The future ex-boss of employment center empty the bag - August 31, 2011

Testimony will or letter of resignation? Despite his categorical denials in the spring, including members of the executive, who asked, Christian Charpy is indeed to complete an account of his three years as general manager of employment center. Titled The head of employment, the book, Le Figaro has obtained a copy will be available Sept. 8. However, the Charpy mandate expires at the end of the year and the Minister of Employment, Xavier Bertrand, continues to make it clear publicly that his "exit" will be faster, last Thursday, he repeated again at Figaro . The contents of the book is likely to accelerate the movement …

While the employment center boss does not attack his name minister. But it strives, in a final chapter "to go further," to criticize one by one the thrusts of Xavier Bertrand instant payday loan.Doing so trades voltage (or those positions are filled) "alpha and omega of an employment policy reflects a restrictive vision of the situation well," Charpy loose. While Xavier Bertrand refused to increase the number it considers "necessary" to strengthen them. Employment center boss surprised "when the increases in the accompaniment of the retrenched, one can consider reducing the accompaniment of other job seekers." And find it ironic that "it reduces opportunities to verify the authenticity of acts of job search by reducing the monthly monitoring personal" when we want "to hunt fake unemployed."

"Showdown"

(Photo credits: Tallandier)

Irene could cost tens of billions - August 28, 2011

The bill may be steep Irene. The governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, has evaluated this Sunday on the NBC television network damage caused by Hurricane "billions of dollars, even tens of billions of dollars." According to an alternative estimate delivered by the consulting firm Kinetic analysis, the hardware cost of this storm is expected to rise between five and ten billion dollars, most likely around seven billion. Just to the North Carolina and South Carolina, two states already affected by the hurricane, the amount of losses expected to reach between 200 and 400 million.

Above all, this damage should be responsible in large measure to the State, businesses and individuals, when insurers should take on a lesser share of the burden, said Chuck Watson, one of the leaders of Kinetic Analysis told AFP."Most of the structural damage will be caused by the rising water because of rain and coastal flooding. Yet this type of damage is not covered by private insurance, "said he.

The same applies to losses caused by the cessation of activity in areas relevant to the coast, or the cost incurred by the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. Thus, New York, usually hectic, has been transformed this weekend into a ghost town, most shops have closed up shop and residents have been urged to stay home. But there is no damage reported, insurance should not pay a dime to compensate their members.

Insurers expected to be down

Insurance companies, however, should see their value fall Monday at the New York Stock Exchange.On Friday, insurers Allstate and Travelers had fallen to the lowest levels for two years, investors anticipate the costs incurred by the hurricane for those companies.

The amount of the invoice should still be less than initially estimated. Thus, Kinetic analysis was planned on Friday that a tornado could generate over 12 billion euros of damage if it hit New York at the height of its intensity. Finally, she was demoted to a mere tropical storm, with winds still 100 km / hour. These amounts are in any case of a different order of magnitude as the colossal damage of about $ 100 billion registered during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Wall Street ends week in the red - August 20, 2011

After a rebound during the session, Wall Street has finally caught up by letting the gloom hanging over global stock markets for two weeks at the close on Friday, the Dow Jones gives 1.57% to 10,818.48 points and the Nasdaq, dominated by technology loses 1.32 points 2341.86.

After opening in the red, the indices of New York had yet managed to climb briefly into the green. Before ending again in the red. Of all black this week, the Dow Jones lost 3.71% and the Nasdaq fell 6.53%.

This Friday, the NYSE has not been spared by the new storm that struck the European stock exchanges and which had already shaken the stock markets in Asia. Yesterday, as elsewhere, the New York Stock Exchange closed down a massive, affected by disappointing indicators released during the meeting confirming the poor performance of the U.S. economy.Moreover, operators, already worried by the economy of the euro area, were cooled by the large loan dollars awarded by the European Central Bank (ECB) to a bank in Europe, whose identity has not been revealed. This action has reinforced doubts about the ability of banks to refinance the region. The euro also declined against the dollar and is trading around 1.4290 dollars against 1.4319 on Thursday.

Finally, Morgan Stanley confirmed the fears of a global economic slowdown by scaling back its growth forecasts for 2011 and 2012. The bank also said the United States and Europe were "dangerously close to recession."

Evidence that the operators' confidence is at its lowest, gold, a safe haven par excellence, is powered from yesterday to new heights.On Friday, an ounce reached a new record in 1864 dollars after jumping up to 1867.30 dollars in the morning. For its part, a barrel of U.S. light crude oil, which fell 6% yesterday, still lost 12 cents Friday to 82.26 dollars a barrel. Over the whole week, he lost 3.12 dollars, or 3.65%, registering a fourth weekly loss in a row. Contracts on October Brent have lost them for their $ 1.63 to 108.62 dollars a barrel.

Values ​​of the day

On the corporate side, this session will be marked by a slump in Hewlett-Packard, which lost just over 20% to 23.60 dollars. The group published its results on Thursday lowered its annual forecast for the third consecutive time. It now expects an annual turnover of between 127.2 and 127.6 billion dollars, against a previous estimate of between 129 and 130 billion.The group, which has made a takeover offer for the British publisher of software Autonomy, has also announced plans to dispose of its business in personal computers. Another major surprise: HP goes out of business in the mobile, arresting the development of tablets and smartphones.

Bank of America (-1.14% to 6.93 dollars) will remove 3500 positions during the quarter, according to an internal document cited by Reuters.

Autodesk (-11.69% to 23.41 dollars) has reported a 6% increase in revenues in the second quarter and a net profit better than expected at 71.2 million euros, or 30 cents per share.

Gap (-8.61% to 10.67 dollars) on Thursday posted quarterly earnings above expectations of analysts, despite a decline in sales to a number of store.Net income for the group totaled $ 189 million (131.8 million), or 35 cents a share, against $ 234 million, or 36 cents per share a year earlier.

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Why Eurobonds are gaining ground - August 16, 2011

How to stop the contagion of the crisis of debt in the euro zone? European leaders are working on the subject while, after Greece, Ireland and Portugal, the budgets of Spain and Italy still worried. Among the options considered: Eurobonds. Berlin does not want to hear about it, Paris does not show much enthusiasm either. However, this proposal is increasingly cited as the most credible to stem the crisis.

What Eurobonds?

Eurobonds (in English or eurobonds) are bonds issued by all 17 Member States of the euro area and subscribed in their common name.The rate of these bonds would be an average for the various member countries, now very different depending on the health of national economies: while German interest rates to 10 stood at 2.62%, those of the Greece nearly 15%.

The creation of the Eurobond, which would mark a greater economic integration in the euro zone, would be to pool the debts of member countries.

What are their advantages?

"If there had been the 'Eurobonds', we would not have today's crisis," says the Italian Minister of Economy, Giulio Tremonti. Such titles would indeed to most indebted countries to borrow at rates lower than those applied to them today. And so break the current vicious circle: with interest rates high, they struggle to refinance markets.

Last week, the European Central Bank (ECB) has disbursed a record $ 22 billion of debt to buy Italian and Spanish, allowing a relaxation of bond yields. But for many, these measures are not sufficient and Eurobonds appear as the most credible to stop the contagion of the debt crisis.

Opposing their creation?

Germany refuses to discuss it. Berlin has in fact particularly low interest rates and would be the big loser of the pooling of European debts. She also fears that the Eurobond release the pressure on states to réquilibrer their finances. Germany wants a greater economic cooperation among member countries of the euro area and the creation of a European institution that would oversee the fiscal policy of each.

Hence the warning before the meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel on Tuesday afternoon: "We will not cover Eurobonds on our own because it is not, in our opinion, a way desirable or practicable" , said the spokesman of Chancellor allemande payday advance.La France also spoke against the Eurobonds.

"We have a common monetary policy and fiscal policy in each country individually," which results in different interest rates, and "as is the case, Eurobonds are not an option"

Has revived the debate?

The creation of Eurobonds is promoted by long-time supporters of federalism in Europe, including Jean-Claude Juncker.States who suffer from debt interest rates are higher, of course, too, this solution in a positive light.

But even in Germany, the idea seems to be gaining ground: the president of the association of German exporters (BGA), Anton Boerner, has taken a stand for the creation of European bonds, "We need it, and we needed quickly, "he said, calling for the introduction of" golden rules "budget to support their creation.The German daily Die Welt also reported this weekend that the German government began to consider the Eurobonds.

Britain, which has not adopted the euro, has also come out in favor of Eurobonds by the voice of his finance minister, George Osborne: it asked "institutions in the euro area to all that is necessary to maintain stability ", describing the disintegration of the euro as" economic disaster including the UK "." Solutions such as Eurobonds and other forms of security must now be considered seriously, "he added.

Other voices were heard recently in favor of it "Europe needs Eurobonds," said the investor George Soros in an article published Monday by the Financial Times: "Germany and Other countries have AAA in one way or another to create a system of Eurobonds. Otherwise, the euro will collapse. "

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Greece, a popular destination - August 14, 2011

The fall of 6.9% of GDP in the second quarter is not for nothing. While the empty streets of Athens with the approach of August 15, the Greeks are reluctant to take a vacation. According to a survey by the Consumers' Association, six out of ten Greeks will not go this year because of the crisis. Specifically, "46% do not go a week, and only 5% will go over two days," Gianna Karatyni analysis of the Consumers' Association. "Morale is not, but the wallet either. Now the Greeks think twice before leaving, especially when the price of ferry tickets, for example to go to Crete for a family of four with a car, is 600 euros, one quarter of household earnings. A luxury, "she says.

Yet the absence of the Greeks is not visible on the beaches of the islands of the Aegean Sea. And for good reason, this summer, tourists from around the world flock by the thousands.Travel agencies estimate that 20% increase in bookings compared to 2010. "The French are fighting the same record," adds Theodore Chartomatsidis, director of the Hellenic Tourism Office in Paris: "Applications abound every day with our services. The numbers prove it. There is, for now, an increase of at least 28% of French tourists in Greece this year, "says he. "That means they could exceed one million visitors, a figure that was the goal for three years. It is therefore encouraging because with few means of promotion, we have shown that there is another Greek than the economic crisis, like the food for example. The French responded immediately, in solidarity, above all, "he adds.

A safer country as Tunisia and Egypt

In the port of Piraeus, boats, coming and going in the islands of the Aegean Sea, are met.Karine, a French tourist, who came with family, preparing to embark for the island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese. Impressed by the number of travelers, she concluded that ultimately the economy will be beneficial to Greece: "I think people, especially the French, were frightened by the situation in Tunisia or Egypt. Greece remains a safe country, to which is attached without really knowing him. The holidays are enjoyable, even if sometimes small strikes, "said she. Like many tourists, Karine does not hide his desire to acquire a small house overlooking the sea "if prices fall with the crisis," she says. The property prices have not fallen but never mind, for some tourists, there is an incentive to come back next year.

The Greeks do not let themselves down so far.Some invade the beaches near the capital, while others go for short-haul and less expensive way, almost 30% of Greeks went beyond their prejudices to enjoy the beaches and rates of neighboring Albania.

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Asian stock markets in turmoil - August 8, 2011

The damage is limited. After the first weekend after the degradation of the sovereign rating of the United States by Standard's and Poor's, the world was afraid to wake up on Monday on a stock market crash. Certainly, Asian stock markets, first to start the week and give the trend, showing all this morning a marked decline of more than 2%. But the risk of a crash seems for the moment excluded.

In Tokyo, after opening down 1.40%, the Nikkei 225 for blue chips ended down 2.18% to 9097.56 points.La statement last night, the Japanese Minister of Finance Yoshihiko Noda, who has maintained confidence in the U.S. Treasury, was not enough to allay the concerns of investors. The Minister emphasized the mobilization of the European central bankers, a sign of awareness on the efforts to be undertaken.

More than 48 hours after the announcement that shook the world's largest economy, Asian investors have been partially sensitive to the political mobilization of the weekend, both of European leaders, who called for the adoption by the end of September the bailout of Greece on 21 July. But also that of the ECB, on Sunday night discussed a possible acquisition of Italian and Spanish debt, and the White House, which yesterday called for unity among Democrats and Republicans.

The yen is rebounding

Still, if the announcement of the degradation of the United States was somewhat expected in Asia, the timing chosen by Standard & Poor's has caught the markets, even after a weekend of reflection, continuing their descent into hell.In this context of concern about the state of European and American finance, the yen has tended to take some strength vis-à-vis the dollar and euro saving account payday loan. Around 4 o'clock, Paris time, the dollar was worth around 78.05 yen and the euro hovered on the other hand around 111.90 yen, the two displayed small decline vis-à-vis the Japanese currency. A phenomenon still unfavorable export values.

Other major Asian markets show a stronger decline in Tokyo. China, which was very critical this weekend against the failure of U.S. lawmakers to find a long-term solution to their debt problems, the tooth was also harder on the markets: the Hang Seng Hong Kong picks up 4.12% on Monday morning at 20,082.80 points while the Chinese CSI 300 lost 3.51% to 2795.64 points.Beijing is by far the largest holder of U.S. debt in the world with 1.16 trillion dollars of U.S. Treasury bills in the drawers.

Elsewhere in Asia, all places show a sharp decline. The KRX South Korean loose 3.45% to 7581.86 points, while the S & P / ASX 200 Australian loses 2.14% to 4017.60 points. A Bonbay, the BSE Sensex was down 2.60% to 16,855.60 points. Finally in Singapore, the FTSE Straits shows the largest decline (-4.14%) to 2870.92 points.

Oil continues to tumble

Moreover, in this context very uncertain about the strength of economic recovery, oil prices continued their steep decline on Monday morning in electronic trading in Asia. A barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery lost 2.59 dollars to 84.29 dollars.That of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery fell by 2.48 dollars to 106.89 dollars.

At the same time, gold has gone through the roof of 1700 dollars to 1704 dollars an ounce on the market in Hong Kong.

Facebook debauchery of the old Apple - August 3, 2011

Facebook announced Tuesday the acquisition of Push Pop Press, a publisher of books, multimedia touch pads co-founded by two former Apple Kimon Tsiteris and Mike Matas. Little known to the general public, the two men worked on the interface and software key on the iPhone and iPad.

Apple, Mike Matas has participated in the design of several interface elements of the iPhone, as the camera, the display of the battery and phone settings. Tsiteris with Kimon, he also worked on the mapping software for iPad."Mike Matas is responsible or has had responsibility for most of the best and most exuberant designs in recent times" at Apple, said the blogger John Gruber, familiar with the company.

Team Press Push Pop account other well-respected engineers in its ranks, as Austin Sarner, who worked for Sofa, publisher of software for Mac already bought in June by Facebook. On Twitter, the former head of the development of the implementation of Facebook for iPhone, Joe Hewitt, said he hoped "that the acquisitions of Pop Push Press and sofa style mean that Facebook is more like that of Apple that of Microsoft. "

An application for iPad

Facebook confirmed that some engineers Pop Push Press join its ranks, without specifying their assignment.Pop Push Press, who had noted earlier this year by publishing a book multimedia Al Gore for the iPad, will cease operations. "Facebook does not begin to publish electronic books, but the ideas and technology that are behind Push Pop Press will be integrated with Facebook," commented Mike Matas and Kimon Tsinteris. For example, to better present the interactive content, suggests the New York Times.

The future of Facebook application iPad was published in error last week.

SNCF advantage of the good tourist season in France - July 29, 2011

The political crisis of the Maghreb countries, boosting the number of tourists to France this summer, benefits the station. "We see a strong recovery in passenger traffic in France since mid-May," said David Azema, deputy director general strategy and corporate finance. After a difficult start to the year, hit by ongoing work on the network, the TGV of domestic activity recovered in the second quarter, with sales up 4.5% at end June The trend was more spread earlier this year. Throughout the first half, the station achieved a sales increase of 9.5% (6.1% at constant perimeter and constant exchange rates), to 16.3 billion euros. Firmly committed to a recovery plan of its accounts by 2015, it increased its operating margin to 8.4% (against 6.8% at end-June 2010). For the record, she has set a minimum of 10% in 2015."The accounts of the first half showed that we are on track, says David Azema. We do what we said, with the obsession of a return to a satisfactory level of profitability to cover investment needs essential to the quality of service and development. "

In one year, SNCF has stabilized its level of debt (8.7 billion euros) and increased its net profit group share of 478 million euros to 558 million, mainly due to the improvement in profit Financial.

The company is now able to self-finance 92% of its investment. During the first six months, it has invested 1.3 billion euros ($ 1.1 billion from its own funds). A 80%, this is the purchase of equipment (43 TER trains, 20 trains Francilien, 4 TGV trains, 26 locomotives …).

Portugal becomes a risky investment for Moody's - July 6, 2011

Greece occupies the minds of the rating agencies, but they do not forget Portugal. If the first could be lacking to believe Moody's or Standard & Poor's, the second concern. Moody's lowers in just four clicks of the note term. "The deterioration in the context of adversity reveals the crisis of sovereign debt and vulnerabilities of the Portuguese economy," says the Ministry of Finance in a communiqué.L rating agency is the first American to relegate Portugal in the class of investments "speculative," that is to say, risky. Standard & Poor's and Fitch placed the rating of Portugal "BBB-" or one notch to the category of "speculative" that Greece currently holds.

The euro increases its losses against the dollar

Moody's did not trust the program "ambitious" in the words of the new government which includes to reduce the country's deficit from 9.1% to 5.9% this year and 3% by 2013. This is why the country must make a saving "a little over two billion euros," said Pedro Passos Coelho had. In addition to the "restructuring of public enterprises," the privatization program will be accelerated with the sale by September of public participation in groups electricians EDP and REN on line pay day loans. "The Moody's decision ignores the effects of the tax on extraordinary income, regrets the Ministry of Finance.This measure shows the government's determination to ensure the deficit targets for this year. "

While Greece is to receive 12 billion euros of fresh money and could get a new rescue plan 110 billion, Moody's says there is a good chance that Portugal needs a new aid in addition to 78 billion decided last May. But for that, like Greece, the rating agency points out that private sector participation would be required for the EU to come to the aid of Portugal. "Portugal might not be able to borrow on capital markets at a tolerable level before the second half of 2013 or even later," said Moody's.

While the U.S. markets did not react to this announcement, the euro accentuated its losses against the dollar, yielding 0.81% to 1.4423 dollar.

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The project's economic Sarkozy for 2012 - July 4, 2011

Nicolas Sarkozy will spend a studious summer. A few months ago, he has charge of informal working groups on topics floor (education, territories and sustainable development, economy and taxation, sovereign issues, social and health) that make up the backbone of the UMP candidate in the election présidentelle 2012 – himself, most likely!

These groups of experts (government officials, economists …) come after the first step. Each placed under the supervision of a consultant or former consultant of the Elysee, they will submit their ideas before the summer break with Bruno Le Maire. Which will compile and groom work for what will happen to the presidential draft.The group "economy and taxation", under the leadership of the Economic Adviser to the Head of State, Emmanuel Moulin (and involving senior officials and former de Bercy or the Elysée – Vincent Chriqui Centre for Strategic Analysis , Nicolas Calcoen today at Amundi, Bernard Delpit to the post office, etc..), has completed its proposals. These, contained in a document 54 pages – a note and fact sheets – which has acquired Le Figaro, were particularly aims to make France "a land of output and growth."

What remains for now a discussion paper accepts some ideas: no increase in the tax burden, tax system more "tailored" to strengthen the competitiveness of the country and a crop of some mechanisms that have resulted in "abuse during the crisis. "To address these three issues, which could form the basis of the discourse on tax policy – and should be "accompanied by a clear discourse on respect for the path of public finances set after the crisis" – the group work presents a series of proposals.

To put the economy at the service of production, experts recommend a reduction in social contributions on labor, with a device resembling a social VAT. The prospective candidate will be "persist on rigorous economic solution, but unattractive in view of lower employer contributions and VAT hike" or "dress reform a measure of purchasing power" by lowering premiums weighing on employees – an option that would nevertheless "a risk of inflation due to wage claims low fee pay day loans."

Minimum Tax

The increase in VAT will it take several forms: a general increase in the rate of 5 points, "the simplest measure to the highest yield" and / or establishing an intermediate rate, 8% example, to submit to all goods and services today at the reduced rate of 5.5%. The document also discusses the creation of a higher rate for some luxury goods (high-end cars, some jewelry, horses, tobacco, etc.).. The measure "would be symbolic for many French and would develop a discourse on tax justice," it said. It would also have the advantage of being "tax on land still largely untapped by the current government."

On the front of a tax document refers to "measures of fairness" and "a contribution of all": the introduction of a minimum tax and / or arrow (which would allow taxpayers to "decide the allocation of a fraction of the tax "), measures antidélocalisations, a balance between large and small companies corporation tax, etc.. Dismissing any "big night" on tax loopholes, the task force recommends, however, to continue the grooming started by the government.

Incidentally, the document provides a trial incompetence of the left and list the arguments to counter the key measures of the economic program of socialism.Experts speak out against the merger including the income tax with the CSG, "contrary to our values ​​and irresponsible," and against the withholding.

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