World and National News

Opening in fall of 0.25% at 10,015 points, the Dow Jones continues on the downward slope. The 10,000 points are close, while Monday and Tuesday, the index has already fallen sharply.

On Wednesday, new orders for durable goods in the U.S. rose 0.3%, much lower than expected in July, and after two consecutive months of declines. A further blow, when an increase of 2.8% was expected, especially by public transport, with the Farnborough Airshow (47 billion dollars in one week).

Fears of a slowdown in economic activity grows with each new bad news in that order. Just yesterday, sales of existing homes fell more than 27%, which has shaken global stock markets.And U.S. growth should be revised down sharply on Friday.

The technology followed

As for values, technology, which derive from several days down the coast, remain controlled. Especially since they are also often at the heart of big mergers and acquisitions.

The investors thus have an eye on Cisco (-0.9% to 20.93 dollars) and Dell (0.73% to 11.67 dollars), penalized by expectations of raising its bid for 3PAR (-1 , 07% to $ 26.75).The maker of data storage systems has announced on Tuesday he gave three days at computer maker Dell to revise upwards its bid after bid "probably higher" Hewlett-Packard ( HP, 0.37% to 38.53 dollars).

The saga of the hostile takeover of mining giant BHP Billiton (-1.12% to 64.69 dollars) – which today presents its annual results, with net profit more than doubled in 2009/10 to 12.72 billion dollars – the king of fertilizers Potash (-1.42% to 146.99 dollars), seeking a white knight, bounces. The U.S. stock regulator, the SEC said on Tuesday the freezing of financial assets of two Spanish, one part of Banco Santander, on accusations of insider trading in the attempted takeover of Canadian fertilizer producer Potash mining group BHP Billiton.

On the occasion of the presentation of its accounts, however, BHP Billiton is used to calm speculation the event of any significant raising its hostile bid of 39 billion dollars (30 billion euros) Potash fertilizer leading manufacturer in the world, despite the magnitude of his war chest.

The U.S. computer giant Apple (-0.15% to 238.58 dollars) is close to a deal with Disney media groups (-0.5% to U.S. $ 31.98) and News Corp., parent of chains Television, Fox to offer their series to rent on iTunes, said Tuesday the New York Times.

Campbell, world number one soup, advances in its acquisition of Britain's United Biscuits, and more specifically, its branch Biscuits, which represents three-quarters of its business.

The report Roussely, devoted to the layout of the French nuclear industry, was discussed at midday in the context of a council of the nuclear policy statutorily chaired by the Head of State.

Written in a mission entrusted to the former President of EDF, this report was sent to Nicolas Sarkozy last May, before being classified "top secret" in the name of protecting a number sensitive data.

Eagerly anticipated by the industry, it delivers several lessons particularly interesting. Like this recommendation to create a Department of Energy. Meanwhile, the role of EDF as team leader of France's nuclear part of an international development – is clearly stated no fax cash advance.

However, this leadership role of the electrician is first and foremost, reserved for countries new entrants into the nuclear. The report also states that Roussely relationship between EDF and Areva must be much more successful. In other words, the strategic partnership between the two companies are held without being recorded numerous clashes. Finally, it is not any conclusion of this report, the GDF-Suez will become a nuclear operator of reference in France is totally ignored. In short, EDF retains all hands on this sector.

The CAC 40 is left substantially in the red half an hour after the opening of Wall Street. After opening on a note hesitant index in Paris gained 0.77% to 3609.53 points. but the announcement of disappointing results that are mixed and macroeconomic statistics have undermined the morale of the few investors present that day in the markets. At 16 hours, ACC drops 2.5% to less than 3,500 points.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro is strengthening its progress against the dollar. Fears about the economic recovery in the U.S., more and more vivid, weigh on the dollar.At mid-session, the euro was worth 1.2971 dollars against 1.2941 dollars the previous day.

On the macroeconomic front, consumer prices in the U.S. declined for the third consecutive month in June because of falling energy prices, official figures released Friday showing that inflation remains contained in a context of stagnating domestic demand. The index of consumer prices adjusted for seasonal variations show a decrease of 0.1%. Economists and analysts polled by Reuters had expected a price stability after a decline of 0.2% in May

The morale of U.S. households has deteriorated in July fell to its lowest level in 11 months because of fears about the economy, according to preliminary results from the monthly survey Thomson Reuters-University of Michigan.The index of consumer sentiment stood at 66.5 against 76 in June and 74.5 expected by economists to Reuters. The index measuring consumers' judgments on the current economic situation has emerged to 75.5, its lowest level since November 2009, against 84 expected and 85.6 last month.

The banking and automobiles in the spotlight

After the adoption Thursday of the reform on Wall Street and encouraging results from JP Morgan, the bank is well oriented on Friday: Societe Generale rose 0.49% to 38.02 euros and Credit Agricole was up 0.58 % to 9.34 dollars and BNP Paribas gained 0.62% to 49 euros.

The car values also outperform the CAC 40.They benefit from the announcement of Renault, with its Japanese partner Nissan will invest 300 million euros in the construction of a plant of Russian automaker Avtovaz order to produce together a small car from 2012, reported the Nikkei business daily. The Renault share gains 1.80% to 35.06 euros, bringing in its train rival Peugeot, which climbs as 2.26% to 24.24 euros payday loan lenders.

On a visit to Tokyo, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said France was "open" to the entry of Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the capital of the nuclear group Areva (-1.67% to 335.15 euros) .

Carrefour (-0.16% to 35.28 euros) published a quarterly revenue slightly exceeded expectations thanks to its positions in emerging countries and announced the signing of a new partnership in China.Over the period April to June, the group saw its turnover totaling 24.92 billion euros, up 6.3% over one year.

Seb (-0.10% to 58.5 euros) has announced an increase in sales in the first half due mainly to a favorable currency impact and good dynamic emerging countries. Its turnover grew by 13.1% at current exchange rates and 9.4% at constant exchange rates.

Lafarge (+0.33% at 41.31 euros) concluded Friday the sale of 11.2% of its business in Malaysia for a net total of 141 million euros in the divestment program initiated by the World number one cement.Following this, the group will remain the principal shareholder of LMCB with a 51% and will retain management of the business.

Axa to discuss its Asian subsidiary

Axa Asia Pacific (AAP) and its parent, Axa (1.35% to 13.55 euros), and National Australia Bank (NAB) to discuss extending the period of exclusive negotiations between the two parties. NAB hopes to acquire 100% of PAA and has proposed that $ 11.5 billion (9.13 billion euros).The Australian Competition Authority has so far opposed the transaction.

Pierre & Vacances (-3.45% to 53.7 euros) has warned that tourist bookings for the fourth quarter was marked by delay on the month of July, in the context of crisis, after essentially flat sales in the third quarter .

Stallergenes (3.83% to 57.10 euros) Thursday revised its annual targets upwards, after posting a 14% increase in turnover in the second quarter, owing mainly to increasing sales of its blockbuster drug the Oralair. Specializing in the treatment of allergies, has achieved a turnover of 47.3 million euros in the quarter and $ 110.6 million over the period (13%).

One publication of turnover is expected this Friday: Etam Development.

Optimism in the sky world. A few days before the opening of the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom, Boeing set the tone. The American manufacturer has announced on Thursday it had revised upwards its forecast of orders for new aircraft by 2029.

In a report released in London, Boeing presented its annual outlook 2010. "The global market is in much better shape than last year, but challenges remain," said Randy Tinseth, vice president for marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, the branch's civil aviation manufacturer.Capitalizing on global growth than expected, Boeing expects that "the air traffic registered an increase this year, both for passengers and freight," said Randy Tinseth.

In the long term, Boeing said a total of 30.900 anticipate orders to the horizon 2029, a figure up 6.5% compared to the forecast of 29,000 made last year. These new orders represent a total 3.6 trillion dollars (2.788 trillion euros). For Boeing, the demand will be sustained in particular by increasing the number of LCCs and Acceleration replacement by airlines for their aircraft models écononomes fuel. And of course, by the "economic recovery".

A recovery that will boost air traffic.According to Boeing, the world air traffic will increase by 5.3% per year by 2029, with the number of passengers carried increased 4.2% per year over this period.

The most prominent aisle

To meet this demand, Boeing is betting on the single-aisle aircraft segment, which will benefit from the appetite of companies to lower costs. This type of aircraft has become the face of long-haul for a decade, says the U.S. group's report. "The airlines will choose to offer more flights using aircraft with more efficient (in terms of fuel consumption, Ed), rather than managing fleets of aircraft much larger," says Boeing. Consequently, the market for large aircraft (type 747 and beyond, namely the Airbus A380's competitor) will account for only 720 units, totaling 220 billion dollars.

Finally, over the next two decades, Boeing sees the Asia-Pacific than in North America as the first global airline market. According to the manufacturer's calculations, the Asia-Pacific will account for 43% of global air traffic by 2029.

To further extend the Dreamliner?

In this horizon rather than a black cloud emerged, however: the delivery of first Boeing Dreamliner could be postponed until early next year while the U.S. aircraft maker said earlier this month that it would intervene in the fourth quarter 2010. If ever the first delivery was a new delayed, the delay from the original schedule – May 2008 – would exceed two and a half years.

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The words of François Fillon is rare. Very calculated. No frills. A fortiori, when the prime minister decides to hold a press conference at Matignon. The first three years. This means if the head of government who just beat the longevity record of Jean-Pierre Raffarin chose solemnize a media intervention to seventy minutes.

Following the success of union mobilization against the proposed pension reform, Francois Fillon has stepped into the breach. Only behind his desk, the man of the previous pension reform in 2003, has no trouble capturing the subject. For ten minutes he hammered a message: the government will not budge on key pension reform. Especially not the raising to 62 the legal age of retirement."There can be no question of going back to what is the foundation of reform," he warned while leaving open the possibility of adjustments in other components of the project. "With the President of the Republic, we do our duty," he said, denouncing the balance of Martine Aubry, who has never "nothing" done to reform pensions. The number two PS Harlem Désir immediately blasted an "end of inadmissibility to the French" and a "strategy of contempt.

Closes on pensions, Francois Fillon has become frankly martial when he addressed the issue of recovery of public accounts. In the absence of Nicolas Sarkozy went to Toronto for the G20 summit and before the announcement next week of budgetary decisions, the Prime Minister gave the tempo.If the word is always strictly taboo in his mouth, he has taken a further notch by preparing the French to "extra efforts".

From the beginning of the week the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde and Secretary General of the Elysee, Claude Gueant, have succeeded in the media to prepare minds for a new round of screws. Donning the costume of Raymond Barre Matignon in 1976 presenting his first austerity plan, Francois Fillon hammered. Drawing on the same register as his distant predecessor, it took time, "Do not expect me to be a weakness guilty.It is time to break the spiral of debt. "

Challenging the word rigor, Fillon has warned that there would be bad news: "If growth were to be slightly less buoyant than expected, we should not shrink from the need for additional efforts." For the first Minister (as Christine Lagarde) appears to be no illusions about the growth forecasts. Proof? He has already planned, "according to the situation," amplify the movement of the plane on the tax loopholes 5-8500000000 to offset the shortfall.

Christian Blanc must repay

This will be blood and tears. Francois Fillon, who was signed in 2006 a book entitled France can bear the truth, was not afraid to break the taboo Friday Sarkozyist of higher taxes: "We intend to eliminate or reduce many tax loopholes and social.So these are tax increases. "This time, it said.

Incidentally, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to prepare his ministers to painful measures. Severus, he recognized the "shortcomings and failures" without mentioning explicitly the cases involving members of his government (Christian Estrosi, Alain Joyandet, Rama Yade, Fadela Amara and especially Christian White). He admitted that there was "still room for improvement" to the ministers to show "exemplary".Francois Fillon, who has asked his Secretary of State Christian Blanc to repay their bill of 12,000 euros cigars, will announce "in the coming days," a "hardening" of the rules relating to accommodation, travel and lifestyle of Ministers.

Anyone who continues to dream of the "perfect lens" of a government limited to fifteen ministers expected already to be ruthless about limiting the number of ministerial advisors. A good way to rhyme "exemplary" and reducing government spending.

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At almost exactly the meeting between Eric Woerth and civil service unions on Friday morning, turned to dialogue as Marchais Duhamel: "Maybe it was not your question, my answer is yes, but …" The Representatives of the eight federations have asked the public to appropriate Minister if the increase of 0.5% of the index, promised two years ago by the same Eric Woerth, would take place on 1 July. It has not responded, sticking to the planned agenda – a review of the changing purchasing power of workers over the past year.Unions have all left the meeting, half an hour after its opening.

The Minister of Labour and Public Service has, in fact, provided that the arbitration were not made, ironically on the fact that it seemed "much more difficult to reach agreement between the government trade unions" … He returned the answer to your next appointment, which could take place Tuesday morning.

A lesser evil

A few minutes later, however, at Matignon, the prime minister seemed to reassure staff: "This commitment is not undermined," said Francois Fillon.A way of saying that a freeze point clue is the lesser evil … Then the purchasing power of civil servants grew by 3.6% the previous year, taking into account the effects of seniority , promotions or revaluations granted to certain categories of staff. An old debate: the unions, they do take into account that the index points in their calculations, because it benefits all agents.

These unions – united for the first time in years – in any case have expressed their displeasure at the end of the meeting Friday. "The minister has stirred every red rag" has annoyed Elizabeth David (UNSA).

Who would have thought? Germany and France have finally decided to combine their efforts to support the euro. Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel have they understood it was time to coordinate their efforts to support a currency previously sealed by the distrust of markets? Since the famous rumor reports of market intervention by the European Central Bank on foreign exchange markets to support the euro, the single currency has a significant revival. After touching a low of less than a 22 dollar late Tuesday, the euro was close to the $ 1.25 to 19:50.A good time to announce this coordination.

Visit Brussels on May 21

"They agreed that Germany and France will work in close coordination with each other during the meeting which will begin May 21 in Brussels, said yesterday evening, the spokesman for Angela Merkel.

However, President of the Republic, during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister, David Cameron, argued that there was "no disagreement" with the German chancellor. Instead, "there is complete agreement" on the principle to consider new sanctions against the countries of the euro zone whose deficits are too large.

The rider from Germany irritates Lagarde

The two leaders have long debated on Thursday by telephone. No doubt they spoke of the many episodes that have seen the two countries criticize each other via the press.It all started last March, when Christine Lagarde called Berlin had to change its economic policy. Germany was obviously not appreciated that France has registered a record deficit could give lessons to an exemplary country in this field.

Two months later, around Angela Merkel to encourage European countries to follow its example in terms of budgetary discipline quick cash. A rider that markets have not appreciated at all, no more than those conducted by Berlin on Wednesday on short sales. Investors are seeing is a sign of lack of coordination between Germany and its European partners. Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, also regretted the unilateral decision.While stating that there was "no distance between Paris and Berlin," the minister argued that the euro was not in danger ", again taking the cons-foot German Chancellor.

"The real problem with the euro area, growth, not debt"

Guests from France 2, the Director General of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn hammered, meanwhile, that "the euro is not likely to explode," recognizing that the risk would be that it "goes wrong" "The real problem with the euro area is not only the debts and deficits, but also and above all the growth.How is it that the International Monetary Fund expects 3% growth in the United States in 2010 and only 1% for the euro area? If the euro area showed a growth of 3%, we do not speak Greek crisis and even less deficit, "said IMF Managing Director.

Europe has always had a strong Franco-German axis

"To Europe, we must anchor Germany," said General de Gaulle. Europe has always had a strong Franco-German axis: De Gaulle and Adenauer, Giscard d'Estaing and Schmidt or Mitterrand and Kohl. Put under pressure by the Greek crisis, Merkel-Sarkozy axis must reaffirm its strength to ensure a better economic governance.

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The U.S. Justice had opened a criminal investigation against the U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs, say several U.S. media including the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.

"The federal investigators are conducting a criminal investigation to determine whether Goldman Sachs and its employees have engaged in securities fraud in connection with the brokering of mortgage products," wrote the Wall Street Journal quoted sources familiar with the matter.The investigation by a federal prosecutor in Manhattan is in the preliminary stage and would have begun as a result of a dossier submitted by Constable American Stock Exchange (SEC), the newspaper said.

The SEC has launched a lawsuit against the investment bank and one of its employees, French Fabrice Tourre, accusing them of deceiving customers by selling them financial products backed by the market very risky U.S. home which collapsed in 2007.

Many criminal investigations are launched without the government fails to file a complaint, and in this case, investigators have not yet decided whether they would do it or not, the sources said daily online cash advance.

A spokesman for Goldman Sachs told AFP reacted to news by stating that "given the attention given recently to the company, we are not surprised to articles about an investigation and we will work fully to all inquiries.

Amicable settlement with the SEC

The New York Post said on its side on its website Thursday that the bank could "soon" to end amicably prosecution of the SEC. Goldman Sachs could soon reach agreement with the SEC, choosing to end the standoff rather than endure the public embarrassment still suffered Tuesday in Washington, "writes the New York Post, referring to the hearing group before a U.S. Senate Commission that lasted nearly 11 hours Tuesday."It is almost certain that there will be an amicable agreement," the newspaper said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

A source close to the deal reached by AFP noted that "the SEC has so far not given the opportunity to Goldman Sachs to find an amicable agreement to bring prosecution purposes.

It was last January. At Matignon, Francois Fillon met Henri Proglio, CEO of EDF, and Anne Lauvergeon, president and CEO of Areva, to ask them, among other things, to settle their trade disputes in progress. Since then, several weeks have passed and little has changed. In any case the most sensitive issue, that of Eurodif, Areva plant located in the Rhone valley and which enriches uranium for the nuclear plants of EDF.

The contract between the two companies for these operations will run until the end of 2010. Then, or more precisely from 2013, is the brand new Georges Besse II plant – currently under construction – which will take over Eurodif. With, already, a solid contractual basis between the two groups since the short period 2013-2032.However, for the years 2011 and 2012 – the last two operations Eurodif – nothing is planned.

Specifically, EDF does not extend the current contract. Besides the fact that it has stocks of enriched uranium, the electrician lights will also appeal to other providers, namely the Anglo-German-Dutch Urenco and Russian Tenex. Moreover, Georges Besse II shall work more than 40% for EDF, while qu'Eurodif provides in recent years more than 60% of uranium enriched to EDF.While Areva did not deny the right of the speaker to act as he does, "except that before initiating a long lease on Georges Bessei, there is room for both groups based on a better footing," said an industry expert.

Mediation ultimately

But most importantly, the group led by Anne Lauvergeon, the end of the partnership with EDF on Eurodif is extremely penalizing financially. Even if he is careful to communicate officially on the subject, Areva made its accounts that would be tantamount pour2011 et2012, to an operating loss of around 500 million euros. This is not the spreading of the current production of enriched uranium to provide a solution.Similarly, for Areva impossible to find one or more replacements to EDF: In a sector as sensitive as the nuclear industry partnerships are formed very early.

As for EDF, the decision to discontinue its activities with Eurodif could pose problems on the technical level. Currently, two of the four reactors at the plant near Tricastin run on behalf of the enrichment plant, which alone consumes 5% of French electricity production. In other words, the electrician will have to "evacuate" a surplus of electricity on a very consistent network still inadequate. During negotiations, Areva has raised the possibility of reducing the power Eurodif to affect more than a reactor there.

The social aspect, too, is in question. Currently, a thousand people work at the site of enrichment. EDF has made a proposal for resumption of such personnel.But there is no indication of either side, both companies refused to comment on the developments of a commercial negotiation.

Now widely aware of the "problem Eurodif, governments have not yet decided. "The teams are working on it tend to consider separately the optimum of both companies, making it difficult to find a solution," said one expert dossier. In any event, the outcome is expected before summer.

We dare not imagine that these two companies majority-controlled by the State does not end up agreeing. In the meantime, the prime minister could still be forced to intervene. A mediation ultimately still destructive in terms of image for the French nuclear industry.

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After the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and World Bank, it was the turn of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the Bank of France to take a position on the yuan.

Invited BFM Radio, this Tuesday, Christian Noyer, governor of the Bank of France said that "to have a robust and sustainable growth for world economies, the issue of currency must be resolved. In G20, we are negotiating with China to find the right system to get the best balance.

"The G20 must address the issue of exchange" (Walnut)

He deplored the existence of two systems with a share of them floating currencies like the dollar, the euro, the pound or the yen and other currencies fixed, as the yuan."If a small country has a fixed currency does not pose a problem, but the fact that this is a country central to the economy, the coexistence of these two sytems is therefore more feasible," said Governor Bank of France.

For its part, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF managing director, in a speech to the European Parliament in Brussels, ruled Wednesday that the Chinese currency was "very undervalued", echoing account criticism of the United States.

For the former French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, a reappraisal of the yuan through a Chinese growth "more driven by domestic growth" and consumption, and less by exports and cheap products payday advance . A model that China will continue to develop.And for this, the Chinese government has reiterated its desire to stimulate consumption. Thus, 14% of Chinese GDP, under the stimulus plan has been devoted to domestic demand.

Pressure on Barack Obama

Tuesday, UNCTAD said that letting the yuan float would not solve the problems of trade imbalances, an argument advanced by Washington. For its part, the World Bank has advised Beijing to let its currency appreciate.

After the open letter sent Monday by one hundred thirty legislators to U.S. Treasury Secretary and Secretary of Commerce, five U.S. senators have proposed a text yesterday to redefine the criteria by which a currency is considered handled.Where manipulation proved, trade sanctions can be taken through tariff barriers on imports for example.

The increasing pressure on Barack Obama, U.S. officials did not hesitate to bring to account the "undervalued" yuan a share of the rise in unemployment across the Atlantic. The legislators also believe that the low level of the Chinese currency is an indirect subsidy to Chinese exports and import taxes.

"Read the text of the letter