ISF: how to fulfill its reporting - September 17, 2011

Reform of the ISF, Act I. Passed last spring, the overhaul of the tax on capital is available in two years, 2011 and 2012. Because of these changes, the deadline for the declaration and payment of ISF is also exceptionally attached to September 30 this year.

From 2011, households with between 800,000 and 1,310,000 euros of assets are exempt from wealth tax. These homes are thus 300 000 received no tax declaration form. However, some tax advice to households close to the threshold of 1.3 million to make a statement (see interview below). In addition, taxpayers with between 1.3 and 3 million of assets this year have a simplification of formalities in their statement.

In 2011, the old scale of the ISF continues to apply. This is a scale that works in phases, with six tax rates.The first tranche that between 800,000 and 1.3 million euros of assets, is still active for those households that remain subject to the ISF is to say that over 1.3 million property. Thus, a taxpayer with a wealth of 3 million will pay a wealth tax of 16,555 euros (0.55% share of its assets from 0.8 to 1.31 million, 0.75% between 1.31 and 2 , 57% between 1 million and 3 million and 2.57).

The reform of the TFR is consistent with the removal of the tax shield. However, because the mechanism of the shield, which is shifted in time, taxpayers will still be entitled to a shield in 2011 and 2012 respectively on their overpaid tax in 2011 and 2010. The shield does not really disappear in 2013.

But some practical rules are changing.Until September 30, recipients of the shield can either request a refund check to the treasury, or less money on ISF, local taxes or payroll taxes on the amount of shield.

New scale in 2012

As of September 30, one lane remains: the allocation of the shield on the bill of ISF. One way to avoid the controversy of previous years on the checks sent to taxpayers' net worth …

Finally, indebted to the ISF will be eligible for the last time this year the cap of the ISF (wealth tax, social security contributions and income tax can not exceed 85% of revenues). In 2012, the cap will no longer exist.

It is also that next year will apply the new scale of ISF. The assets of between 1.3 and 3 million will be taxed at 0.25% and beyond 3 million at 0.5%. But the tax will no longer increments.

2 million households with wealth pay 5000 euros to ISF (2,000,000 multiplied by 0.25%) and with 4 million euros of assets 20 000 EWB (4,000,000 multiplied by 0.5%). Next year, households with between 1.3 and 3 million of assets no longer meet reporting ISF: they will show their heritage in a special box on their tax return. Only taxpayers with more than 3 million of goods will continue to make their declaration of wealth tax, to make the June 15, 2012.

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Lagarde calls for collective action - September 14, 2011

Christine Lagarde calls on rich countries to take action to avoid the risk of recession. "Those who have the fiscal space should support growth," said she, thinking probably in the United States, provided they undertake to reduce their deficits also sustainable in the medium and long term.

But the executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who received Tuesday in his new office in Washington a few journalists, mainly discussed the situation in Europe. "The time for action, collective action, bold action and immediate action" said the former French Minister. "My role is to ensure that this call to action is heard," an implicit reference to the frustration of many in the IMF, but also in the markets, given the way in which European countries are reluctant to take unpopular measures to save the euro."I can not think that governments do not share my opinion," she says diplomatically.

His call to action includes both the need for countries like Greece and Italy to adopt measures for compelling the markets and stick to it. For some it is better to collect such tax revenues, for others to reform the state to better utilize resources. Announced and voting reform is necessary, but everything is in "implementation, implementation, implementation, she repeated three times, it is only that way that market confidence can return "

Greek sacrifices

But his call is also likely that Germany seems reluctant on the need to persevere in the implementation of plans designed to aid in Athens by the European Union, the ECB and the IMF.The context of the commentary Christine Lagarde, namely the conversation expected in the coming hours between Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy and George Papandreou, is crucial. The IMF wants surely as German pressure on Greece to be productive, so that the deficit reduction commitments are kept. But the IMF also wants the Greek sacrifices and new adjustments decided by George Papandreou will be rewarded with the continued support of the first countries in the euro zone to avoid a default that would have significant systemic implications.

On the controversial issue of the urgent need to increase the equity of European banks, Christine Lagarde has wanted to avoid adding fuel to the fire. Distrust of markets that precipitated sharp falls in the prices of banks reflects a serious crisis of confidence."We are close to an open banking crisis" such as Judge Mohamed El-Erian, head of PIMCO, one of the largest investment funds in the world.

Calling Christine Lagarde late August to urgent recapitalization of banks, if necessary with public funds, was poorly received by the European authorities. "I do not back down. But I return to the reasons why the IMF thinks so. We have two objectives: growth and employment. Or to feed growth and create jobs, we need credit … it is necessary that banks' balance sheets are healthy … do not fear the crisis of sovereign debt will result in a too fast and that banks limit their lending to the economy, "said the CEO. This is also now late in the day that the institution will release its persectives the global economy.

Meanwhile, she prepares the next week the annual meetings of IMF member countries and the World Bank. The former French Minister of Economy said "not to have changed since moving to the IMF … but I changed my perspective … I see things differently. Since this post I see more interconnections between countries and I see better what countries have an interest to act collectively in the interest of the economy "rather than strictly individual interest.

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Concern about banks penalize the Paris Bourse - September 5, 2011

The CAC 40 plunges into the red Monday. The benchmark index of the Paris Stock Exchange, which closed Friday on the day of a severe fall of 3.6%, falling 3.64% to 3037.72 points in mid-session after opening down 2.41% to 3072.51 points. The movement is the same in the rest of Europe in London, the FTSE-100 index lost 1.90%, in Frankfurt the Dax was down 2.96%. Madrid and Milan unleash respectively 3.09% and 3.04%.

The health of European banks up to the center of attention. The President of the French Banking Federation (FBF), François Perol, recognizes this Monday, in an interview with Les Echos, that if "bank liquidity in euro is not a problem," "the dollar is more refinancing tense. "Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, in turn repeats, in an interview published Monday in Germany, criticized the request of a European bank recapitalization. "We think in general it is necessary to recapitalize European banks so that they are strong enough to withstand the risks associated with the debt crisis and low growth," she told the weekly Der Spiegel.

The chief executive of Deutsche Bank, Josef Ackermann, in turn, poured oil on the fire by saying that some European banks would not survive if they were to reassess the sovereign debt of their accounts at market price.Recapitalization forced the European banking sector could in turn send the wrong signal to markets, in this case the loss of faith on the part of authorities in the ability of measures to succeed, however, said Josef Ackermann .

Societe Generale lost 7.96% to 20.40 euros (largest decrease in the ACC). The bank is also penalized by the U.S. federal agency oversight of mortgage that has filed a complaint Friday against 17 major international financial institutions which include the French bank, for a total loss of $ 41 billion in bonds linked to subprime .

In its wake, BNP Paribas lost 7.33% to 30.97 euros, Crédit Agricole 6.22% to 5.80 euros and 4.85% at Axa 10.01 euros. Natixis lost 5.05% to 2.57 euros.The aerospace equipment Safran (-2.78% to 26.25 euros) will make its entry into the CAC 40 index, while the bank Natixis is about to leave, said Friday the Scientific Council of the indices of NYSE Euronext. The changes take effect Sept. 19.

Bad signals on growth

In addition to banking problems, the first global economy has fueled fears of a global slowdown by announcing Friday it had no jobs created in August. Following this announcement, Wall Street closed on a sharp drop of more than 2%. U.S. markets will do on Monday with European stock any procedure they will remain closed for Labor Day (Labor Day observed every first Monday of September)."Wall Street remains closed doors, it seems unlikely that operators take the slightest risk," said Chris Weston, an analyst at IG Markets.

In China, HSBC index of purchasing managers in the Chinese sector services slowed to an unprecedented low in August. Seasonally adjusted and calculated by the Institute Markit, it fell to 50.6 after 53.5 in July

No other indicator may move the indices are expected on Monday. One highlight of the week will be the release of the Beige Book Fed on Wednesday night, which will be the summary of economic conditions in regions in the United States no fax payday advance.

No recession expected in Europe

The side of the euro area, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, has tried to reassure investors.Traveling in Australia, he said that the European economy would experience in the coming months a "moderate growth" without going into recession. "We do not anticipate a recession in Europe. The latest forecasts from the European Commission show that the growth will be at the meeting, although this growth will be moderate, it is true, "he said in Sydney.

Markit, the company that carries out the PMI, however, said on Monday that growth in private activity in the euro area slowed more than expected in August, falling to its lowest level in two years, reinforcing fears of a return to recession by the end of 2011. The composite index, which summarizes the activity in the service sector and manufacturing fell to 50.7 points against 51.1 points in July, according to a second estimate.

For his part, Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank said it is "imperative" to implement the decisions taken by Heads of State and Government of the euro zone in July to resolve the debt crisis.

The euro fell to 1.4127 dollars, its lowest level in three weeks. For their part, oil prices were down in electronic trading in Asia, depressed by the poor figures on employment in the United States. A barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October lost 59 cents to 85.86 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery 74 cents to 111.59 dollars.Saft takes off

EDF: -2.77% to 20.37 euros

The Italian Minister of Industry, Paolo Romani, said Sunday he would meet Monday Proglio about the power company Edison.

ArcelorMittal: -4.67% to 13.46 euros

Peabody Energy and ArcelorMittal announced Monday it had extended until September 27, the period during which the short bid for $ 5 billion (3.53 billion euros) on the Australian Macarthur Coal.

Zodiac: -1.94% to 54.05 euros

The group said it had completed the acquisition of the American Heath Tecna and have reached an agreement with its banks to raise 300 million euros the amount of an existing credit line.

Schneider Electric: -6.01% to 41.35 euros

The French government intervened with the company to freeze a plan for the removal of one.000 temporary positions, the daily Liberation in its Monday edition, but the group has firmly denied to AFP such a plan.

Saft: 4.81% to 22.87 euros (largest increase in the SBF 120)

The American automotive supplier Johnson Controls will pay $ 145 million (102 million euros) to the French specialist in batteries as part of an amicable agreement ending their joint venture in the automotive industry, announced Friday the two groups in a joint statement.

Alstom: -5.16% to 29.21 euros

The group signed a 66 million euros with Iraq to build a power plant in the province of Nineveh in the north, said the Iraqi Minister of Electricity.

France Telecom: -1.67% to 12.36 euros

TPSA its Polish subsidiary has announced to contest the fine of 128 million euros that inflicted the European Commission.

After market, environment and Dried Assystem unveil their first-half results.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange does not move before the intervention of Bernanke - August 26, 2011

Caution on Asian stock markets Friday. And for good reason, investors are waiting with some anxiety the president's speech to the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke, the outlook for the U.S. economy. The markets had a first look Thursday with the increase in weekly jobless claims in the United States. They are very careful before publication at 14:30 (French time) the second estimate of GDP for the second quarter could be revised down by 0.2 point to 1.1%.

Meanwhile, the Asian financial centers are clearly hesitant and have not adopted the same direction. Thus, while the Nikkei in Tokyo Stock Exchange gleans some points (0.13%) to 8783.99 points, retreating Chinese stock markets: the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was down 0.21% to 19,710.10 points and the Shanghai CSI 300 lost 0.89% to 2877.99 points.

Japanese Prime Minister resigns

Also in Japan, criticized for his hesitation and awkwardness to the disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan, has resigned as chairman of the Democratic Party of Japan, according to media Japanese payday loans. And therefore of his duties as head of government.

On the macroeconomic front, the consumer prices in Japan rose 0.1% in July after a revised 0.2% decline in June.Analysts on average expected a further decline of 0.1%.

On the other Asian financial centers, the trend is mixed if the Taiwan TAIEX gains 0.40% at 7440.37 points, the Kospi in Seoul was up 0.47% to 1772.80 points, the BSE Sensex 30 advance 0 , 12% to 16,165.70 points, the S & P / ASX 200 was down 0.28% to 4200.90 points and the FTSE Straits Times lost 0.71% to 2746.10 points.

Oil not very active

Oil prices were mixed Friday morning during electronic trading in Asia, in a sluggish market, before the highly anticipated speech of the head of the U.S. central bank (Fed). In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gave 10 cents to 85.20 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery took 19 cents to 110.81 dollars.

Kodak's patents inflame lust - August 18, 2011

Many observers believe that Kodak missed the turn of the digital. The giant of photography at the age of 130 years, could now take his revenge with his key weapon: a portfolio of 1100 patents for digital imaging. These inflame the lusts of the giants of the computing and telephony, Apple to Microsoft via Research in Motion (RIM) – Blackberry's parent company – and Google, which multiply purchases in this sector to enhance the functionality their phones.

The phenomenon was illustrated recently by the acquisition for $ 12.5 billion, Motorola's Mobility by Google. An operation that allows the Internet giant to hand over a lucrative portfolio of nearly 17,000 patents telephone.In early July, a consortium led by Apple and Microsoft spent $ 4.5 billion to acquire the patents of the Canadian telecom equipment supplier Nortel for bankruptcy.

"Clearly, the ability to take pictures and send them to mobile devices is critical for manufacturers of smartphones, and Kodak may hold the key technologies that provide these services," said Paul Ausick, the financial website 24 / 7 Wall Street.

Kodak ready to sell

More operations and acquisitions are increasing the portfolio of Kodak takes the value. The financial firm MDB Capital, in an interview with the Bloomberg financial agency, has said the group's 1100 patents were worth, in today, nearly three billion dollars. All of Kodak's intellectual property would be five times the value of the company itself.The news panicked investors rushed to the title at the New York Stock Exchange yesterday. The action Eastman Kodak jumped 25.70% to 2.69 dollars.

Kodak, no question of missing the boat. According to the Wall Street Journal, the manufacturer of cameras "began promoting its portfolio this week, contacting companies that might be interested." Kodak said currently "explore strategic alternatives" for its patents.

When it is launched, the battle for the acquisition of these technologies will be tough. Kodak could play the card by removing the grudge he accuses Apple and RIM already violating its patents on technology for viewing photos on their iPhone and BlackBerry.

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The royal wedding impact growth - July 27, 2011

In London

It would be unfair to put all their back, but the marriage of Kate Middleton and Prince William has indeed drag on growth in the second quarter. The holiday offered to the British for the occasion has led to closures of factories, office buildings, helping to slow growth in the second quarter in Britain: 0.2% GDP growth, whichever comes first estimates published yesterday.

Other factors that have sealed-off growth: the heat of April, which reduced electricity consumption, and the drama of Fukushima, resulting in supply problems in the industry. Without these special events, growth reached 0.7%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The general view of economists, these figures are not brilliant but the disaster that some had predicted did not occur.The Economy Minister George Osborne is relieved: "The good news is that the UK economy continues to create growth and jobs." But the goal of annual growth of 1.7% is particularly difficult. Also believes the opposition does the government needs to soften its austerity policy: "These figures show that the return to growth has been strangled by the increase in VAT set up by George Osborne and lower costs budget, "said Ed Ball, a spokesman for Labour cash advance today.

"There is no plan B"

But it seems unlikely that the government changes its mind. "Our economy is stable right now because the government has taken tough decisions to take over the debt, Osborne continued. If we abandon this policy as some want, we will jeopardize the jobs and growth. "The Chancellor of the Exchequer is supported by the Liberal Democrat Minister of Commerce, that "there is no plan B. We must keep our commitment. " Vince Cable, that the Bank of England to support growth by easing monetary policy again.

Small encouraging sign: the sale of tickets for the Olympics began during the second quarter, but according to international conventions, will be counted in GDP at the time of the Games themselves, in a year. Alone it is 0.1 percentage point of growth, the ONS calculates.

EDF and Areva strengthen partnership - July 26, 2011

After months of tensions, the thaw begins between Areva and EDF. Luc Oursel, the president of the giant nuclear conducted this afternoon in his first official friendly in its factory in Saint-Marcel, near Chalon-sur-Saone, the chairman of EDF, Henri Proglio. The symbol is strong. And the two heavyweights of the team of France's nuclear formalized their merger by signing three agreements "technical and commercial." The event was announced by The Tribune before being confirmed by the Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, who also visited the site of Saône-et-Loire.

Luc Oursel assured wanting to "write a new page" in the history of relations between Areva and EDF. For its part, Proglio said that "Areva is intended to be a major partner of EDF".

Specifically, these agreements should help to clarify the relationship between the two groups.They focus on "the pursuit of optimizing the EPR, increased maintenance of the park" and "the strengthening of industrial cooperation on the storage of radioactive waste." Described as "historic in some ways" by Eric Besson on France Inter this morning, they aim to "ensure consistency throughout the French nuclear industry."

"A willingness to cooperate more»

A fourth agreement should focus on optimizing the third generation EPR reactor, improved maintenance and operation of existing nuclear plants, to prepare for extending the period of operation beyond 40 years and the management of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

The date of its signature was not specified, but it should occur in September, according to a promise of college participants in the meeting.Which will complete the strategic partnership, called by President Nicolas Sarkozy in July 2010.

The two companies also intend to continue discussions on the development of medium-power reactor Atmea, in which EDF would not participate. But these discussions will lead to another executive that the contracts mentioned Monday.

Another point of interest between the two groups that was you today, the assumption of an equity investment by the electrician in the future mining subsidiary of Areva is "neither foreseen nor ruled out," says Eric Besson. "There is a current subsidiary of the Areva mining activity that had been recorded and we will see who will enter the capital," he said. The latter, however, said on France Inter does not "feel" at Henri Proglio will "particular" to enter the capital of Areva."I feel from Proglio a willingness to cooperate more with Areva, what we today RECORDED agreements very important, but I do not feel particular pressure at home to enter the capital of Areva" said he. No details were given about not e the two leaders after their meeting.

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Publicis strengthens social networks - July 19, 2011

Publicis, the French media group, acquired 51% of the New York agency Big Fuel, specialized in communication on social networks. The agreement gives the public an opportunity to increase its stake to 100% from 2014, said the French communications giant. Big Fuel will join other agencies digital (Digitas, Razorfish …) Publicis in VivaKi.

Armed with 170 employees, Big Fuel shares many customers with Publicis, including General Motors, McDonald's, Microsoft or T-Mobile. The agency has grown 500% in 2010 and generated $ 10 million in sales. In 2011, its turnover is expected to reach $ 30 million.

For several months, multiple audiences, he, acquisitions, aiming to take 35% of its revenue from digital by 2013.He has already approached 30%, since the purchase in May, the U.S. interactive marketing group Rosetta.

According to research firm eMarketer, worldwide spending on social networks will reach nearly $ 6 billion this year, with $ 3.1 billion expected in the United States and 2.9 billion in the world.

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Viagra soon dethroned by a competitor - July 11, 2011

After years of it alone, Viagra, Pfizer's drug, to fight against impotence, will be joined and overtaken by its competitor, Cialis from Eli Lilly group. John Lechleiter, president, told the German press that Cialis would exceed the reference molecule, the number of prescriptions worldwide before the end of the year.

"In many markets such as France, Italy, South Africa and Australia, we are already with Cialis to Viagra," he said. According to the American College of Physicians, in 2020 some 322 million people worldwide may suffer from erectile dysfunction. In 2010, these treatments generated a turnover of 3.7 billion dollars, 2.6 billion euros.

How Facebook imposes its currency - July 8, 2011

Click the preview to enlarge the graphic.

This will be the next revolution Facebook. With nearly 750 million members, the social network is already in the shade to the e-mail to photo sharing sites like Flickr and Google. Today, Facebook is opening a new front, which could result in a "blitzkrieg" on the virtual economy. His weapon: a virtual currency, the Facebook Credits, poised to become the electronic purse of any user.

Launched quietly a year ago and a half, Facebook Credits are required on the site since July 1. Now any game publisher or service on Facebook to provide the currency of the site, in addition to its own virtual currency, like the FarmCash well known to fans of the game Farmville.Credits can be bought on the Facebook site with a card, a Paypal account, payment systems such as mobile Zong, even – as in the U.S. – via physical gift cards sold in supermarkets.

Major industrial

Facebook Credits against such exchange of virtual goods in games like Farmville, PyramidZ and Empires & Allies, or, as suggested by the film studio Warner, against VOD movies. In the U.S., fans of télécrochets as "X-Factor" and "American Idol" can be used to vote for their preferred candidates, replacing the virtual currency of Facebook to Premium SMS.Eventually, all things virtual – an mp3 download, buy a newspaper article online, a coupon obtained by locating in a shop with his mobile telephone minutes of … on Skype – could Facebook Credits currencies.

"The use of Facebook Credits is required, but not exclusive," nuance Codorniou Julien, director of partnerships Facebook France. "This includes the game, but the media as Warner Bros, music, video, box office. This will ensure the liquidity of the currency on all services, "explains Julien Codorniou.Specifically, "consumers will increasingly lead the Facebook FarmCash Credits and less" analysis Michaël Amar, CEO and cofounder of Ifeelgoods, a U.S. company that provides e-merchants to offer Facebook in place of Credits vouchers to their customers.

For Facebook, the Credits are an industrial issue. In fact, each editor service that offers its users to pay Facebook Credits reverse 30% of the value of the transaction of the social network. For example, on a rented movie for 30 Credits Facebook, or 3 dollars, by a user, Warner will donate 90 cents to Facebook. These commissions will quickly become an important part of revenue from Facebook. "We want to go as soon as possible and as widely as possible to diversify our revenue," said Julien Codorniou.Already, sales are "significant" for Facebook, which still generates most of its revenue through advertising. To get an idea, just look at the business volume of Zynga, a major partner of Facebook and subject, like others, to pay the 30% commission, the publisher has made 850 million euros sales in 2010. Its revenues are expected to reach $ 1.5 billion in 2011.

Social games

It's not for nothing that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and cofounder of Facebook, has made the article social game publishers during his visit to Paris in late May for the e-G8: "The game publishers have found that people preferred to play where their friends are Zynga and imported the social dimension in the game Why gaming is gone first? Because it is a very social experience at first.I think that other media will follow as music, newspapers, books, "he said.

For now, Facebook provides not want to conquer the physical properties of electronic commerce with its virtual currency. In shops in Facebook, the social network rather "Facebook experience on third party sites." "In the coming months will spread features such as" Shop with friends "(buy with friends), Julien Codorniou details. This is not to create shops on Facebook, but to bring its online store friends of the people. "These purchases on the site of a merchant with his Facebook identity will feed the basis of information available to the social network members, and facilitate its advertising sales.

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