The French shun savings products they preferred. A booklet after earlier this week, it's life insurance to take stock bleak for the month of October. The French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA) has published figures from the Sunday collection. Last month it dropped from 16% to 9.1 billion euros. The amount of contributions collected in the first 10 months of 2011 amounted to 107 billion euros, down 12% over the same period of the year.
Worse, the agency confirmed that the withdrawals were higher than inflows. In October, the balance is negative to the tune of 1.4 billion euros. It is, indeed, a little less bad than a month earlier. In September, withdrawals have exceeded payments of more than 1.8 billion euros.But above all it confirms that life insurance through a bad patch with unprecedented for the first time two consecutive months of negative collection cash advance america.
Questioned by AFP, the FFSA wants to be reassuring. "Let us not forget that these are data points. If you look from the beginning of the vision is very different, "cautions Bernard Spitz, President of the FFSA, underlining that the payments exceed 17.7 billion euros withdrawals in the first ten months of 2011 . A figure that compared to last year's data with the same period, however, shows a precipitous drop of 63%, the statement of the FFSA.
Pensions of baby boomers
These results reflect a combination never seen before, the structural and cyclical factors unfavorable. Life insurance suffers from the retirement of baby boomers. These offset the drop in income by drawing on their life insurance.
It is the opinion more dangerous than others. That the member Martine PS Martinel just given to the Committee of Cultural Affairs as part of the passing of the Finance Act, sets fire to the powder in public broadcasting. Requires pre-election period, no doubt, is the set of reforms since 2008 who is harshly criticized, whether that of France Television as Audiovisual outside France (AEF). Even the men who are now in place are not immune to criticism. Little detailed review:
As for the AEF, the report by Martine Martinel denounces the "unrealistic financial trajectory proposed by the AEF and accepted by a confidence that can be described as blind by the State." Particularly with regard to advertising. "This led the AEF has requested a budget increase in 2011."MP sees this as the main cause of the lack of perspective of the state as the group itself that led the General Inspectorate of Finance to intervene in the summer. However, the member is concerned that "the national representation there is still no access."
It also criticized the management of the CEO, Alain de Pouzilhac, saying "the list of errors of management is already long enough and sufficient breach of trust used to put an end to the appointment of Mr. Alain de Pouzilhac ".
In the process, the MP also questions "the merger of RFI and France 24, it considers reform conducted forced march and which neither the need nor the utility are proven." However, Martine Ravinel advocates rapprochement between France and the 24 public group France Televisions.
France Televisions, however, is not immune to the report of the Socialist MEP.The latter believes that the 2008 reform has been to reduce advertising on France Televisions has a balance sheet "very negative". She asserts that the reform had a "zero impact of the abolition of advertising on the audience." It also is concerned "to a funding threatened and does not guarantee the necessary visibility to the group" as the organization itself of the company. It is particularly cautioned the government against "a lack of reference to employees" within the "single undertaking". Finally, Martine Martinel denounced at once "no channel dedicated to youth" and the need to "modernize France 3".
Explosive, this report could nullify in advance of the Commission's thinking on foreign broadcasting, chaired by MP Michèle Tabarot UMP. Yet its members do not want to change the schedule."Before giving our conclusions, we firstly audition Alain Juppe, foreign minister, who said he wanted to get involved in the matter, but also about the findings of the Inspectorate General of Finance," says Christian Kert , UMP deputy of Bouches du Rhone.
However, the options are continuing to clarify:
-Members of the opposition and the majority still stand on the issue of the merger of France 24 and RFI, as the two solutions would they be supported and at the discretion of the government.
-Governance structures to isolate the CEO of the AEF of different operational functions to avoid a repetition of the pattern Pouzilhac / Ockrent.
-The Commission may recommend synergies in terms of content between France Television and France 24.In this case, France Televisions could be invited to the board of the AEF.
-Finally, the Commission could recommend only the tutelage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This is the week of Nov. 24 that the Commission could then make its own report.
The UMP deputies know that the growth forecast (1.75%) on which the draft budget for 2012 is revised downwards, and a new train of savings 5-7000000000 necessary, in addition to 11 billion already planned for next year. "The 2012 budget is credible, but it can be denied by a significant slowdown in growth," Analysis Louis Giscard d'Estaing. The Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Assembly recalls that "the time of the government of Lionel Jospin, it was the logic of the cicada, while in Germany Gerhard Schröder had imposed a cure without reduction of wage restraint working time, in line with the ant. But the wind is coming … "says the deputy of Puy de Dome, paraphrasing the fable of La Fontaine.Vice President of the National Assembly warned the Socialists: "Those who would maintain the idea that there is room for maneuver in the reuse of public spending, as does Francois Hollande, would directly threaten the notation France and our ability to deleverage. "
However, Louis Giscard d'Estaing is convinced that there is still food for thought in the financing of 35 hours. He will file an amendment in the bill funding the Social Security (PLFSS) for further reduce the limit on exemptions from employer contributions on wages at 1.5 times the minimum wage (currently against 1.6). Which would represent just over one billion euros in savings, if the measure comes into force on 1 January. He even suggested to lower the ceiling to 1.4 times the minimum wage in July 2012 to "give companies time to adjust."The UMP also suggests to "a general movement of the plane of the allocations to the operators of the state" by reducing them to 3% in 2012 payday advance lenders.
"Do not replace two staff on three"
In this area, Hervé Mariton (UMP, Drôme) also proposes to "ease the regulations that impact cost." Other proposals of the Liberal "not to replace two of three officials" and "examining investments less profitable," particularly in the area of infrastructure. "Do not panic about short-term savings. We will be judged on the strength and seriousness of a savings plan in the long term, "said Mariton. Special Rapporteur of the mission work jobs, Chantal Brunel (UMP, Seine-et-Marne) will propose to leave the tax deduction on home jobs "all leisure activities and relaxation."Isabelle Vasseur (UMP, Aisne), Rapporteur of the Finance Committee on Social Security Financing Bill, will propose this afternoon the establishment of "prevention, source of major savings in health" she assures.
The former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Jean Arthuis think we need to "reduce the amount of grants to local authorities" and "to lower executive compensation operators of the state." Former budget minister, Dominique Bussereau is more cautious: "We are still on the bone. The revision of public policies (RGPP) was very effective, so that the state is under-Box at the local level, "says he.
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The G20, which takes care of everything but no matter what, is interested. At their summit on 15 October in Paris, the central bankers of major economies in the world have endorsed the charter "consumer products and financial services." This text prepared by the OECD focuses "on the effort of education and awareness of financial issues," the general public.
The debate rages in the United States since the mortgage crisis "subprime" that erupted in 2007, putting the straw millions of Americans. Already 7.6 million families were divested of their homes, unable to meet their deadlines bank, and additional 7.4 million expected to be dislodged by 2016, the consultant provides Housing Predictor.This disaster certainly responsible for financial institutions that have dangled their customers become unbearable when mortgage interest rates began to climb. But as a last resort should we not blame the naivete and ignorance of borrowers unable to understand what they were doing?
President Obama has made it a priority that "Americans have the skills to effectively manage their disposable income and guard against deceptive practices and predatory." It is in these terms that the White House, with a "Council for Financial literacy" (financial literacy), decreed that April is "National Financial Literacy Month." One way to educate the public each spring operational introduction to finance more and more overseas.Even the Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) devotes part of its website with practical advice for a wide popular audience.
There is much to do. According to a survey conducted by FINRA (Investor Education Foundation), 68% of households have no personal events to finance as predictable as retirement or education for their children. And only 49% of households have "sufficient funds to cover the expenses of three months in case of illness, unemployment."
Carelessness or incompetence? "Most Americans lack the basic numeracy skills and knowledge of basic economic principles, such as the mechanisms of inflation, risk diversification, and the relationship between interest rates and financial asset prices "said Annamaria Lusardi economist, the George Washington School of Business.He has just published a series of studies on the subject.
This decision is based on a strict set of five test questions contained in the survey FINRA and here are the results. Thus only 65% of respondents answered correctly that "a capital of $ 100, paid 2% per year, worth over 102 dollars in five years overnight pay day loans." Similarly 64% understand that "if inflation is 2% and the returns on their savings by 1%, their capital will be worth less in a year." Only 21% know that the price of a bond decreases mechanically when interest rates rise in the market. This is the question most cotton test: the Financial Times noted for its readership "high end" has to explain every time the mechanism in its reporting of the market.In contrast, 70% of Americans know that "a fifteen-year loan requires monthly payments higher than a loan of thirty years, but that all interest paid over the life of the loan will be lower." They are, however, that 52% believed that the purchase of a share of one company is necessarily more risky than the subscription of shares of mutual funds in shares. In total "less than 10% of Americans are able to correctly answer all five questions," said Annamaria Lusardi.
The French should not make fun of poor performance. The Institute for Financial Literacy public (IEFP), established in 2006 at the initiative of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF), is about to publish a similar survey conducted in the Hexagon. However the results appear even worse, can we prevent the IEFP.
The issue is probably lower in France.The balance of PAYG pensions and group health insurance does not appeal to individual decisions. Besides the French are much less indebted than their cousins across the Atlantic.
Weaknesses in the calculation are the best thing in the world shared. Luc Chatel, Minister of Education and Xavier Darcos, his predecessor, did they not been trapped on television to have a mistake in a rule of three? This rule of proportionality, it is nevertheless essential to know the place to convert into euros the amounts in dollars! While it is fashionable to "be angry with the figures," while no one admits not knowing how to read. "Everyone complains of his memory, and no one complains of his trial," said La Rochefoucauld.Failing to properly count unfortunately causes the tragic misjudgment we know, both for households and for states. Hence the saying advisors financial products, worthy of the name: "It must be understood before taking."
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The applications are increasing in the resumption of Swiss France Telecom. In any case, think they know what the Echoes, which announced Friday the opening match of Xavier Niel in the race for the resumption of the Helvetic subsidiary of the French operator. According to the newspaper, the co-buyer of the World with Pierre Bergé and Matthew Pigasse, have filed an application for the acquisition of the asset, the group wants to get rid Stéphane Richard since late July. Announced during half-year results, this operation should yield between 1.5 and 2 billion euros to France Telecom. Or so hopes in the group.
Despite the difficult conditions of funding and the increased reluctance of banks, the French operator has not given up the sale. The facts seem to prove him right, a dozen candidates who have passed the process of selling the asset.But the arrival of Xavier Niel somewhat diversified profile of potential buyers. So far, the majority of applications related investment funds: Apax, Providence, EQT, Bain Capital, Liberty Global, Doughty Hanson and Carlyle separately and Altice, Numéricable shareholders.
Support of Goldman Sachs
Xavier Niel, the head of the Iliad, the 297th ranked Fortune Global Forbes, meanwhile intervene personally. The Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris politician, former CEO of the operator Orascom is also in the race. Faced with these heavyweights of finance, the French entrepreneur has joined forces with the U.S. bank Goldman Sachs, report echoes.
"At 2 billion Swiss francs (1.6 billion euros, Ed), Orange Switzerland is valued six times its gross operating profit on the stock exchange more than 3.8 times that of France Telecom," the daily explains.A premium is explained by the fact that the sale of Orange Switzerland is the only major operation in progress on the Old Continent now, and that France Telecom has commissioned ahead of banks, including Credit Suisse, HSBC, JP Morgan, to prepare a financing plan ahead in order to facilitate the implementation of the operation.
At the second round of bidding, all filings seem to hold the interest of the French operator, since no application has yet been ruled out.
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The new windfall tax on high incomes that night passed in the Assembly she will enhance the effectiveness of tax? In fact, the interplay of tax loopholes and the architecture of the tax still allows the wealthy to cancel their taxes. According to "the latest data, covering the tax paid this year as revenue in 2010," cited by Les Echos, nearly 5,000 high earners have completely cleared their taxes this year.
Thus, 4800 households taxed at the last tax bracket of 41% and thus have a taxable income of more than 70,830 euros have erased their income tax by the interplay of tax loopholes. 6497 they were last year.Meanwhile, more than 9,000 tax households have reduced their tax between 70% and 100%, according to the report on the 2012 budget Gilles Carrez quoted as saying.
In addition, the report finds that the member tax is proportionally lower in high-tax scale. Thus, households last year at the head of a benchmark tax income of more than 500,000 euros per share had a tax rate of 26% against 28.5% for those earning over 250,000 euros per unit cash advances pay day loan. The explanation is simple: the wealthy derive most of their income from capital is taxed less than income from wages.
The new tax on high incomes should correct these inequities. The tax households reporting between 250,000 and 500,000 euros will pay a tax of 3% and those reporting more than 500,000 of 4%.
But the very high income should continue to be taxed proportionately less.Liliane Bettencourt spends less than 15% of its income for tax purposes against nearly 30% on average for a living part of his work, recently castigated the PS deputy Pierre-Alain Mute. And on the other side of the Atlantic, Warren Buffett has built his own case as a symbol. The latter is crusading for the adoption of a tax on high incomes in the U.S. revealed to have paid $ 6.9 million in taxes, a rate of 17.4% of its taxable income.
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New stage in the European debt crisis, and new Franco-German opposition. While European banks are under attack by the markets, in turn infected by the debt crisis, the solutions to help them divide France and Germany. To resolve this dispute, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Sunday invited French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Paris wants the relief mechanism of the European Union, the European Financial Stability (EFSF) to recapitalize banks. Powered by the 17 countries of the euro area (except those receiving assistance such as Greece, Portugal and Ireland), the EFSF will see its powers expanded by the end of October.
According to Handelsblatt, Paris calls for the widest possible interpretation of the new European instruments: the buyback of indebted countries, designed to calm the markets, and the granting of funds to states to recapitalize banks. The German government, whose latitude is narrower because of the great power of Parliament, fiercely opposed to this "laissez-faire," according to the German newspaper. First contributor to EFSF, Germany would find itself more to the de facto finance a large part of the recapitalization of French banks …
Roles reversed
For this new act of the debt crisis, the roles are reversed this time. France has always, until now, prompted Germany to act. But now, if Paris believes that the recapitalization of banks is not a priority, we think differently in Berlin paydayloans.Thursday, Angela Merkel has stated that it "should not hesitate" to bail out institutions. However, she said, public support should be used rarely if institutions fail to build on their own, for example by increasing their capital. The European Central Bank has sent the same message.
France, it has recognized the need to help the sector than lip service in recent days. "It will take more capital for banks," says one source close to the now government. It's the only concession made by France: it will take ultimately recapitalize institutions, not because they need is to restore investor confidence.French banks are most exposed in Europe to default risk in Greece or Italy.
Pre-aid to Greece
In this context, urges Germany, a strengthening of European banks is a preliminary step to a new rescue Greece, which should go through a deep discount debt securities of the country (advocated by Berlin). Clearly, the eurozone banks should agree to relieve Athens by abandoning much of their claims. Result, they should wipe heavy losses. Not to sink the stock market, they can not solve it without having increased their capital.
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Coffee breaks should be shorter now for the employees of Goldman Sachs in New York. In recent days, in fact, they have at their disposal coffee cups smaller than normal. The bank, which has embarked on an extensive program of savings $ 1.45 billion in mid-2012, estimates that reducing the size of the cups 35 cl at 29 he will save "thousands of dollars ". In the same vein, the machines "cashless" (to recharge with cash cards can be used to pay vending machines) are becoming increasingly rare in buildings. According to Goldman Sachs, it will pay less armored car to transport the money raised.
Other banks, Wall Street stars, also address their operating costs.The offices are less green and Morgan Stanley, which decided to cut the budget plant. "Every dollar not spent is a dollar that can be used for growth," says her boss wisely James Gorman. Bank of America canceled several expensive meeting, while Barclays will strictly monitor the bill for business phones for its employees.
Bonuses reduced and job cuts
More importantly, the impressive bonus paid out to employees at year end should be reduced. Although for the moment, the cumulative 65.69 billion dollars, set aside for this purpose in the first half by Citigroup, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, do not show it yet. In recent await the end of the fourth quarter before taking any decisions about it.
Saving measures will also affect employment installment payday loans.Goldman Sachs cuts and positions could not be about 3% of the workforce (1,000 people), as expected so far, but 5% of the total. Bank of America will eliminate 30,000 positions, JPMorgan Chase 3000.
A disastrous quarter
The time has come for U.S. investment banks to tighten their belt after a disastrous third quarter. The very poor stock market performance of major Wall Street banks over the period, characterized by loss of 16% to 49% over the period, illustrate the phenomenon.
The reason: the pressure around the debt crisis in Europe affects the banking sector on both sides of the Atlantic, the new cases of mergers and acquisitions and bond below the 2008/2009 levels, and economic slowdown in the U.S. and the euro area.Not to mention the always present impacts of the subprime crisis.
Symbol difficulties, Goldman Sachs is expected to announce on 18 October, its worst quarter since going public 12 years ago. The consensus of analysts now speak of an earnings per share of $ 1.35 (against 2.65 dollars a month ago), a loss of profitability of 50% over the year. Some even refer to a quarterly loss that the bank would be its first episode since the Lehman Brothers in 2008.
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"SPECIAL CRISIS: fear of debt
Since the beginning of the week, investors in Europe and the United States, is won over by a wave of optimism about the outcome of the crisis of sovereign debt. The CAC 40 jumped 5.74% on Tuesday to finish the session at 3023.38 points, aligning a third straight session rebound. Another encouraging sign is the trading volumes are recovering. Yesterday more than 4 billion changed hands on the great values of the Paris stock exchange.
Other major European markets rose in unison. The Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange gained 5.29% and 4.02% London FTSE. And the European indices, the Eurostoxx 50 was up 5.06%. "The anguish of Greece, who were greatly exaggerated, have finally subsided a bit," said one operator.A Wall Street as investors watch with great attention the developments of the rise of public finances in Europe, the relief was also needed. Sitting in the Dow Jones advanced 2.27% and the Nasdaq 2.18%.
"Investors have decided to give credit to European and international policy makers in their efforts to find ways to resolve the crisis of sovereign debt," explained economists broker Aurel BGC. There are "high hopes that one is engaged in the right direction towards resolving the debt crisis in Europe," agreed analysts at LBBW in Frankfurt. Other analysts, however, want to caution, as the strategists of the Crédit Mutuel-CIC who believe that the upturn may not last and that the rumors that stir the markets are certainly still "exaggerated."For them, the hypothesis of the expansion means the European support fund for countries in trouble (EFSF), which propels the securities of banks for several days, "does not solve the structural problems in Europe."
According to the spokesperson of European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn, Europe is considering strengthening the capacity of the European support fund for countries in trouble (EFSF). Rumors press also reported a proposed quadrupling of the Fund's lending capacity to 2000 billion euros. In turn, an official of the ECB, the Austrian Ewald Nowotny, did not rule out declines in interest rates in the euro area.But soon, the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble assured that Europeans had "no intention of bailing out" the EFSF and called the hypothesis of totally "stupid."
Absent for several weeks, the good news poured in yesterday from Europe and the United States.
On the Old Continent, first. Jean-Claude Juncker, the leader of the finance ministers of the euro area has confirmed the return of the troika, bringing the European Union, the ECB and the IMF, major donors of Greece, by Thursday Athens, which could allow the release of a new tranche of EUR 8 billion, which is vital for the country. At the same time discontent rises and Athens was again paralyzed Tuesday by a wave of strikes in public transport.
Good news also in the United States, in the still under close surveillance of the property.House prices in the twenty largest U.S. cities have stabilized in July, according to Case-Shiller survey.
In Paris, banking stocks, on the front line since the beginning of the sovereign debt crisis, have literally flown the hope of a breakthrough in the situation in Greece.
Societe Generale, had a spectacular end of the session, jumping nearly 17%. For its part, BNP Paribas was awarded 14.15% and Credit Agricole was up 13.10%.
Oil opened up in New York
The euro was weakening on Tuesday to below $ 1.35. In session, the euro stood at 1.3496 dollars, against 1.3523 dollars late Monday.He had fallen in session Monday to 1.3363 dollars, its lowest level since mid-January, prior to recover.
As for commodities, gold has recovered slightly this morning at 1640 dollars an ounce after declining over the last three sessions. Oil evolved soaring Tuesday at the opening in New York, driven by renewed optimism for the determination of the Europeans to resolve the debt crisis in the eurozone. On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery traded at 82.64 dollars, up by $ 2.40 at the close on Monday night.
From our special correspondent in Wroclaw.
The Europeans hoped "a dialogue between friends," the Americans had "no arrogance." Las. With the destabilization of markets and growing concern on both sides of the Atlantic, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, could not resist lecturing his seventeen counterparts in the euro area gathered Friday to Wroclaw (Poland).
The relief provided by five central banks – including the U.S. Fed – banks in the euro area will not long concealed the absence of concerted policy response to the crisis. On behalf of the Europeans, the President of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker declined projects Tim Geithner, citing "differences in approach with our American colleagues."Treasury Secretary, he has put his finger where the euro hurts: he publicly expressed concern "of the conflict between governments and the European Central Bank," a week after the sensational resignation of the Chief Economist of the ECB .
Barack Obama's America, soon launched a presidential campaign, fearing a collapse of Greece, a contagion to European banks and a possible fracture of the euro area. If the crisis deepens, it is the U.S. economy would suffer the backlash, shock reverse of that which had hit Europe after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.
The first message in Washing-ton is to push the Europeans to speak with one voice and act decisively. "Governments and the Central Bank should work together (…) to avoid catastrophic risks for financial markets," said Treasury Secretary.And he insists, denouncing the cacophony that destabilizes the common currency: "Everyone should also abstain from loose talk about the end of the euro area." Targeted: the proponents of expulsion from Greece …
Denial of a tax on financial transactions
The unprecedented invitation launched by Poland – host country because currently presiding the EU – Timothy Geithner had anything to embarrass, in turmoil, the finance ministers of the euro. We saw Baroin host the head of U.S. Treasury of a strong handshake in Wroclaw. But the Euro has carefully kept at a distance. He has not formally participated in the circle, but a "preliminary conversation" about an hour. Contrary to custom, he did not sent to journalists.To tell his truths to Europe, he preferred an audience of bankers in another part of town.
Some did not take gloves to say that Europe has no lessons to learn. The United States, collapsing under the deficits should put their own house, says the Belgian Didier Reynders. "America has nothing to dictate when the person refuses flatly our suggestions," added the Austrian Maria Fekter. It is true that Tim Geithner repeated Friday his opposition front to the tax on financial transactions carried to Paris, Berlin and Brussels.
Decisions deferred
For the second time in eight days, Treasury Secretary left Europe empty-handed. Friday, the Europeans have made a face at her suggestion to "leverage" means the EFSF, the bailout fund for countries of the euro in difficulty."This is not a subject that is discussed with a country outside the EU," Jean-Claude Juncker meant. Same end of inadmissibility of the American idea of supporting the growth of public funds "even a donkey does not stumble twice on the same stone, 'says Didier Reynders, convinced of the urgency to fight first against the deficits.
For the Americans as to Europeans, the European event in Wroclaw ends with a disturbing sense of incompleteness, even for emergencies. The Eurogroup has pushed to mid-October a decision on payment of 8 billion euros to Greece. He did not reach an agreement on guarantees that Finland requires Greece.
