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Wall Street overcame the Japanese earthquake - March 12, 2011

After opening down, Wall Street back into positive territory on Friday. At the close, the Dow Jones gained 0.50% at 12,044 points, the S & P 500 ahead 0.71% to 1304 points and the Nasdaq rose 0.54% to 2716 points.

A great performance, despite concerns about the earthquake that hit Japan last night, disappointing indicators released Thursday and continuing tensions in Libya.

Oil continues to unwind

These concerns, however, have allowed oil prices to relax. Shortly before the close of Wall Street, Brent yielded $ 1.74 (1.51%) to 113.65 dollars. For the week, crude texant lost $ 3.26, or 3.12%.

On the macroeconomic front, retail sales in the U.S. rose 1.0% in February from January, as analysts anticipated, according to figures released Friday in Washington by the Department of Commerce.

U.S. consumer confidence fell in March, according to an index released Friday by the University of Michigan, which was 68.2 against 77.5 the previous month.

Restocking of manufacturing firms and corporations increased 0.9% compared to December in the U.S., according to figures released Friday by the Washington Department of Trade and rather good news for the U.S. GDP.This increase is slightly greater than the median forecast of analysts who gave 0.8%.

AIG: 2.36% to 37.34 dollars

The insurer American International Group said on Thursday to buy back $ 15.7 billion in cash (11.4 billion) of mortgage assets that the U.S. government had recovered during the financial crisis through the bailout group.

National Semiconductor: 3.74% to 14.69 dollars

National Semiconductor has published an annual turnover less than expected for the third quarter of fiscal year due to destocking at its distributors, but its forecast of sales growth for the current quarter is in line with expectations .

Clearwire: 0.17% to 5.76 dollars

The Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow has resigned as part of a wider reshuffle at the head of the wireless network operator, amid difficulties to finance its investments and dispute between the group and its majority shareholder Sprint Nextel.

Chevron: 0.85% to 99.92 dollars

Chevron announced the sale of its refinery in Pembroke, Great Britain, for 730 million dollars U.S. refiner Valero. The latter said in a separate release that the acquisition would be accretive to its earnings immediately, adding that the transaction should be finalized in the third quarter.

Apple: 1.53% to 351.99 dollars

Apple launches this Friday the marketing of the new version of its iPad tablet.

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The network first success factor? - March 10, 2011

The international study of Essec on "the higher classes and success is not always flattering for our country. Conducted by the CSA from 3000 people from privileged backgrounds, in ten countries, the survey which focused on exploring what success often reveals an image of France rather chilly and somewhat innovative.

No network, no or little chance for success … Unlike almost all other countries surveyed, France considers that 55% "relations" or "network" are the assets of departure that best promote career success. Only China agrees.Elsewhere, India, Germany, via the United States or the United Kingdom all made their choice in the first place the "intelligence" when in France, this advantage does not seem as important eyes 35% of respondents! Paradoxically, however, diplomas are overrated in this country, they rank third (34%) while in others, money or the family environment are much more emphasized. The belief in meritocracy and in the Republican contest is still alive in our country though a minority. In the rest of the world, the degrees are essential for 12% of those surveyed who occupy positions of all professional privilege.

The French hope to become less popular

In European countries, making a successful career is less important than being in love.Having a happy family and free time are the two main objectives in France, the United Kingdom or Germany. United States and the East Asian powers, moral principles prevail more. The French seem less concerned about the common good than the others. Only 63% and 56% of them believe that "interest" and "great causes" are important goals to maintain against respectively 77% and 72% on average in other countries. However, they do not expect to become famous, this illusion propagated by the reality shows and other radio hooks while in China or the United States, much of those surveyed would be much admired and wealthy at the top of poster …

Germany, more attached to paid

The entrepreneurial spirit can always wait.In France, for 59% of respondents, a successful working life is rather "get into the business" that "up his business." Only Germany seems to be more cautious with 62% of respondents who prefer to the wage. In Morocco, China, Russia, Singapore, India, the United States or the United Kingdom are grown further this desire to create "business."

Finally, the current incarnations of success cited by the respondents reinforce the all-American power and success of Internet and computer, anywhere in the world: Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and especially Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft are the two names most mentioned by respondents … except in India where it prefers industrial house like Ratan Tata and Sachin Tendulkar. Only four countries cite their first political leader, Singapore, Brazil, Russia, then France.The others pay little attention to or ignore.

The Cac 40 finally returns above 4000 points - March 9, 2011

The CAC 40, which won in the 4000 points on Monday night, amid record oil prices and gasoline, is struggling to return to the 4000 points on Tuesday: the index gained 0.64% to 4015, 91 points. The DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is 0.04% to 7164.75 points while the FTSE in London is 0.02% over the closing Monday at 5,931.28 points.

Last night, Wall Street has yet suffered during the black gold but this morning, Asian stock markets have evolved around the equilibrium. Tensions in the oil market will settle down when in fact that Nigeria, Kuwait and the UAE will increase their oil production by April to offset higher prices that now exists as Libya comes into civil war with an additional 300,000 barrels per day, according to the Financial Times.This morning, oil prices dropping a bit of ground: a barrel of light sweet crude for April delivery yielded 1.41% to 103.95 dollars and that of Brent North Sea fell by 1.16% to 113.71 dollars.

French growth of 0.8% in first quarter

Side macroeconomic figures on Tuesday to watch: Bank of France said Tuesday forecast growth of 0.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) of France in the first quarter of this year in its monthly business survey. The survey on business climate shows a continued growth of industrial activity in February, but at a slower pace than in January, the indicator remained stable 110.The business climate indicator in services has increased in parallel from one point to 102.

Moreover, the trade deficit widened from France in January, to 5.89 billion euros against 5.60 billion the previous month, seasonally adjusted data, the Customs said Tuesday.

No statistics are expected this afternoon from the United States.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro lost it again a little ground against the dollar on Tuesday as investors reaping some profits after a record four months veille guaranteed unsecured personal loan.En early afternoon in Paris, the euro was worth 1, 3877 dollars against 1.3971 late Monday.

Scor: net profit up 13%

At the Paris Stock Exchange on Tuesday morning, Michelin took the top ranking (2.51% to 59.19 euros) the Cac 40, followed by Axa (+2.49%).Red side, Alcatel Lucent was down 2.72% on profit taking as well as Capgemini 0.62% and 0.53% of GDF Suez.

The SBF, Scor (-1.69% to 21.43 euros) also suffers profit taking. The reinsurer recorded in 2010 net profit up 13% to 418.0 million euros, above expectations, thanks to a surge in financial products, according to a statement released Tuesday. It is also in talks to buy the U.S. Transamerica Reinsurance, a subsidiary of its Dutch rival Aegon, reports Bloomberg.

Air France-KLM (+0.34% to 11.64 euros) reported on Tuesday morning traffic on a February increase of 4.9% capacity increase of 5.1% annual rate . This brings "a quasi-stable load factor to 77.6%," says the airline in a statement.Passenger numbers rose 5.7% to 58.1 million.

Side values, the oil services group Technip (+0.52% at 71.09 euros) has signed a contract worth around 45 million euros for the Gjoa Field Development in the Norwegian North Sea, he said Tuesday in a statement.

LVMH (+0.75% to 113.80 euros). Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, said that the purchase of Bulgari and the agreement with family shareholders of the Italian jeweler might show interest in the Hermes family of a rapprochement with his band.

To be continued this evening, after-hours trading, the 2010 earnings of Havas and BioMérieux.

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Bercy target of a vast piracy case - March 7, 2011

Hackers are on all fronts. After the stock exchanges of New York and London in particular, hackers are able to penetrate the security of the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, reported the website of Paris Match. The Treasury Department and in particular the G20 documents were the subject of a massive computer attack between December and this weekend, said the weekly's website which refers to "a source familiar with the matter."

Pailloux Patrick, the executive director of ANSSI (National Security Agency Information Systems) said that "those who acted are professionals committed and organized. This is the first attack against the French state and of this magnitude at this scale. "

In total, more than 150 computers in the department who have been infiltrated and many pirated materials.The attack was, according to Patrick Pailloux "documents related to the French presidency of the G20 and international economic affairs." No attack, however, concern individuals.

Chinese Track

Even if the origin of the attack has not yet been established, a senior official suggests a possible Chinese track. "We found that a number of information were redirected to sites in China," Paris Match reported quoting a senior official, who requested anonymity. "But that does not mean much," he tempered.

For now, Bercy filed a complaint against X with the Paris prosecutor's office and the DCRI, the French intelligence service, was seized.

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For its "stability", China promised to reduce inflation - March 6, 2011

Wen Jiabao's speech at China's parliament on Saturday took on the appearance of mea culpa. Chinese Premier, speaking at the 3000 delegates to the NPC, met for ten days in Beijing, acknowledged that the price increase was the source of calls for protests that flourished in the country. "We need to consider price stability as the priority of our macro-economic control," he said.

During the inaugural session of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, Prime Minister described the inflationary expectations of "problems which are closely the standard of living of the population, the overall situation and stability of the country." Rising consumer prices rose 4.9% in January over a year.The government promises to reduce it to "4%" this year.

Always fight against inflation, the Chinese authorities want to implement "a prudent monetary policy," which will require the limitation to 16% of the increase in money supply M2, which includes the aggregate of currency in circulation, accounts demand deposits and savings accounts.

Avoid the shock wave

Even if the Prime Minister made no reference to the popular liberation movements that are shaking the Arab world, his speech illustrated the authorities' concern to avoid any risk of spread to China. "Some issues that are subject to strong reactions among the population have not been resolved completely.Food security is poor and some sectors are vulnerable to corruption "he acknowledged.

To fight against these problems, the government would "continue to pursue a policy stimulus. Efforts will focus on "rural development", "improving the level of the population" and developing "social sectors".

According to this discourse that determines the main directions for the country's official year, "the educational resources and lack of quality medical and their distribution is uneven." Moreover, "the property prices have recorded an excessive increase in some cities," said Wen Jiabao, who promises to develop social housing."Social contradictions raised by the illegal requisition of land and demolition of illegal houses have multiplied," he added.

Target of 8% growth

These investments will be in a GDP growth of around 8% this year and an annual increase of around 7% over the next five years. These figures, which marked a slowdown from the 11.2% GDP growth recorded during the last five years had already been discussed by Wen Jiabao in late February at the Forum on China Internet.

Despite continued efforts to invest, the government wants to reduce the budget deficit will be contained in "about 2% of GDP".

Warning against the challenge

When the Prime Minister recognized the inequality at the source of disputes, an editorial published by the Beijing Daily, official newspaper of the Communist administration, launched a warning against the calls for protest. "Everyone knows that stability is a blessing and a curse chaos," said the newspaper stating that the "disorder" that has shaken the Arab world "has led to a massive disaster for the peoples of these countries." "It is worth noting here or abroad, some individuals feeding on ulterior motives trying to trigger chaos in China, using the Internet to foment illegal gatherings," it said.Following an appeal to all Chinese citizens so that they "conscientiously protect the harmony and stability".

In recent weeks, dozens of Chinese dissidents have been arrested and police have threatened to deprive alongside dozens of visas to foreign journalists if they continue to cover "illegally" appeals from sites based abroad.

The father of microcredit takes justice - March 4, 2011

Professor Yunus, Nobel Peace 2006, renowned economist and pioneer of microfinance, plan to stay at the head of the Grameen Bank he founded in 1983. No offense to the authorities of Dhaka who dismissed Wednesday the influential humanist of his duties, "Professor Yunus has brought an action challenging the legality of the decision of the Bank (Central) of Bangladesh," said Attorney General , Mahbubey Alam.

The Nobel Prize is supported by the Grameen Bank itself. Yesterday evening, the institution whose mission is to provide small loans to more than 8 million poor said that "the founder of Grameen Bank and Nobel Laureate, Professor Muhammad Yunus is still in office."Moreover, Muhammad Yunus on Thursday, ignoring the decision of the State, was present as usual at the headquarters of the bank, whose board he is loyal.

The "Banker to the Poor" and its employees are challenging a decision based on occult reasons. According to the Central Bank, the founder of the Grameen Bank would be in violation because he is older than seventy years. Now the age limit for bank officials would be set at this particular age. Another reason given by the prospective head of the Grameen Bank, Muzammel Huq, wants the appointment of Professor at the head of the bank pioneer of microcredit in 1983 and renewed in 2001, would not comply with the rules.In short, nothing new but a law governing the banking sector in 1991, gives wide powers to the Central Bank of Bangladesh, including the right to end the duties of officers of private sector establishments.

Cabal policy

The lack of justification in any case reinforces the impression that the professor is the victim of a political vendetta. And everything goes back to 2007. Shortly after receiving the Nobel peace in 2006, Muhammad Yunus founded his own political party free instant credit score. A decision that has provoked the ire of Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the Government of Bangladesh, which has not always want to destabilize the "banker of the poor."

After a complaint for libel, Dhaka has opened an investigation into the Grameen Bank after a report aired on Norwegian television saying that the bank used the funds of foreign investors for purposes other than funding for microcredit.An attack then denied. Whatever, Sheikh Hasina accused the Grameen Bank to "suck the blood of the poor."

International support

The charges involved the Prime Minister just as the microcredit sector is weakened by recent scandals in India, causing a wave of suicides on the subcontinent. And even if Muhammad Yunus has strongly condemned the drift, the relentlessness of Dhaka towards the founding father of microfinance could be a blow to the sector.

For now, supporters flock. Norway, which participated in the creation of the Grameen Bank, held Wednesday by the voice of Erik Solheim, Minister of International Development, that his removal was "a very sad news. We are witnessing a brutal struggle for power in Bangladesh. " The U.S. embassy in Dhaka has expressed its "deep trouble" and asked Dhaka to treat Muhammad Yunus with respect.Martin Hirsch compares him "this attempt to bayonne a Nobel prize for peace in what happened in Burma, with another fighter for peace and freedom", referring to Aung San Suu Kyi.

The high price of oil is faltering Wall Street - March 2, 2011

Wall Street failed to hold throughout the session these good provisions found in the opening. At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 168.32 points to 12,058.02 points and the Nasdaq composite, dominated by technological 44.86 points to 2737.41 points. The broader index Standard & Poor's 500 has sold 1.57% (20.89 points) to 1306.33 points.

Up to the opening, the indices on Wall Street have stalled while crude prices took off, ending a barrel to 115 dollars in London, nearly 100 in New York.Cettepoussée on the oil market has "renewed concerns about the impact of higher energy prices on consumption," noted analysts at Charles Schwab.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro continued to rise against the dollar on Tuesday, still supported by persistent speculation about an early monetary tightening in the euro zone before the policy meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday.

On the macroeconomic front, investors have watched particularly the U.S., the index of activity in manufacturing and construction spending for the month of January. The ISM reported a 19th consecutive month of growth in February to reach a new high since May 2004, confirming once again accelerating economic recovery in the country.

Resumption of mergers and acquisitions

More good news for Wall Street, the resumption of mergers and acquisitions is confirmed in the U.S.. After the close of the NYSE, Blackstone Group (+0.54% to 17.90 dollars) has announced the acquisition of shopping centers in the United States of Centro Properties for $ 9.4 billion. For his part, Health Care REIT announced the acquisition of real estate assets of Genesis $ 2.4 billion. And, Range Resources has announced the final transfer of its assets related to the operation of gas field in Texas Barnett Shale for $ 900 million.Excluding the impact of the sale, the company expects an increase of 10% of its production and has announced an investment of 1.38 billion for 2011.

JPMorgan Chase (-2.33% to 45.60 dollars) expects that its ongoing trial at the end of 2010, including procedures relating to foreclosures flawed, it costs up to 4 business card.5 billion, according to a document given to the stock exchange authorities.In documents submitted to stock exchange authorities Friday, two other U.S. banks, Bank of America (-2.52% to 13.93 dollars) and Wells Fargo (-1.89% to 31.65 dollars), had indicated that they is also banking on sanctions, including financial procedures for potentially improper foreclosures.

Also in the banking sector, Barclays (7.52% to 32.45 dollars) on Tuesday announced the acquisition activities of credit cards online bank Egg, a subsidiary of U.S. banking giant Citigroup (-2 , 35% to 4.57 dollars) for an undisclosed sum.Barclays will acquire through this transaction a portfolio of 1.15 million customers and about 2.3 billion pounds of gross receivables, said Barclays, which has the loop operation during the semester.

Apple (-1.10% to 349.31 U.S. dollars), which is tomorrow unveil the second generation of the iPad tablet in San Francisco, should be particularly surrounded. Faced with competition becoming more intense when facing the iPad, Apple had to respond. Success of the iPad 2 also proves that even if Steve Jobs is on sick leave, product launches continue. The shareholders did ask last week presented a plan of succession. But the proposal was immediately rejected. The title remains one of Apple's darling of Wall Street.Since the beginning of the year it has still increased by nearly 8% outperformance in the market.

For its part, Microsoft (-1.58% to 26.16 dollars) on Tuesday launched the French version of its search engine Bing, betting on partnerships with PagesJaunes, the French press, or the BNF Screenrush order improve the "relevance" of that department, with the objective to exist against Google.

Also note, the Treasury Department revised upward from U.S. debt held by China. Almost 1160 billion worth of bonds were thus in the hands of Chinese investors on December 31 last. Is 268.5 billion more than the estimates published mid-February in Washington. China is the largest creditor of the United States, ahead of Japan and Russia.

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