21st November

LE FIGARO. – Despite the progress of the Brussels summit in Cannes and G20, the euro area is still in turmoil. What is the right long-term EU strategy to ward off these attacks on the euro?

Edouard Balladur. – Efforts by the Franco-German cooperation is commendable, but it must go further. The Europe of 27 is too broad and diverse, it is little more than a big market for the euro area, it has a single currency, but it is struggling to make quick decisions and does not have a policy exchange decided by a governmental authority. For twenty years, I defend an organization of Europe by combining circles States according to the skills shared. It is urgent to implement and begin to better organize the euro area.If the ECB was implementing this massive deterrence, speculation would fall and we would cease to move from crisis to crisis paydayloan.

The Germans did not they always raised an objection of inadmissibility outright the idea?

Do they have a reasonable expectation of it together without the 2 trillion dollars that would discourage speculation? Why is opposed to the expanded role of the ECB? The fear of inflation? The risk is much less in a world of globalization based on a competition that lowers prices.

Some defend the "other policy" and openly talk about protectionism. This crisis gives them she right?

On the contrary, it gives them wrong. History has decided: to maintain our role in the world, defend the ability of our business, secure our energy, we need to reduce deficits.

EDF tried for spying on Greenpeace

16th October

EDF appears from Monday morning before the correctional court of Nanterre for spying in 2006, a computer anti-nuclear organization Greenpeace. The electrician, as a corporation, and the head of his security service at the time, Pascal Durieux, 64, and his assistant Pierre-François Paul, 63, are charged with complicity of "undermining a system of automated data processing. " In other words for hacking.

EDF did not directly hacked the hard drive of Yannick Jadot, director of Greenpeace campaign. The company had used a business intelligence company, Kargus Consultants, headed by Thierry Lohro. Which had sought a self-taught hacker of his knowledge, Alain Quiros. The attacker was not enough stealth since he left traces on the computer of another victim allowed the court to go back to the folder Greenpeace.

Thierry Lohro is a former agent of the DGSE. Alain Quiros occasionally worked for the Atlantic Intelligence Company, founded by the former head of the GIGN Philippe Legorjus. EDF side, Pascal Durieux against a former admiral and his assistant Pierre-Paul Francis was a police officer.

Appropriate forum for Greenpeace

Facing the judge Thomas Cassuto, the two leaders EDF – removed from office in April 2009 – have denied knowledge of the illegal means used to gather information on Greenpeace. As for the CD-ROM found in the safe of Pierre-Paul Francois at EDF 1420 containing pirated files on the computer of Yannick Jadot, MM. François Durieux, and would not have bothered to watch the content according to their testimony. Pierre-François Paul does not deny having been presented to the hacker by Thierry Lohro Quiros in a cafe near the Military Club a few months before piracy.In addition, EDF has established two contracts with Kargus Consultants, a first in 2004 in the amount of 10,000 euros per month, the second in November 2006 providing for a fee of EUR 4,664 cash advances pay day loan.40 per month for one year. Police, Thierry Lohro said the contract was payment for subsequent operation of piracy.

Yannick Jadot, target of piracy, became MEP and spokesperson Eva Joly, the Green candidate for president: the trial offers a timely media platform to Greenpeace. And the opportunity to prove nothing less than "nuclear power is incompatible with the rules of French democracy." The organization claims 8.3 million euros in damages to EDF. For his part, counsel for the energy giant, Alex Gublin, raise, according to AFP, a priority issue of constitutionality (QPC) for a retroactive application of the law.The discretion of the President of the 15th Criminal Chamber, Isabelle Prevost-Desprez, the trial could be returned, or take place over ten days of the hearing.

Of doping in cycling hacking

The investigation that led to the indictment of EDF to a computer hacking Greenpeace's original appearance in a case removed: doping the American cyclist Floyd Landis, winner – decommissioned – the Tour de France 2006. On 14 September 2006, the department's National Laboratory for Doping Detection (LNDD) of Chatenay-Malabry discovers an intrusion on one of its computers. The police investigation following the complaint of the laboratory establishes a chain of links – which passes by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency U.S. – between Arnie Baker, coach of the cyclist, and a certain Alain Quiros, hacker to its hours.Surrounding the yellow jersey doped sought to discredit the LNDD to strengthen his defense. Computer equipment seized from Alain Quiros, exiled in Morocco since the fall of 2006, will the investigators on the trail of other victims of the hacker. Among them, the association of small shareholders of Vivendi and Yannick Jadot, campaign director of Greenpeace.

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Aid to poor countries remains a priority

15th October

Fight against poverty, access to clean water, education, health … Target the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa while engaging more in North Africa. These are the priorities declined by the French development, according to the 2011 AFD Ifop barometer, conducted in July, against a background of "Arab spring". They are 63% to support the continuation of official development assistance (ODA), despite the crisis and the context of budget restrictions. 77% of them even consider that France should have its own policy in Europe.

Tax on financial transactions

Given that France is the third largest contributor to global. "ODA accounts for 10 billion euros, or nearly 10% of global ODA, while France weighs 5% of global GDP.And the 2012 budget will not be affected by lower public spending, "said Minister of Cooperation Henri de Raincourt. Welcoming the outcome of the investigation that "incites to put development at the heart of the international agenda," the minister said that the G20 Development to be held next Friday in Paris will be a first in this proceeding with three priorities: food security, infrastructure and innovative financing.

Paris has the support of Brazil and several European partners to push the proposed tax on financial transactions, despite the opposition displayed the Anglo-Saxon countries, the United States in mind. "It will take these countries explain to their publics at the same time they lower their ODA they refuse to find new financing.This is an ethical issue, "criticizes the French minister.

If aid is important to the French, they are only 55% find it effective. They are even more severe in the result on the reduction of poverty, the fight against global warming and support for economic growth. Overall 60% believe the French budget enough, young people, however, require a greater commitment.

Respondents also believe that aid should rely more on local actors: communities, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs and NGOs …. The transfer of skills and know-how is considered very important to avoid over-reliance of the States for assistance. Finally, like other years, they want more information on funded projects, their progress and results.

China discovers the cultural sponsorship

9th October

The Louvre is just a trial balloon. Haier, the giant Chinese electronics and appliances, a partner in the last Asian Film Festival in Deauville, is found now official sponsor of the exhibition "The Forbidden City in the Louvre," while the group Fosun, active in the steel industry, mining, property development, distribution and services, financed the catalog.

"This is the first time that we sponsor an event abroad. Traditionally Chinese companies involved in the financing of aid to natural disasters, earthquakes or floods. They argue that very few art events. But we made several acquisitions in Europe and you want to get closer, "says Jane Zhang, director of brand and strategy Fosun.

This, indeed, holds 9.5% of Club Mediterranean.It has also invested in a chain of jewelry and fashion accessories in Greece. Haier, meanwhile, set up last year, the seat of his European office in Paris. For one as for the other, cultural patronage that they are discovering can be a powerful tool to better integrate. But the payments remain a state secret.

Open the Forbidden City

As many as 350,000 Chinese visited the Louvre last year. The country is now the fifth largest foreign tourists to the museum, behind the United States, Brazil, Italy and Russia. So Wan Jie, head of Artron, specializing in printing, which was not 50 years, is very interested in the Young Patrons Circle of the Louvre.All they need to pay 2,000 euros per year if they are under 40 years beyond 5000 to be included, says Christophe Monin, head of development and sponsorship of the museum.

"The demand from wealthy individual to the corporate philanthropy is very strong in Asia, but their goal is to first do something for their country," says Nathalie Sauvanet, BNP Paribas. In its own way, Chen Dongsheng, president of Taikang Life Insurance, is a pioneer in China. He is a founding member of the China Social Entrepreneur Foundation and one of the best friends of the owner of Fosun, Guo Guangchang. He believes that "companies need to focus on modern culture."

It is also believed that Wang Yamin, deputy director of the Museum of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It does not hide it, the Louvre gives him ideas. The palace is full of treasures that can not hardly watch the public.They are crammed into the reserves of the City. If he succeeded in attracting Chinese businesses, it could more easily escape by appealing to the state. The tourists would stay longer when on the site. "The Forbidden City needs to develop cooperation with private companies," he pleads.

Christophe Monin, for whom "patronage is essential today," just waiting to help. But in the meantime, the Louvre would like to create a Chinese version of its multimedia guide … he hopes to be financed by entrepreneurs from the Middle Kingdom.

The Paris Bourse rebounded strongly

5th October

The Paris Bourse has regained some color. At least temporarily. The CAC 40 gained 4.33% to 2973.90 points in a little volume of trade expanded by about 3.3 billion euros. The day before, he had lost 2.61% and nearly 6% in the space of three days.

Moderated somewhat in early trading, the Paris market has accelerated the pace in the afternoon, reassured by the good performance of Wall Street. In session, the Dow Jones advanced 0.30% and the Nasdaq by 0.63%. The day before the New York Stock Exchange had hoisted the green flag in the home straight with any information that has filtered after the meeting of economic ministers of the European Union about a possible recapitalization of banks in Europe.The hypothesis was reinforced Wednesday when German Chancellor Angela Merkel ruled "justified" to recapitalize European banks in need, noting that his country was ready to do "if necessary".

Other European markets rose in unison. London was up 3.19%, Frankfurt was awarded 4.91%, Milan 3.94% and 4.03% Euro Stoxx 50.

Markets were also encouraged by the good employment figures in the United States. The firm ADP, which always reveals its figures a step ahead of the official statistics, said the U.S. private sector had created 91,000 jobs in September, about twice as anticipated by analysts.

But for most experts, this is a rebound "essentially technical" free business cards. In fact the concerns about the future of Greece are still present.Similarly, fears of slowing global growth or even recession are ever more brightly. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has painted a particularly grim situation. "A global recession in 2012 can not be excluded" admitted Antonio Borges, Director IMF Europe.

Dexia regaining ground

The announcement of the degradation of three notches on the note of Italy by the rating agency Moody's has however not really affected the morale of the operators. The news was widely anticipated by the market. September 20, its rival Standard & Poor's had also downgraded Italian.

Investors have indeed benefited from the falling value of certain financial and industrial stocks in recent days to engage in purchases with it. In Paris, Societe Generale has returned 8.65%, 9.89% Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas 8.5%.Even the Franco-Belgian Dexia threatened to dismantle and had fallen by over 22% the day before a section of the movement. The stock has recovered 1.49%. This is despite a particularly harsh note from Goldman Sachs with respect to the French banking sector.

The cyclical industry and the technology were also in great shape with Cap Gemini (14.18%, largest increase in CAC 40) Saint Gobain (+9.3%), Lafarge (8.72%) and Peugeot (8.60%).

Hot and cold blow on wages 2012

3rd October

"After three years of starvation wages, marked by wage freezes or increases in general very limited, 2012 could confirm the recovery that began this year," said Bruno Rocquemont, responsible for investigating compensation at Mercer France.

According to the survey (1) conducted by the consulting firm in human resources, business plan for most occupational categories increased by 3% (median) budget increase (collective and individual), against 2.5 % in 2011. The exceptions are the workers (+2.8%) and senior (2.9%). But in any case, it would exceed the average inflation of 1.7% in 2012 by the government.

End of the wage freeze

Two major trends. On the one hand an almost complete disappearance of the wage freeze, a measure widely implemented at the height of the crisis.However, 4% of companies plan to freeze the workers and managers.

In addition, the company forecasts reflected the "sacrosanct" rate increase of 3%, which was applied during the years before the crisis erupted instant payday loan.

In addition, both groups seem to be emerging. First, the majority, has given the 3% salary increase. A second, more prudent, considering between 2.1% and 2.5%.

The survey was conducted between March and mid-July, ie before the great economic and financial events of the summer (crisis in the euro area, downward revision in growth for 2011 and 2012, falling stock markets …), Mercer, again, questioned 142 of the 329 companies in its original sample.

"Eight out of ten believe that these events will bring them to scale back their budgets for salary review.This reduction could be 0.5 point fall. In contrast, companies planning to date, a wage freeze, are still a small minority, said Bruno Rocquemont. In this context, we have to closely follow the mandatory annual negotiations (NAO), which launched just been given in some societies and that will continue into March. "

(1) survey of 329 companies, mostly French subsidiaries of multinational corporations.

Asian stock markets still in the red

23rd September

Second straight session of significant decline in Asian stock markets. After diving the day before amid concerns about global growth, the main regional indices appear again in sharp decline: the Hang Seng Index of Hong Kong Stock Exchange falling 1.68% to 17,610.70 points, The CSI 300 Index of Shanghai from 1.17% to 2654.35 points, the Kospi index in Seoul 4.04% to 1727.72 points, the S & P / ASX 200 index in Sydney from 0.51% to 3944.50 points, the BSE Sensex 30 Index of Bombay from 0.88% to 16,217.80 points and the FTSE Singapore Straits Times Index 1.27% to 2686.11 points. Only the Nikkei in Tokyo Stock Exchange closed for the holiday, escape the downward spiral.

As in the previous session, and in the wake of Wall Street with the Dow Jones tumbled 3% Tuesday, investors are still concerned about the specter of a global recession.And, after the ads for the less pessimistic the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), which held that the U.S. economic recovery was "slow" and threatened by "high risk". She decided to restart the machine, sell by the end of June 2012 for $ 400 billion of treasury bills and to purchase for the same amount with a longer maturity. But the fact that it favors measures to monetary easing, a depressed market, which sees it as a sign of impotence.

The G20 is mobilized

In addition, doubts about the economic situation in China also weigh in the balance. Manufacturing activity in the country has deteriorated in September, reaching its lowest level in two months, according to preliminary PMI bank HSBC said on Thursday.PMI Purchasing Managers calculated by HSBC in September reached 49.4 against 49.9 in August, knowing that a figure below 50 means contraction.

However, in an attempt to break the deadlock, the first twenty economies in the world rally: they have promised to respond "strong and coordinated international" to the crisis. Central banks are particularly committed to providing "the necessary liquidity" to financial institutions.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro appears in small increase compared to the U.S. dollar: it rose on Friday morning from 0.42% to 1.351 dollar. Oil prices also went up in Asia as investors sensing bargains after the significant losses suffered by the crude in recent days.Within the scope of a tumble of more than $ 5 Thursday, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November clinching 53 cents in early electronic trading at 81.04 dollars, a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gained 71 cents to 106.20 dollars. "Oil rises due to bargain hunting and redemptions of coverage after several sessions of decline," said Ker Chung Yang, analyst at commodity Phillip Futures in Singapore.

Global growth worries Wall Street

22nd September

A new session promises to be eventful Thursday on Wall Street. In early trade, the Dow posted a loss of 2.70% at 10,869 points, the Nasdaq lost 2.72% to 2468 points and the S & P drops 2.71% to 1135 points.

Like European and Asian stock markets, Wall Street is not immune to the anxiety surrounding the health of the global economy. This pessimism has been going on yesterday and pessimistic of the U.S. central bank. The Fed has held that the U.S. economic recovery was "slow" and threatened by "high risk". The central bank, in this context, announced an operation to extend the maturity of the assets it holds up to 400 billion dollars by June 2012."You can interpret this decision as the Fed's will not to launch three quantitative easing (monetary easing to boost the U.S. economy, ed) immediately, says Arnaud Poutiers, executive vice president of IG Markets.

The general concern about global growth has been reinforced by concerns about the economic situation in China. Manufacturing activity in the country has deteriorated in September, reaching its lowest level in two months, according to preliminary PMI bank HSBC said on Thursday. PMI Purchasing Managers calculated by HSBC in September reached 49.4 against 49.9 in August, knowing that a figure below 50 means contraction.

In France, the growth of private sector activity in September fell to its lowest level since the beginning of the recovery in 2009, while in Germany, the composite PMI, which includes industry and services, has emerged to 50.8, its lowest level since July 2009 against 51.3 in August.

The U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner also said Thursday in Washington that the slow economic growth was a challenge "greater" than the debt and that the governments around the world should give priority to support growth .

On the issue of European debt disturbing fact, little progress.Greece has just announced yesterday it will launch new austerity measures to get the funding it needs Troika in October to avoid bankruptcy.

Bad news on employment front

The announcement of a rise in weekly jobless across the Atlantic is not reassuring. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 423,000 people registered as unemployed during the week of September 10 to 17. The consensus of analysts expected 420,000 new applications for unemployment benefits.

Other important indicators, such as managers' index index advanced sprix estate, are in the program.

In this context, oil prices plunged more than 5% Thursday to open in New York, returning to their lowest levels in a month.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery traded at 81.28 dollars, down 4.64 dollars (5.4%) compared to the previous day. On the currency markets, the euro continued to sink against the dollar: the euro back below the $ 1.35 dollar to 1.3462 (-0.82%).

Values ​​to follow

On the corporate side, Bank of America (-5.02% to 6.06 dollars), Wells Fargo (-2.02% to 23.23 dollars) and Citigroup (-4.47% to 24.38 dollars) should still suffer from the deterioration of their rating by Moody's. The agency that the state may fly to their rescue.

Fedex (-10.15% to 65.14 dollars) has reported an EPS according to the consensus of $ 1.46 in the first quarter, a turnover of 10.52 billion dollars.

United Technologies (-7.16% to 69.51 dollars) will buy the equipment manufacturer Goodrich Aviation (10.06% to 120.50 dollars) to $ 16.5 billion (12.2 billion euros) cash, a transaction that would be the largest acquisition of U.S. industrial giant in 10 years.

The CAC 40 opens to the balance, the outlook on the Fed

21st September

After finishing the day in the green yesterday, gaining 1.50% to 2984 points, the CAC 40 tackles the session close to balance, falling symbolically 0.04%% to 2982.86 points on Wednesday, pending an important decision of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). After a two-day meeting, the institution is expected to announce measures to support the U.S. economy. The wait seems high, especially since the day before, the International Monetary Fund has raised the specter of a recession in the world by launching "a strong call to action" at the announcement of its lower growth forecasts for the global economy. This should amount to 4% for both 2011 and for 2012, 0.5 points less than the 4.5% announced in April.However, "given the weakness in economic indicators, it is almost certain that the Fed will do something but it is difficult to know exactly what," noted economists from Capital Economics.

Investors should in all cases be cautious on the Old Continent, especially after the deterioration of the Italian sovereign debt on Tuesday, which must be added the absence of a clear response from the area in the euro area on the Greek crisis. The conference held the day before between the Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos and the heads of mission of the "troika" of the creditors of the country has still not been completed. Only "good progress has been made," the European Commission ruled in a statement. Yet it must release the next tranche of aid and vital in Athens 8 billion euros.The Greek authorities are pressed by their foreign creditors to accelerate the reduction of budgetary expenditures, while the other side, protesters denounced the daily ravages of austerity.

Brazil could help the euro area

In addition, the Greek daily Kathimerini Athens unveiled Tuesday would consider holding a referendum on the continuation of Greece in the euro area to strengthen its legitimacy in its management of the debt crisis. A bill prior to the referendum would be discussed in the coming days, the newspaper said, quoting unspecified sources.Athens, however, denied such a referendum.

While the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) had indicated last week the possibility of supporting the euro area by increasing their holdings of bonds, the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, confirmed this position at Barack Obama on Wednesday at a meeting in New York.

On the macroeconomic front, the United States, home resales for the month of August are expected in 16 hours as the weekly inventory of crude oil at 16.30.

In Britain, the public finance figures for August are expected.

In Italy, the current account balance for the month of July will be published.

In Japan, foreign trade figures for August will also be unveiled.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro remained stable against the dollar Wednesday after Greece has reported "satisfactory progress" with the troika of creditors, but the markets remained nervous awaiting the announcements of the Fed . Around 8 am, the European currency was worth 1.3703 dollars against 1.3702 dollars the night before.

As for oil, it was down Wednesday morning in a market desperate to face the crisis of debt in the euro area, pending a decision by the Fed to promote economic recovery of the largest consumer of crude in the world.In early electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for October delivery gave up 53 cents to 86.38 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery lost 37 cents to 110.17 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

• Banking

After the degradation of Italian sovereign debt, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas, which are exposed, will still be observed.

Attention will also Dexia, which would have allowed for 25 billion euros in loans toxic entities in 5500, according to Liberation.The additional cost of these credits was estimated at 3.9 billion euros at the end of 2009.

• Bouygues

The group filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) the prospectus of the takeover of shares of € 1.25 billion announced on August 31, at 30 euros per share.

• Saffron

The aerospace equipment mandated banks Mediobanca and UBS to bid for the Italian manufacturer of aircraft engines Avio, reports the newspaper front page.

• Canal +

The Competition Authority decided Wednesday to withdraw the decision to authorize the merger of satellite packages CanalSat and TPS, completed in 2007, finding that Canal Plus had "failed to comply with a number of commitments" made to avoid misuse its dominant position.Groupe Canal Plus also sees a fine of 30 million euros.

• JCDecaux

According to Les Echos, the group won an exclusive contract advertising on two subway lines in Chongqing in China for a period of 15 years, but did not disclose financial details.

• Le Noble Age

The company announced in a press up all its results in the 1st half (34% to 3.68 million euros for the net) and confirmed the increase in its forecast of EBITDAR margin ( Operating income before depreciation, amortization and rent) at cruising speed greater than 27% by year end.

For the IMF, the savings are in a "vicious circle"

16th September

Christine Lagarde sounded the call to order. The Director of the International Monetary Fund, speaking on Thursday, a week before a meeting of its 187 Member States in Washington, has directly addressed to world leaders that "procrastination" and "policy failures" resulting , led to the establishment of a "vicious circle" that affects all economies.

The director of the institution states that "the weak growth and fragile balance sheets, those States, financial institutions and households, reinforce one another, fueling the crisis of confidence and slow demand, investment and job creation. " For Christine Lagarde, "there is too much debt in the system.The uncertainties in the States in all advanced economies, the banks in Europe and on households in the United States. "

To "common front"

Since this vicious circle "is gaining momentum," the IMF said that "the time is not the withdrawal, to halftone or palliative No teletrack payday loans." One solution can work: the "common front". More alarming than ever, Christine Lagarde warned that "if the developed countries fall into recession, emerging markets will not be spared. In fact nobody will. "

Wednesday already, Christine Lagarde called for the establishment of a "collective action, immediate and bold." She asked especially to countries that have the fiscal space to support growth. "My role is to ensure that this call to action is heard. I can not believe that governments do not share my opinion, "she explained.He added that "countries have an incentive to act collectively in the interest of the economy."

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