into medical nutrition division of Danone, which last year generated in North America 70 million dollars. Danone considers medical nutrition as "the most attractive category of food."

If the political debate in Germany is keen on supporting Greece, no such thing in France. The Socialist Party will vote in the state next week's Budget Act that allows Paris to pay 3.9 billion euros in Athens in 2010. And this Wednesday, the hearing for two hours, the budget minister, Francois Baroin by the Finance Committee of the Assembly took place in a consensual atmosphere. "Everyone agreed it was necessary to go fast. We can not let go of Greece, especially since the effort required of his people is heavy, "recalls Jerome Cahuzac, Chairman of the PS Committee. Alarmed by the weakness of governance of the euro area and lamenting, for some, the absence of a European monetary fund, members hoped that the rescue is accelerating. "Many were disappointed that the summit of heads of state that takes place May 10," said Gilles Carrez, the general rapporteur UMP.What the minister said "it would be even more dangerous to yield to a form of precipitation.

Debate on the interest rate

The only objection was on the interest rate of 5% which Paris ready to Greece three years. The Socialists, Fran?ois Hollande and Henri Emmanuelli it was too high. But Jerome Cahuzac is more nuanced and noted that this rate is the result of a compromise between heads of state.

Still, the French government should actually earn money in the transaction, since borrows around 2.13% at five years. Baroin has been noted that the plan for Greece "is not an expense to the taxpayer! Is this why the consensus in France? "I believe above all that unlike Germany we have a culture of state intervention," said the UMP J?r?me Chartier."It is logical as German citizens, who have made sacrifices to repair their public finances, are more reluctant than the French, who were not virtuous," says the centrist Charles de Courson.

ALSO READ:

"Greece: Paris ready to pay 3.9 billion euros

"Berlin is threatening to say no to Athens

"Greece:" Confidence in the eurozone is at stake "

"Issues around the crisis in the euro area

The NYSE is changing the balance Monday shortly after opening in a market that remains ill at ease with prosecution by the U.S. stock market regulator against the bank Goldman Sachs. For its part, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 10.21 points to 11,021.87 points and the Nasdaq, dominated by technology, from 0.49 point to 2481.75 points. The broader index Standard & Poor's 500 ceded its 0.01% (0.09 points) to 1192.04 points.

The surprise decision by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to file a fraud complaint against Goldman Sachs has been a bombshell Friday on Wall Street. The shock wave spread in Asia this morning.

The NYSE has ended sharply lower Friday, led by falling bank shares, after the shock wave created by Goldman Sachs.The Dow Jones lost 1.13% and the Nasdaq 1.37%.

This latest scandal should support, with the American public, the banking reform projects of the Obama Administration. In addition, the Wall Street Journal, the SEC would consider other "fraud" banks like Deutsche Bank, UBS, Merrill Lynch … on securitization transactions.

The attack comes at the worst time in the open ball of publication of quarterly results to Wall Street. This week the results of 11 companies comprising the Dow Jones and 123 companies in the S & P 500 are expected on Wall Street.

Technology stocks are concerned now with IBM, Yahoo and Apple Tuesday, the day after Qualcomm or Microsoft on Thursday.

Financial stocks will be under the microscope. Citigroup (7.50% to $ 2.15) announced better than expected quarterly accounts.Goldman (-1.04% to 158.94 dollars) and State Street (1.40% to 47.15 dollars) will release their quarterly results tomorrow and Wells Fargo on Wednesday.

Also expected figures for regional banks like U.S. Bancorp, KeyCorp or institutions specialized in consumer credit, including Capital One or Travelers. Other sectors will also be represented with Telecom (AT & T), health (Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, Amgen ..), industry (EMC) or the OEM oil (Schlumberger) …

For specialists Aurel BGC, the risk of "making profit" is high after the recent rise in the U.S. market.Among the uncertainties on the bank, the risk of disappointment on publications and the absence of major economic indicator that can reassure the markets, caution this week on the markets.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro continued its fall against the dollar, suffering prosecutions by the SEC against Sachs and uncertainties which still surround the situation in Greece. In the morning, the euro was at 1.3448 dollars against 1.3496 dollars late Friday meeting.

It is an alliance that giant Credit Agricole is poised to build in the business of brokering, with China's Citic. Corroborating sources, the two groups, whose discussions began a year ago, will announce in the next few days their entry into exclusive negotiations.

Before yesterday, the Bloomberg spoke of the creation of a joint venture in Asia. The project is actually much broader. Cr?dit Agricole and Citic were preparing to share all of their brokerage activities, with the ambition to offer a comprehensive worldwide.For the Green Bank, this means that it will bring in the trash marriage the two flagships, CA Cheuvreux in Europe but also CLSA Asia inherited his nugget of the former Credit Lyonnais and the ex-Indosuez, which strike force in Asia is comprised of over 1 300 employees.

"An entry by the front door"

The negotiations will refine the assembly operation. It seems, however, have articulated a pattern in stages. Globally, the respective contributions show an economic weight of about 70% for Credit Agricole, 30% for its Chinese partner. In Asia alone, the ratio is 50-50.

In China, finally, market still very restrictive with regard to foreign players, the Green Bank would of course be a minority, but Citic would offer "an entry by the front door," said a source familiar with the matter.Both groups have the ambition to create a unique platform for implementation to the world. A strategy that sticks to the explosion of capital flows to and from the Asian region, particularly China. She also accompany the rise, very fast, of IPOs on the Asian markets for new local giants, but also of foreign cash advance payday loan. Western companies are increasingly likely to be tempted by either a dual listing-West Asia, either through public offerings in part of their activities in emerging markets.

In 2007, Citic had wanted to attempt the adventure of large-scale partnership in market activities.But the Chinese had backed the wrong horse by selecting Bear Stearns, number five on Wall Street, which was the first major victim of the financial crisis in March 2008. The company was swallowed by a weekend, for a pittance and under pressure from the Fed, JPMorgan.

By marrying his "brokerage" than CITIC, Cr?dit Agricole replicates the strategy already implemented in the field of asset management and derivatives: Green Bank has established two joint ventures with Societe Generale, Amund and Newedge . In both cases, there is access to the critical size. The problem applies to the brokerage, a business in which the challenge is to offset the costs of research teams and infrastructures, galloping amid technological revolution on the market.

Finally, the operation comes at a strategic refocusing of the Cr?dit Agricole group.The Green Bank in 2008 has imposed a severe weight loss at its investment banking subsidiary, which came early and suddenly in crisis. Now, CA IPC (Credit Agricole's Corporate and Investment Banking) is focused on three areas: structured finance, capital markets and brokerage. The planned offensive alliance with CITIC confirms this last job.

In an interview on RMC Info radio on Wednesday morning, the president of the SNCF, Guillaume Pepy announced three measures to better inform customers of the railway, victims of disruptions caused by the strike now in its eighth day.

SNCF undertakes to publish on Friday on its website and in the press, the list "train by train those who ride or not" for his customers are accurately informed about the conditions of their journey.

Another point, there will be more bookings on the main rail-route to the south-east, that is to say where the strike is the most followed. However, the reservations already made will remain valid.Guillaume Pepy has finally announced that there will be "measures of reimbursement for customers affected by the strike, but the details will be given after consultation with associations of users.

Do not give "bonus to strike"

Guillaume Pepy said also do not want to negotiate with the strikers saying only that "it is simply a bonus to strike from the premium to trading." Indeed, the two unions on strike, the CGT and the South have made the request a separate negotiation.Also it is "optimistic" about the round table proposed by management to all trade unions on April 21.

He also stressed that the minimum service was "pretty well" and that "all trains that were scheduled have been circulating," welcoming "the 96% of railway workers", they "were stoned for the past eight days to protect our customers maximum.

ALSO READ:

"SNCF: the vagaries of guaranteed service