World and National News

Alain Minc is an essayist and near the head of state.

LE FIGARO – The government Wednesday presented a series of measures to reduce the deficit. Austerity, winning all countries, no risk does not reduce growth?

Alain Minc – No, because we are in a new paradigm. The French were the first more concerned with issues of debt through employment. With the power budget, we can rebuild the confidence of economic agents: households are encouraged to thaw out their savings and consumption, business investment. It is manufactured and growth. Submit a budget that would encourage lax instead to save more and thus consume less.The triptych in a world crushed by the weight of the markets is, under budget, trust, growth.

What steps should be taken virtuous?

Personally, I hope a large extent: the 27 EU countries simultaneously increasing their two-point VAT rate. It would be readily absorbed and deficits would be reduced immediately. But it's not for today. Apart from that, we need to focus on controlling government spending. There is still some leeway in this area. But that will not help if we do not address local government spending. It will also examine the non-controlled welfare state, in other words, take action politically and technically difficult to better control health expenditure.This last point requires a long process.

How?

The government is against the wall on its forecast deficit of 4.6% of GDP in 2012, and will do anything to achieve it. But with regard to the defense of the AAA, it was France as a whole is forced to cope. This note is a "national treasure" co-owned by all the French. You need to have well aware that nine months of the presidential elections, the statements of the two main governing parties in France, right and left, are scrutinized by credit rating agencies. The left would be as responsible as the right to lower the note in the coming months if she is economically unsuitable proposals during the campaign.

But the "golden rule" will not be passed.

No, because the Socialist Party opposes it.It is very unfortunate: it is important to give the Constitutional Council the power to censor a budget law does not respect their commitments. The Socialists had better vote to commit to the "golden rule" by requiring counterparties to the government. This would have given them a "chastity belt" in case they win the election.

Are you in favor of a tax on high salaries?

There is a problem obviously symbolic. It is of course legitimate, in the present context, it takes effort – exceptional – the rich. This should take the path of a direct tax levied on high income of around 0.5% above 150,000 euros, rising to 4 or 5% over one million euros for example.But beyond a fiscal contribution, I regret that senior executives have increased their earnings in recent years and today signed manifestos calling for a higher taxation of high income! Their real responsibility is not to engage in excesses of the social contract of their own business. Also, I think we need to align the taxation of capital on that work payday loan lenders. It is not normal for the first shows a gap of 16% with the second (PIT + CSG).

The debt crisis in Europe is cause for concern?

Yes, more worrisome than the upheavals stock as a debt crisis can block overnight access to a State for financial markets and freezing its banking system. However, the ECB has a tool box to avoid it. By the way, we must remember that we are facing a debt crisis, not a euro crisis.I do not know what the crisis of an overvalued currency by 20%, as is the euro against the dollar. Objectively, fears about the financial strength of big countries (Italy, Spain) in the euro area do not make sense.

Yet fears about their health are strong cyclical.

Spasms current will of course impact on growth. Everything will depend on the duration of shocks and jolts coming. This impact could be on the order of 1% of global GDP. That said, we are in a situation radically different from the 2009 recession. You can not compare the balance sheets of banks in September 2008 to today, undoubtedly the best. Three years ago, they were packed with toxic assets.Today, traders are concerned to see them hold treasury Italian! You have to be stupid to believe that the right of a State such as Italy, able to tax a very large domestic savings, are as dangerous as subprime. Italy will never default because if Italy jumps, Germany, which is one of its major suppliers, and jumps as the global economy collapses. This will not take place.

Banks, especially French, you seem so strong enough to weather the storm?

Of course. The markets speculate on Societe Generale, thinking she might suffer from a default of Italy or Spain.But if these two countries are lacking, all banks in the world will fail: it would be blind to believe that a single major bank like Societe Generale, can fall without all its competitors plunge with it! That's why the world will never let down Italy and Spain. By the way, I do not understand the attitude of major European banks, which in times of crisis cut their credit lines to their colleagues believed to be the most fragile. The banks are all connected to each other and should instead show their solidarity.

Rating agencies are they guilty of the current situation?

The big banks and investors are primarily responsible for the weight gained by the three major rating agencies in the world.These financial institutions, for reasons of economy, have removed their analytical services, de facto subcontractor that activity for credit rating agencies. Basically, the only real complaint that can be sent to these agencies is that they do not know the note states – who do not notice as a business. Judge the soundness of a country requires a great culture of the local economic history. For example, the agencies never take into account the weight of the informal economy. But in a country like Italy for example, this economy is from 25 to 30% of GDP, which changes considerably the situation in terms of credit analysis. As the United States, they are the backbone of the global financial system. As such, they are above any notes!

The transport budget should lighten motorists this week. While the oil price was down since the beginning of August because of fears for global growth, the Minister Eric Besson industry asked Wednesday to distribution professionals to pass on this trend prices at the pump before the weekend of August 15, traditionally busy on the road. "The French will benefit from several cents lower per liter," ruled the Minister in a statement.

Concerns about debt deemed excessive in the euro area and especially the deterioration of the U.S. debt rating by the rating agency Standard & Poor's have indeed been falling sharply since oil prices last week. Wednesday, a barrel of Brent North Sea still traded at around $ 105 a barrel."Oil has fallen by about $ 10 a barrel for about eight days, conceded earlier this week Jean-Louis Schilansky, president of the French Union of Petroleum Industries (Ufip). Under these conditions, unless crude goes up, there are four to five cents a liter, which is expected to decline "

The magnitude and the time needed to complete the impact of this decline, however, are subject to different interpretations. While Ufip evokes a fall in prices "gradually over the next ten to twelve days," the general delegate of the Union of independent petroleum importers, which includes stations such as Carrefour, Auchan and Casino, for its expected "down from 10 to 15 cents" for these stations retail, "before the end of the week."

The price of a liter of diesel, the fuel most consumed medium currency is 1.335 euros per liter last week, according to the Ministry of Sustainable Development, 1.337 against the euro last week of July.

All weekend, they multiplied the meetings and news: the political leaders of industrialized countries have mobilized to show that they had taken stock of efforts to engage to address concerns about the state of their finances. What to try to reassure markets, worried after the announcement Friday after the close of a deterioration in the rating of sovereign debt of the United States by Standard & Poor's, but also disturbed by the difficulties faced by countries the euro area to implement the solutions to the crisis in Greece. With always in sight the risk of contagion of debt to other countries.

In the wake of the Asian stock markets, down sharply this morning, the benchmark index in Paris has started his week on a further decline (-0.74%), but avoid the stock market crash feared its markets.After a brief stint in the green, but he digs his losses at midday, yielding 1.53% at midday, to 3228.29 points. Certainly, markets have heard statements of intent to both sides of the Atlantic, the austerity measures to consolidate public finances in industrialized countries. Nevertheless, the nervousness and volatility are the watchwords of the meeting. Evidenced by the yo-yo in the Paris index since the beginning and the very high trading volumes of 3.3 billion euros, three hours after opening.

Yesterday, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated their determination to ensure that the bailout of Greece on 21 July be adopted before the end of September. They also praised the efforts of Spain and especially those of Italy, two weak links in the euro area at present.Indeed, Rome has advanced by one year (from 2014 to 2013) the goal of return to balance its accounts. In addition, the European Central Bank (ECB) said it would implement "active" its buyback program obligations. This measure, taken and announced last week by Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the institution, had absolutely convinced investors. On the contrary …

Relaxation rates in Spain and Italy

This does not seem to be the case this morning. The ECB did not specify to which countries would focus the bond buyback program, but rates in ten years Spanish and Italian relaxed strongly on Monday in the bond market, passing under 6%.Relaxation is expected to continue, while the French Minister of Economy and Finance has confirmed Baroin on Europe 1 that the ECB was ready to buy the Spanish and European debt, if investors withdrew.

Elsewhere in Europe, the trend is more positive than the stock market crash feared by investors. In Frankfurt, the Dax, however, declined 2.24% to 6096.62 points. Less for London where the FTSE 100 lost 1.50% to 5168.33 points. In Madrid, the Ibex 35 index 0.38% wins at noon, at 8704 points. Finally, Milan were down 0.55% to 15,928, 49 points.

Next on the list?

However, uncertainty should remain in force on the European markets at the beginning of the week. The decision of Standard & Poor's in the United States continues to claim haunt the minds of the markets, despite a weekend to "digest" the news.Now that the world's largest economy, long considered one of the most reliable borrowers, is not as well marked, which could consider itself safe from degradation? In France, this concern should be limited, however, the chief economist for Europe, Standard & Poor's Jean-Michel Six, who said Saturday that the agency maintained the "AAA" of France, in a stable outlook payday loan.

Before testing the first effects on the markets of this political mobilization, the announcement of the ECB on repurchase of bonds has already led to support the euro against the dollar. At 7 o'clock this morning, the euro was worth 1.4321 dollars, against 1.4281 dollars on Friday night, after the dollar rose to 1.4370 on Sunday night.But above all concerns macroeconomic benefit to gold, which recorded a new record Monday on the market in Hong Kong, dying for the first time the maximum 1700 dollars an ounce, and benefiting fully from his safe haven status.

The sharp drop in oil

Instead, the side of the oil, oil prices continued to tumble on Monday. Result of numerous concerns about a possible global recession, prices show a sharp decline. In morning trading in Asia, a barrel of "light sweet crude" lost 2.59 dollars to 84.29 dollars, while that of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery fell by 2.48 dollars to 106.89 dollars.

Finally, the political mobilization should remain in force throughout the day, and guide the trend in European markets as U.S.. For the side of the macroeconomic data, the news will remain low in the first day of the week.Unlike last week, no statistics across the Atlantic will not give further details Monday about the health of the U.S. economy or the risk of a possible recession in the country. In France alone were expected business surveys of the Banque de France, unveiled on Monday its growth forecast for the third quarter. For the period, the institution expects an increase of 0.2% of French GDP, the same pace as in the previous quarter.

As for values ​​to follow, business publications are scarce this week.

Battered last week after interim results affected by exposure in Greece, banking stocks offered a nice rally this morning and take the lead increases the Cac 40.BNP Paribas (5.47% to 42.83 euros), followed closely by Credit Agricole (+ 5.01% to 7.51 euros) and Societe Generale (4.83% to 28.76 euros). For its part, Axa wins 3.81%, to 11.99 euros. The entire financial sector benefits from the relief this morning, the insurer CNP Assurances taking his side 3.91%, to 12.37 euros. Outside the CAC 40, ahead of Dexia 5.26% to 1.7 euro.

The manufacturer Archos tablet that will detail its annual accounts after market, has already won 4.77% to 8.35 euros.

Carmat (12.80% to 105.47 euros). The total artificial heart specialist said on Sunday evening the success of its capital increase launched from July 13 to 29. The former subsidiary of EADS has raised 29.3 million euros, which will fund the first clinical trials on humans.

GDF Suez (2.74% to 20.97 euros).The group of energy and services has sealed, according to Les Echos, a strategic Partenaris with the Chinese sovereign wealth fund CIC, which would lead to an acquisition of a 30% interest in the exploration and production arm of French.

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The financial strength seems clear on the business side rather than states. Illustration of the disastrous state of American finances, the new number one smartphone, Apple has nearly $ 76 billion in cash and U.S. 73 billion. This represents what the world's largest economy may still spend before reaching the limit of the debt secured by the U.S. Congress (14.294 billion U.S. dollars).

Apple has just completed a record quarter with increases of 125% in profit and 82% of its revenues.With a market capitalization of $ 362 billion, the group "at the apple" appears as the second wealthiest company in the world stock market behind Exxon Mobil and its 395 billion market capitalization.

While Republicans and Democrats are torn in several weeks on the issue of debt, U.S. companies their bets. "One reason why companies put so much money aside is that they want to shelter financially cope with financial uncertainties in the U.S.," said Laurie Simon Hodrick, professor at Columbia University . He added: "As long as the threat of default by the U.S. government continues, U.S. companies will have to pay any interest that way." The war chest of U.S. companies is estimated at 1.2 trillion dollars.

François Hollande line breaks with the Socialist Party in the reduction of debt. The Socialist candidate for the primary aims to reduce "from 2013" the public deficit to 3%, one year before the date fixed in the official program of the Socialist Party, he said in an interview in Le Monde. It aligns well on the commitment of the Fillon government towards its European partners.

"We must rebalance our public accounts of 2013," that is to say, that date back to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP), he said. "We can not let stand the public debt at the risk of the burden of our interests in the country's first budget, which alters our room for maneuver, he said. Debt is the enemy of the left and France. "The Socialist Party has set its program a path of debt reduction more slowly, with a deficit to 3% of GDP in 2014 alone.

François Hollande joins the current objectives of Bercy. The Ministry of Finance shall reduce the deficit to 6% at end 2011 to 4.6% in late 2012 to late 2013 and 3% to 2% in late 2014. With such a policy, public debt would start to decline, according to the Government in 2013. All with a 2% growth in 2011 and 2.5% in subsequent years (the latter assumption being as optimistic by many economists).

Baroin criticizes PS

The statement by the Socialist candidate for the primary came as the euro area, particularly the Italian debt has again been targeted by the markets this week. France is so far immune to the shocks, welcomed the Minister of Economy Baroin in an interview with Le Figaro Magazine published on Saturday.The new host has de Bercy on the other hand showed severe with the socialist project: "It is irresponsible with regard to the preservation of our growth to provide a fiscal impact of an increase of 50 billion euros of taxes."

François Hollande asserts that tax reform will be his first, especially via the same scale for labor income and capital, a merger of the income tax and the CSG and the elimination of tax loopholes. "The candidate who announces that there will be no extra effort beyond 2012 will be a president who perjure themselves," he said. He also reiterated that he wanted to return to retirement at age 60 and he would vote against the golden rule, which aims to set a limit to the deficit in the constitution.

The rating agency Fitch has warned France in late May: the reforms undertaken in recent years, such as pensions, "have improved the outlook for public finances." But "further efforts will be needed to reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP in 2013, as agreed," she adds. In addition, it would be welcome, according to Fitch, that Paris set in the constitution the principle of balance of public finances and reduce its "structural rigidities".

Holland criticized the European delay

The candidate Holland is very critical of the strategies of Paris and Berlin in the rescue of the euro area. "France and Germany are missing," he Assen."Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel bear a heavy responsibility in the divorce of the Franco-German because the euro zone can only work if there is a total concordance of views between the two countries that represent over 40% of its economic power. "

France and Germany are divided on how to share the burden of the second aid package to Greece with the banking sector. Which blocks the negotiations and feeds the nervous markets. A crisis meeting to be held on Thursday between the finance ministers of the euro area. But the plan should be finally adopted in September, at the next summit between the Heads of State and Government in Europe.

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The U.S. stock markets move sharply lower on Monday. The Dow Jones lost 0.84% ​​to 12,551.25 points, the Nasdaq 1.02% to 2830.66 loose points and the S & P 500 drops 1.08% to 1329.34 points. On Friday, the New York Stock Exchange ended down, undermined by employment figures disappointing compared with analysts' expectations.

Hiring remained stalled for the second straight month the U.S. in June, with only 18,000 net new jobs and the unemployment rate rose to 9.2% of the workforce.

Alcoa opens the ball in quarterly results

The trend, however, should be fragile before the beginning of the season half-year results. As usual it is Alcoa (-2.32% to $ 16) which will open the show of quarterly, as soon after the close of Wall Street Monday.JPMorgan Chase will be the first major U.S. banks to issue, with results expected Thursday, the same day as Google, which will set the tone for the technology. Investors will know very quickly if the U.S. financial sector has suffered from the decline in trading activities. These results also give a taste of the figures will be announced later by European banks.

According to Thomson Reuters data, the results of listed companies on the S & P 500 should show an average increase of 7.3% compared to second quarter 2010. But this increase could be higher if a majority of companies beat the consensus.

The euro dropped to $ 1.40

On the foreign exchange market, the euro was digging its losses against the greenback on Monday.Mid-afternoon in Paris, the single European currency was worth 1.4050 dollars against 1.4258 dollars on Friday night, falling to levels seen for two weeks.

On the macroeconomic front, the United States, negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over raising the debt ceiling is again blocked, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican John Boehner, who announced that he would not find a comprehensive agreement with the White House.

In the process, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner gave assurances that the U.S. would not default on their financial commitments, while Barack Obama announced he would hold a press conference Monday at the White House bad credit pay day loans.

In Europe, the eyes of investors looked to a meeting of key economic officials of the European Union in Brussels on Monday morning to "coordinate their positions" on the second aid package to Greece. It will bring together the presidents of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker, European Central Bank (ECB) Jean-Claude Trichet, the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn.

Airbus hopes to double Boieng on an order from American Airlines

The side of values, Airbus hopes to win against Boeing (-1% to 74.32 dollars) a major order from American Airlines by offering $ 6 billion (4.24 billion euros) of preferential financing, reported on Monday The Wall Street Journal.

Always on the side of values, Sanofi (2.49% to 80.35 dollars) today announced positive results in a phase III study for Lemtrada, a drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis developed by Genzyme's new subsidiary. Sanofi put his hand in April on U.S. biotech Genzyme for more than 20 billion. In addition, Sanofi said on Monday the sale of its Canadian dermatology Dermik to Valeant for $ 425 million (300 million) in cash, in order to focus on priority activities in the United States and Canada.

In the same area, the Swiss company Lonza, specializing in life sciences, announced Monday the acquisition of the U.S. Arch Chemicals (11.24% to 46.91 dollars), a company active in biocides.The cash offer to 47.20 dollars per share values ​​the company at $ 1.4 billion, which represents a premium of 36.7% over the share price on the last thirty days.

In addition, the U.S. aerospace equipment Precision Castparts Corporation (0.79% to 164.07 dollars) will strengthen the sector by buying aero Primus International Society for $ 900 million in cash.

Also note, the Financial Times, the fund Blackstone (-3.12% to 16.48 dollars) sold its shares in the Chinese Dili Group, while the group would not be able to freely adjust its prices .

Lefigaro.fr – In one month, the CAC 40 has canceled the gains it had recorded since the beginning of the year. What to expect in the second half?

Frederic Buzare – It is not impossible that we reliving the 2008 scenario, with high inflation combined with economic downturn and rising commodity prices (in 2008, the Cac 40 lost 42% passing from 5550 to 3217 points). However, we maintain our scenario where we are in a slowdown of mid-cycle resulting in a temporary decline in growth. European stocks have built this movement. The outlook is therefore attractive.Today, it is difficult to find an alternative to shares.

Real estate is not a more attractive investment than stocks?

The French should stop investing in real estate and to believe that the market will continue to rise. In addition, real yields on government bonds is negative. The first half was very volatile. Equity markets need time to digest all the shocks it has suffered (revolutions Arab nuclear disaster in Japan, European debt crisis) and find new solid foundation.

The gap between corporate profits that are growing and wages of individuals who retreat is not likely to deter individuals to invest in stocks?

The problem is not corporate profits but the effectiveness of economic policies implemented by states.Investors did not trust the government, the risk premium is very high. To decrease, stable and sustainable growth is essential. To do this, companies need to reinvest. They can afford given the profits they have generated low interest personal loan. Profits can be a problem if next wages are not progressing. Paradoxically, the revival of the shares will doubtless involve a redistribution of wealth and the sustainability of the recovery by the consumer's creditworthiness.

If they were to return to action, what choices investors should they operate?

Investors must choose between cyclical and defensive stocks. Defenses are cheap but do not have a positive trend in terms of benefits, and cyclical stocks have good prospects but are very expensive.In this context, we focus on emerging markets, emerged much stronger from the crisis and should continue to grow. However, we recommend caution. Actions related to raw materials sector will benefit from global demand for oil still widely supported by China. Finally, the growth stocks offer the best profile in terms of risk and return in a context of low economic activity characterized by a lack of visibility. Among the values ​​that we appreciate, I would cite as Safran and Danone Vinci and innovative companies in the growth of dividends.

What is your position on the banking sector?

We are neutral and prefer retail banks such as BNP Paribas investment banks.

Last December, you anticipated a Cac 40-4700 points by the end of 2011.Your prediction is it still relevant?

The Cac 40 is likely to have difficulty in reaching the 4700 points at the end of the year. We see still finish to 4500 points.

The occurrence in extremis of a third candidate could thwart the ambitions of Christine Lagarde and Mexican Agustin Carstens, until that night still only competitors to head the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Governor of the Central Bank of Israel, Stanley Fischer, was a surprise Saturday night by making public his candidacy at the last minute, just before the deadline. While the economy minister was previously considered the favorite to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn's candidacy Israel could reshuffle the cards in the game

World-renowned economist, Stanley Fischer had been a time favors the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and Euromoney. The Isrélien, whose CV is like a flawless, no stranger to the IMF.Former vice president and chief economist of the World Bank until 1990, he served as deputy director of the IMF from 1994 to 2001. University, he was also the thesis of Olivier Blanchard, the current Chief Economist of the Fund, during its years of teaching at MIT. After several years in the private sector, during which he served as deputy director of Citigroup and president of International Citigoup, he was appointed and then renewed in March at the head of the Israeli central bank.

At age 67, age is a weak point

The good health of the Israeli economy, which has weathered the crisis virtually unhindered, could also play in his favor. With growth of 4.7% in 2010 and forecasts growth for 2011 of around 5.4% according to the OECD, Israel recorded the best economic performance since its inception in 1948.The fruit, as recently explained the Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz of the Figaro, heterodox economic policy implemented in this country since 2008. Unlike most Western countries, Israel has chosen to raise the VAT while pointing the recession, while pledging to cut taxes in 2017.

"We invested all our energy and our money to provide reassuring outlook for consumers and businesses. Because if you aggravate fiscal deficits in order to preserve the current situation, nobody wants to invest because of lack of confidence in an economy unable to balance its accounts, "explained Yuval Steinitz last week with Le Figaro. A strategy that could fly as Europe struggles to cope with the excessive debt of some of its members.

The nomination of Stanley Fischer, however, suffers from a double reef.His dual nationality Israeli-American could play against him, insofar as director of the IMF is traditionally awarded to a European. Another weak point: his age. At 67, Stanley Fischer is two years age limit for applying to head the IMF. The Indian economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia, 68, had already had to throw in the towel at the end of last month.

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Measures deemed insufficient. Farmers are almost unanimous in the result of measures announced by the Head of State yesterday in the Charente, including the provision of advances on compensation, exemptions from social contributions and deferred debt.

The President of the Republic "leaves farmers in their thirst," said a statement from Rural Coordination. "The agonizing question of farmers, as how to buy the additional food needed to feed a proper straw-based (for livestock), does not seem to touch the mind of Nicolas Sarkozy," regrets the union. Rural Coordination also reiterated his request for "make available the farmers two million tonnes of cereals in 2011 is intended to produce biofuel."

Another minority union, the Confederation Paysanne, made the same request, and indicates in its brief statement that the announcements made by the president are "insufficient". The union is also seeking the postponement of one year of all maturities of borrowings (2011 paid in 2012 and 2012 paid in 2013) and "zero-interest loans offered by all banks to farmers to aid payments Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) October 15, 2011.

FNSEA satisfied, but relativized

FNSEA, the main farmers' union, is the only one to be satisfied with the measures announced by Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday, saying that the Head of State "became aware of the situation" of farmers and its urgency. Its president, Xavier Beulin, welcomed the "emergency response" proposed.He also welcomed the establishment of a five-year plan to create water reservoirs and reduced volumes of water used by agriculture.

However, the president of the FNSEA expects the figures for the consequences of drought, which should be known in early September. He estimates it will then probably look at more structural measures, and direct payments to certain farms.

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AREVA will be able to breathe. His former ally Siemens will pay him $ 648 million plus interest by a fortnight, following the breakdown of an agreement between the two groups. Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has in effect made public last night the penalty imposed by the German group for a case that began in March 2009.

Two years ago, Siemens has decided to withdraw from their joint venture Areva NP owned 34%, after failing to take a larger share. The German group did not then expected to reach an agreement with Areva output to form a new alliance with Russia's Rosatom nuclear.

Siemens has thus not met the terms of predetermined separation between the two groups. The French decided to launch an arbitration against Siemens, liable to a penalty of 40% of the value of the shareholding of Areva NP.

The ITC has agreed with Areva and Siemens believes that has broken the pact of shareholders. The German group scoop the maximum penalty, a penalty of 40% of the value of its stake in Areva NP. The 34% share capital of Siemens Areva NP was valued 1.6 billion euros in March, when Areva took over Siemens' share in Areva NP.

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