Wall Street expected to rise - February 28, 2011

The U.S. stock market should open up on Monday. Futures on Standard Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 advancing 1.09% respectively at 1316.90 points and 1.56% at 2344 points. Friday, despite continued unrest in the Arab world, the NYSE has closed in the green, encouraged by the commitment of Saudi Arabia to keep oil production and rising Boeing. The Dow Jones was awarded and 0.51% at 12,130 points, the Nasdaq rose 1.58% to 2758 points and the Standard & Poor's 500 gained 1.06% to 1319 points. Over the whole of last week, however, the balance remains negative. In five days, the Dow Jones dropped 2.1%, the Nasdaq dropped 1.9% and the Standard Poor's 500 fell 1.7%.

Investors should still have their eyes on the situation in the Arab world.In Libya, the opposition, strong control of several eastern and western cities, was preparing to march on Tripoli, where Colonel Gaddafi, deaf to international pressure, continued to minimize the insurgency. The tensions have spread Sunday to Oman, Sultanate strategically at the mouth of the Gulf, with clashes between police and protesters that left at least two deaths. Faced with these tensions, crude prices were again on the upside, a barrel of Brent North Sea exceeding $ 113.

Investors should also focus their attention on the series of macroeconomic indicators expected across the Atlantic.In the U.S. they watched in particular, income and expenditure survey for the month of December (14:30), PMI purchasing managers in Chicago for the month of February will give an idea of the strength of growth in the Midwest (15:45) and promises of home sales in January (16h).

On the currency markets, the euro continues to rise, still supported by speculation about the anticipated increase in interest rates by the European Central Bank for the fight against inflation when the monetary policy committee of the institution meets Thursday. About 11:20 am in Paris, the euro bought 1.3839 dollars against 1.3749 dollars on Friday night.

NYSE Euronext seeks to reassure Paris

The yuan rose to its highest level in nearly seventeen years on Monday morning, with a reference rate set at 6.5752 yuan to one dollar.Established by the central bank, this rate determines the point at which the currency can fluctuate plus or minus 0.5%. The Chinese currency reacts to statements by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. The head of government reiterated yesterday the need to conduct an assessment "gradual" in the Chinese currency, arguing that a stronger yuan would help fight inflation.

According to the Financial Times, a fund managed by JPMorgan Chase is preparing to take a 10% stake in the microblogging site Twitter, in a transaction valuing the $ 4.5 billion.In early February, the Wall Street Journal on his side spoke of preliminary discussions between one side of Twitter and Facebook groups internet or Google on the other hand, that one or the other might be willing to pay 8-10 billion dollars to acquire.

NYSE Euronext seeks to reassure on the weight of Paris in the merger with Deutsche Börse. "The trading and listing" will remain in Paris, "said NYSE Euronext. "It was in Paris that will return the management of European cash markets, namely trading and listing, and management technology services group," said Dominique Cerutti, General Director of NYSE Euronext in Les Echos . "The title of the new group will be listed in Paris, as well as Frankfurt and New York. There also is a strong sign of recognition of the French financial, "he added.Moreover, when asked about a possible hostile bid-cons of the Nasdaq OMX platform on transatlantic Mr. Cerutti has described as "theoretically possible", while stressing believe in the "superiority" of the merger with German stock exchanges. NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Börse have announced mid-February their intention to merge to create the first exchange operator in the world, gathering places in New York, Frankfurt, Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Brussels.

Also note, Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's company, announced Friday after the close of Wall Street, a 43% increase in profits on a year in the fourth quarter. Warren Buffett is also more optimistic about U.S. growth. He announced a resumption of the property market within a year.Moreover, he wishes to use an early part of the 38 billion dollars of liquidity of his company to make further acquisitions.

For its part, the Japanese company Fujifilm Holdings said Monday it would buy two subsidiaries of the U.S. group Merck biopharmaceuticals, including facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Japanese company specializing in video technologies, but its activity in the medical field, and the American pharmaceutical company did not specify the amount of the transaction, valued by the business daily Nikkei at 40 billion yen (350 million).

The Pentagon officials must explain to EADS on Monday the reasons for their choice in favor of Boeing. The American won the contract of the century for 179 tankers worth $ 35 billion.

Also note, Microsoft to unveil tomorrow the French version of its search engine with Bing clear objective to compete with Google, widely prevalent in this area. With 91.5% of searches on the Internet in France, Google comes in effect today, far ahead Bing second with only 3.4% of requests in January, as the barometer of AT Internet.

Espionage: Renault could have been trapped in house - February 27, 2011

And if the Renault spy case was based on a simple internal settling of scores? Having missed so far, this track is not ruled according to a source close to the investigation quoted by Le Parisien on Saturday.

She says an employee of Renault 'close' to Michel Balthazar, former head of the division "upstream projects and services" of the company and laid off in January with two other executives, Matthieu Tenenbaum Rochette and Bertrand, was the author of the famous anonymous letter sent in late August at the direction of Renault.

"In May this year, I saw Michael Balthazard negotiate a jar of wine, claiming that if Bob Bell took advantage of F1, also wanted to enjoy it and feed his bank account," says the author literally. Without the quote, it also aims Matthew Tenenbaum."During another conversation, he (Michel Balthazar, Ed) spoke of a young man (Matthew Tenenbaum, Ed) which quickly understood how it works to fill his bank account," he adds.

Renault has made "mistakes"

Recognizing not have "no evidence", the "Raven" was threatening the management of Renault. "Without checking action on your part, I would not hesitate in a few weeks to send the letter to the press." But according to RTL radio, which obtained one of the anonymous letters, the document aimed Michel Balthazard contains "no details or overwhelming potential to advance the investigation."

Anyway, the contents of this letter plot."Who else but a close security service may Renault whether audits will be conducted?" Asks Maitre Thibault de Montbrial, lawyer Matthew Tenenbaum.

The Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI), responsible for investigating this matter, and would guide his research on the environment "very close" to Michel Balthazard. A dozen people are suspected by investigators.

For its part, Renault, however, convinced he has been betrayed by three executives who allegedly leaked confidential information, now acknowledges having made "mistakes." And if the automaker had wrongfully dismissed three executives on false accusations from a "raven" still an employee of the group? This would then no longer one but two crises that the automaker should be managed.

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Boeing robs the Airbus tanker contract - February 25, 2011

From our Washington correspondent

The Pentagon chose Boeing and EADS not to deliver 179 aircraft-refueling tankers. The European group had, however, in 2008, won the giant contract estimated at $ 35 billion. But Boeing was able to invalidate the win. In a politically charged climate, Boeing had argued errors committed by experts from the U.S. Air Force in the evaluation of their offer. Disappointed, EADS has ten days to enter to turn the U.S. Court of Auditors, which would be a hundred days to decide.

EADS offered to assemble a plant in Alabama, specially built for this purpose, a military version derived from the Airbus A 330.

Boeing wants his side to replace its old KC-135, in operation since 1950, for derivatives of the Boeing aircraft B-767 products in its factories near Seattle.The selection of Boeing will cause a stir in Congress, especially among Republicans from Alabama. Conversely, deputies and senators, anxious to defend Boeing and employment in the United States are met. The contract is more sensitive than the needs of the Air Force is pressing and unlikely to be affected by cuts in appropriations that hit other weapons programs, including those who live Boeing.

Operating Costs

The formula used by the Pentagon to compare the operating costs of both units played a crucial role in the decision. Indeed, the tanker offered by EADS is larger than the unit proposed by Boeing.To compare the two options, experts from the Defense Department have established a mathematical formula that adjusts costs to reflect this difference.

The model incorporates various scenarios of conflicts and situations of refueling more or less far from U.S. bases. It also takes into account the likely increases in fuel during the operating period is 40 years. However, Boeing had long argued that the formula favored EADS. It does not reflect the actual costs of operating the Boeing tanker supposed to be lower.

The manufacturer also claims that EADS is a company illegally subsidized by European states. Moreover, Boeing submitted to the Congress that the U.S. should not rely on a foreign company for a contract as important to national security.

The Pentagon had clearly rejected these objections.On the one hand because the dispute between Boeing and Airbus to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is not resolved, Boeing accused of being eligible for public subsidies. He also believed that competition between the two manufacturers was the ideal way to get the best tanker at the best price. Only against Boeing since Northrop Grumman has renounced his alliance with EADS on this project, the EU has even seen the Pentagon grant it the status of "prime contractor", reserved for the largest U.S. companies weapon. Still, a second phase is planned. The work carried out by EADS is not lost and he could catch up on this occasion

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Dexia misses consensus - February 23, 2011

Dexia is less than expected in 2010. The Franco-Belgian bank announced Wednesday a net profit decline of 28.4% over the period, to 723 million euros where the consensus reached by Inquiry Financial expected a decline of 16.4% to 847 million euros. The cost of risk was 641 million euros against a consensus to 619 million euros. And the net banking income amounted to 5.31 billion euros against an average wait of 5.30 billion euros.

The bank said that 2010 was marked by such additional provisions on the portfolio of financial assets it manages in extinction. "The strength of the group is confirmed, with a Tier 1 ratio to 13.1%, which enables Dexia to cope with regulatory changes underway," states, however, in a statement, Pierre Mariani, managing director of bank.

"We warned that the years 2010 and 2011 would be difficult, for its part, said Jean-Luc Dehaene, President of the Board, at a press conference, referring to the passage a" legacy quite heavy. "

The objectives for 2014 are maintained

Leaded by the weight of its fundraising activities of local authorities during the crisis, Dexia is now focusing on retail banking to balance its balance sheet payday loans guaranteed no fax. The bank announced in October of strategic objectives to 2014, indicating 60% will generate revenues in its retail banking and commercial banking in 2014, against 36% in 2007, and profit growth potential in Turkey where it is Denizbank with this.Jean-Luc Dehaene said that the group kept these objectives in the medium term.

Before that, Jean-Luc Dehaene said that his bank would step up its efforts to recover from 2012 "" normal ". "We should see all the recovery efforts of the trades, for his part pledged the bank's chief executive Pierre Mariani. The bank has largely implemented a restructuring program and asset disposal, one of the conditions imposed by the European Commission to accept its bailout by the Belgian and French.

Dexia, whose financial health is monitored by the market, entered into a liquidity agreement with the Postal Bank with whom it shares such shareholder Caisse des depots.

(With agencies)

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SOHO and small too small presence on the web - February 22, 2011

Publicis wants to surf the digital delay of French SMEs. The advertising giant on Monday announced the launch of Webformance in France, a new support service for small and medium enterprises on the Internet. Creating a website, running a campaign on Google, viral marketing, content development videos, development of e-commerce … the subsidiary of Publicis, based in Lyon aims to provide a toolkit facilitating the use digital SMEs.

"Our goal is to put the power of the Internet service. It is about giving them the opportunity to be present in an effective manner, to win new customers and retain existing customers, "said Maxime Baffert, CEO Webformance.Publicis, which has made more than 25% of its turnover in digital in 2010, intends to push its advantage and be the rendezvous of the digital development of small French companies. If this activity is marginal in terms of overall activity of the group, it constitutes, according to CM-CIC Securities, a "first step on the market for local advertising on the Internet relay natural growth" of Publicis.

Digital divide

For if large groups are heavily present on the web, using, for example with ease social networks as a marketing channel, SMEs and SOHO will always lag behind heavy consequences. A recent study by the Observatory for small business, 62% of entrepreneurs interviewed said they did not have an Internet presence.A good third of them confide even never use e-mail!

"We have five years to catch up with our European neighbors," says Jean-Michel then Yolin, vice president of the Business Innovation and Ministry of Economy. A technology gap even more crippling consumers invest heavily online. According to a survey by TNS Sofres, 41% of French people surf the Web to learn about a professional. And 81% of them consulted the Internet before making a purchase online or not, "says the federation of e-commerce. "For businesses, digital literacy is a genuine issue of competitiveness," says Jean-Michel Yolin.

Food prices are close to "alert status" - February 20, 2011

Soaring food prices is now reaching a crisis level and increases political instability, warned Saturday in Paris President of the World Bank on the sidelines of a meeting of G20 finance ministers.

Robert Zoellick called on leaders of the G20 "to consider food as a number one priority in 2011." Rising food prices will encourage increased agricultural supply, but in the next two years "there could also have a mass of troubles, the government could fall and companies falling into chaos," Has he said.The continuing rise in food prices, fueled by rising agricultural commodity prices is a cause of the current upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa, said he.

As the institution had revealed a few days ago rising food prices have dropped between June and December of 44 million people worldwide below the extreme poverty. This estimate was made based on statistics on income and expenditure survey conducted in countries with low to moderate incomes. The threshold of extreme poverty is defined by spending $ 1.25 per day per person.

"The food prices continue to rise worldwide poor credit personal loans.The food price index of the World Bank has increased by 15% between October 2010 and January 2011, and only 3% below its 2008 peak, "said the institution in a statement.

"Inflationary pressures caused by oil prices, energy and raw materials must be taken seriously," said his part the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet, during a press conference at the end of the G20 Finance.

Robert Zoellick has also ensured that the G20 ministers had been receptive to his speech and that this group of industrialized and emerging countries were prepared to act. "The best way to counter critics who say the G20 is a forum of discussion is to initiate real actions, and actions in favor of the poor is what we can do better" he said.France, which currently chairs the G20, has made food security and reducing the volatility of food prices a priority.

(With AFP)

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Sarkozy launches presidency of the G20 - February 18, 2011

It was this Friday in Paris the starting point of the French presidency of the G20. In the late afternoon, Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee received Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the coterie of twenty countries representing 85% of global gross domestic product. "The G20 will retain its legitimacy if it can demonstrate its effectiveness in the recovery. It is therefore your responsibility and that of heads of State and Government to provide answers to key questions facing today's global economy, "commented the Head of State. Before exhorting the audience not to "give priority to national interests" that would cause "death G20" and the call does not bog down the debate "in endless discussions.

A tip for the less welcome. For in the aftermath, ministers and central bankers would sit for a working dinner at the Hotel de Marigny.With the menu: the difficult development of a list of indicators to measure the macroeconomic imbalances, the first step before a debate on remedies to reduce them. This list should make it possible to send to different countries by the end of 2011 and led the International Monetary Fund (IMF), economic policy recommendations.

The positions of the twenty member countries on Friday on the issue of indicators augur well for the difficult discussions, which continues today with sessions at Bercy. The Deputy Russian Finance Minister Dmitry Pankin, reported in the afternoon that the first draft final communique included four indicators of current account imbalances, the exchange rate, public deficit and private debt. A little phrase that started the game strategist negotiators, each role is to defend its interests.And has enabled China to express his differences. Always under pressure to revalue its currency, it will not be dictating policy in this area.

"Earning a certain amount of reserves"

In the minute that followed the Russian statement, Finance Minister Xie Xuren told himself firmly opposed to the inclusion as a factor of disequilibrium exchange rates and foreign exchange reserves no fax payday loans. "Emerging markets have to cope with financial crises and economic shocks, accumulate a certain amount of reserves," he said. He also hopes that the standard current account is replaced by that of the trade balance. China also believes that the rules on indicators should be advisory and not binding.

For their part, the Indian Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, and Brazil, Guido Mantega, were opposed to the implementation of a comprehensive mechanism of control of capital flows. Depending on the progress of negotiations, the final statement may not mention at all of the list of indicators. "This is not a tragedy," stated the French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde, early in the week. According to other sources, the G20 could offer China the possibility of excluding the balance of payments imbalances measurement criteria, to enable a comprehensive agreement on the issue. The German Finance Minister, Jörg Asmussen, hoped on Friday that discussions to reach an agreement.

The five French priorities G20

• Identifying the macroeconomic imbalances.

• Réformerle international monetary system.

• Reduce excessive volatility of raw materials.

• providing a program offering financial regulation flawless.

• Develop infrastructure in the country.

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Prudence expected at the Paris Bourse - February 17, 2011

Just under one fifth of the CAC 40 published on Thursday morning. After Wall Street closed higher Wednesday on the Paris Bourse is expected to remain cautious in the wake of this new wave of publications heavyweights rating.

Since Wednesday, the U.S. macroeconomic news will be especially with the United States: Inflation in January (1430), the weekly claims for unemployment benefits (1430) and the composite indicator of economic activity in January (16 hours).

In France, expected numbers of start-ups in January (8.45) and the presentation of the 2011 Annual Public Report of the Court of Auditors (1230).Around 10 am, will be published balance of payments in the eurozone.

On the currency markets, the euro is stable against the dollar on Thursday morning at 1.3560 dollar.

BNP Paribas missed market expectations in the fourth quarter

Despite a 2010 net profit up 34% to 7.8 billion euros, BNP Paribas has missed market expectations in the fourth quarter, after a depreciation in its accounts unexpectedly on its stake in Axa.

Canal + France said it had registered Wednesday its core document with the AMF, to an IPO in Paris 20% of its capital.

The insurer Axa in 2010 recorded a net profit of 2.749 billion euros, down 24%, affected by special items related to divestitures in the United Kingdom, according to a statement released Thursday.

PPR has reported an annual net profit up 1.4% to 965 million euros, while its turnover in 2010 rose 7.5% to 14.6 billion euros.The distribution group and luxury is confident to achieve this year's financial performance than those of 2010.

Technip table for this year on a turnover of about 6.5 to 6.7 billion euros and an operating margin Subsea (subsea infrastructure) above 15%.

Schneider Electric has published on Thursday a net profit doubled in 2010 to 1.7 billion euros.The group targets a growth of 6 to 9% this year, a margin which improved to reach 15 to 15.5% in 2011.

The wine and spirits group Pernod Ricard said Thursday net results in increase in the first half of its fiscal year offset.

The consulting group Capgemini and Computer Services posted Thursday a net profit in 2010 increased 57% to 280 million euros forecast for 2011 indicating a growth in turnover of between 9 and 10%.

TF1 takes advantage of the recovery in advertising market

TF1 double its annual net profit to 229 million euros thanks to the upturn in the advertising market.The group chaired by Nonce Paolini expects a stagnation in sales 2011, after it rose 11% in 2010.

Alcatel-Lucent is confident about its prospects in the U.S. this year, based on significant contracts with major operators in the country, Verizon and Sprint Nextel, told Reuters his director of the Americas.

The European Railway Agency in March will make its technical opinion on the circulation of new types of trains through the Channel Tunnel, which will build review the Franco-britaninque responsible for settling the case, said Wednesday Thierry Mariani.

Scor announced Wednesday the sale of its fixed annuity in the United States to Athene Holding for 55 million dollars (40 million).

Saft has announced an acceleration of its business in 2011 but a slight margin decline due to one of its plant projects in the United States.

Icade intends to continue the service sector of its activities with delivery over the next several years of its pipeline projects valued at 900 million euros.

After market, Eutelsat will publish its first half results.

Video Games: in the master but disillusioned music - February 15, 2011

Prepare a disco ball, dance floor becomes your living room. The trend of video games is now at the dance. With already two million copies sold worldwide, Michael Jackson: The Experience is the box unchallenged in recent weeks.

The French group Ubisoft, publisher of the game of King of Pop, but also for Just Dance (5.4 million copies sold) and Just Dance 2 (5.6 million) which places it in pole position in dancing games and wishes to maintain its lead. April 14th, will be released on the console version KINECTS Michael Jackson: The Experience, "which has very little to do with his eldest," entrust jeuxactu.com journalists who went to Montreal, where the largest local society, and where the game is designed.

Through a proprietary technology Ubisoft (the Player Projections), the player himself who is on the screen.It's not like on the Wii to reproduce the best possible gloved hand of Michael Jackson. This time, each movement of the head, feet, hands and hips is projected onto the character. "If you're not a god of dance, it's going to see right away, especially since version enhances KINECTS a notch," it warns in jeuxactu.com. Suffice to say that the moonwalk risk of damage … Little extra special: it is also possible to sing Michael Jackson. Still a very difficult exercise.

KINECTS already on the game Dance Central Harmonix has already sold 1 Business Card Holders.7 million units.Real success for these artists signed authentic choreography pop, hip-hop and R & B like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg and Nelly Furtado.

If Dance Central has sold three times less than Just Dance 2, it must be nuanced: now, worldwide, more than 8 million were sold KINECTS … cons nearly 85 million for the Wii.

However, for musicians, it's time to disillusionment as the famous guitar playing Guitar Hero hung up. The sauce was not taking and profits for the company crumbled Activision (Vivendi). Guitar Hero: Smash Hits or Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock have each sold less than 500,000 copies since its release in the United States.

This blow is the telltale sign of a decline in music games. But it benefits at least in Rock Band.The game, launched by Harmonix but also for Electronic Arts, recreates a real band, with guitarist and drummer, bassist and singer. "Harmonix and Rock Band will continue to innovate and invent new approaches in the genre of music game," Harmonix responded immediately after the announcement of the "death" of her baby, Guitar Hero.

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Obama wants to melt the deficit - February 14, 2011

"It is time for Washington to act with as much responsibility as American households." It was around this commitment that the President of the United States has articulated on Saturday, his weekly radio address. Barack Obama, who tomorrow must submit his budget proposal to Congress in 2012, has been determined to clean up the country's public finances. "This budget will enable us to live according to our means while continuing to invest in our future."

According to Jack Lew, the head of the budget at the White House, the administration calls for reducing the federal deficit of 1100 billion (800 billion) over ten years, bringing it to about $ 300 billion."The challenge facing the country today is to get out of a situation that is almost unbearable to find a context that will enable it to pay its bills and will guarantee a safe and stable future," said economic adviser on Sunday in a video posted on the website of the White House. Two thirds of the savings would be considered as a reduction of expenses and one third would come from increased taxation.

U.S. President plans to freeze and some spending over five years, a measure already announced in January during his speech on the state of the Union. "Even a few programs I would particularly be concerned," he detailed in his speech. "This alone will reduce the deficit over 400 billion dollars over the next 10 years.This freeze will reduce the weight of public expenditure in the economy to its lowest level since President Dwight D. Eisenhower (between 1953 and 1961, Ed). "

Hunt for "waste"

Other savings will be achieved by "getting rid of waste," including those "thousands of properties owned by the government and which are empty because unnecessary." "I also proposed freezing the salaries of civil servants who work hard, because everyone has to contribute," he confirmed short term personal loan. Finally, the President pledged that the deficit does not swell "for political reasons", that is to say, "In my opponent to veto any project that would introduce exceptions."

On the expenditure side, for example, the Pentagon is expected to see his budget melt. Expenses would be reduced by $ 78 billion over five years.Are affected by these cuts C-17 aircraft, the reciprocating engine for the Joint Strike Fighter and the Marine Expeditionary Vehicle with the Defense Department said he did not need.

Prioritize investments "create jobs"

However, the White House is determined not to clip the "job-creating investments, including roads, trains and high speed broadband internet. Research, particularly in energy and biotechnology, and education are also priorities. "After ten years of growing deficits, the budget size (…) spending more than we can afford, so that we can afford all that we can not do without," says Barack Obama.

The fiscal deficit of the federal state camp to new heights for more than two years.After reaching a record $ 1.416 trillion dollars for fiscal 2009 (10% of GDP), it fell to 1.294 trillion (8.9% of GDP) in 2010. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned however that it should reach a new record, estimated at 1480 billion (9.8% of GDP) for fiscal 2011 which ends September 30.

While with his buget 2012, Barack Obama must arbitrate between rigor to reduce the deficit or raise for a fragile recovery, credit rating agencies have reminded the administration to order. After Moody's, Standard & Poor's warned last month the United States they could not continue to let them slip deficit. Otherwise, the AAA rating of the country was threatened.

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