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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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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Last month, the government has activated for the first time a special support fund created in late 2010 for the departments in need. The beneficiaries are seven departments (six rural) whose debt is massive, and revenues, almost entirely absorbed by the distribution of welfare. Hitherto considered the spoiled children of decentralization, regions require the State to review the financing of rail, now they consider "untenable" for their budgets low interest rate personal loans.

The alarm level is reached. In ten years, spending communities have increased by 60%, and local taxes, 45%! These figures are staggering.Whose fault? A lax politicians and poor managers who prefer to treat their customers (36,000 hiring officials last year when the state removed 34,000 positions)? The lack of political will of the state, hostage to local barons? Bankers incendiary? To have the heart net, Le Figaro Magazine has plunged into the accounts of local authorities, was shelled and analyzed partnered with the Thomas More Institute and Public Evaluation System.Inspiring!

"Cities: heat stroke on taxes (pdf)

"Departments: the weight of social spending (the Ain to the Haute-Garonne)

"Departments: the weight of social spending (the Gers in Puy-de-Dôme)

"Departments: the weight of social spending (in the Pyrenees-Atlantique to Val d'Oise)

"Region: always a sacred way of life

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"In the trap of toxic loans

After weeks of dithering, European leaders have taken in hand to avoid a collapse of the banking sector, weakened by the debt crisis, which brought down the French-Belgian group Dexia.The markets were also reassured by the publication of macroeconomic indicators in the U.S. exceeded expectations: job creation in the private sector and the ISM services.

On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday to maintain its 1.50% interest rate, reference the cost of credit in the euro zone, despite the sharp deterioration in the economic and financial crisis.

Meanwhile official figures of employment for the month of September in the United States to be published Friday, new jobless claims are slightly lift the United States during the last week of September, according to figures released Thursday in Washington by the Department of Labor.The Ministry has identified the deposit of 401,000 applications for unemployment benefits in the country from September 25 to October 1, adjusted for seasonal variations, or 1.5% over the previous week, which is consistent with the estimate of analysts.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro reached 1.3435 dollars (0.65%). On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery ended at 82 personal loans for bad credit.59 dollars, up 2.91 dollars compared to the previous day.

Apple has resisted despite the death of Steve Jobs

As for values, investors will have their eyes on the technology sector.

• Apple (-0.23% to 377.37 dollars) will remain particularly observed after the announcement of the demise of the group's founder Steve Jobs.

• Yahoo (-1.70% to 15.65 dollars) is the subject of new rumors of a possible bid from U.S. computer giant Microsoft, which had already in 2008 attempted to seize the group's internet America.

• Hewlett-Packard (4.99% to 25.05 dollars) should not make further major acquisitions in the software after the acquisition of Autonomy, according to statement from the group's new boss Meg Whitman cited by Reuters.

• Boeing (2.54% to 61.48 dollars) has received an order for $ 1.1 billion from Ethiopian Airlines for four Boeing 777 freighters.

• Gilead Sciences (1.28% to 39.65 dollars) has obtained a license agreement Boehringer Ingelheim for the exclusive rights to research, development and commercialization of an anti-integrase for the treatment of HIV.

• Marriott International (2.13% to 28.78 dollars) issued for the third quarter, earnings per share of $ 0.29, up 32% year on year. Turnover was 2.9 billion dollars against 2.6 billion last year. The revenue per available room key indicator in the hotel sector grew by 8.7% on a comparable basis, while prices rose by 5.3%.

The bell sound is little more optimistic in. The experts of the French subsidiary of the Danish bank focused their attention on the delays of politicians."Speeches are encouraging to reassure the markets a while but in the absence of concrete solutions, the downward trend should continue," they said in a note sent to clients. The same applies to the specialists of the broker, "no concrete steps have been taken and so it has not been made, the euro will continue to r suffered."

Repatriation of capital in dollars

With the strong underperformance of European markets, investors, especially American, have reduced the share of assets invested in European equities. The repatriation of capital cause lift the dollar against the euro.

The downward spiral is likely to continue in the fourth quarter. Earlier this year, Saxo Bank had made a bet of one euro to 1.15 dollar. This goal seemed absurd end of April (the euro now approaching $ 1.5) no longer is.In any case, the euro could be worth between 1.20 and $ 1.25 at the end of the year. In this zone, the euro would only return to its value in purchasing power parity further point out the experts. Some exporting companies that have had the good sense not to cover may already be rubbing their hands. This is the case in particular that benefits both an aircraft carrier cycle and a decline of the euro against the dollar.

It seems that the era of the strong euro against the dollar is behind us. For individuals, it is possible to speculate down on the euro-dollar by selling the currency pair in cash in a currency broker. It may also be wise to buy put options or put options due in March (for example). This strategy can multiply its earnings but does concern a limited part of a portfolio.The current movement is also favorable to purchases of dollar assets (U.S. real estate, stocks on Wall Street …).

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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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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.

Already, Valérie Pécresse asked the Directorate General for Modernization of the State to work on five priorities:

1 – Developing for priority services, personalized assistance to users during the process online (telephone, email, chat).

2 – Offer the user evaluation surveys on the Internet or mobile at the end of any administrative process.One way to take into account the voice of users and improve services according to their reactions.

3 – 5 Launch pilot projects on social media in the areas most relevant to the user: health, human services, education, employment and culture.

4 – Offer a mobile application offering users a personalized list of deadlines and the status of its efforts.

5 – Allow the user to present to the administration's vouchers via their mobile phone with a flash code (income tax, electricity bill and telecom).

While this report confirms the strategy implemented by the government in 2010, Valerie Pécresse welcomed the tangible results already achieved.

* 160 public websites have been consolidated or eliminated to improve the readability of the presence of the state line.End of 2011, the volume of websites of the state has been reduced by 50%. For greater efficiency.

* 2.5 million users have opened an account on the site mon.service-public.fr steps online.

* 76% of administrative procedures expected by most users have been dematerialized.

* The mobile phone version of the portal administration is now available (m.servicepublic.fr).

The Prancing Horse brand also provides for a new record this year by selling 7,000 cars, against 6,570 last year. Ferrari is also counting on a profit before tax "significant", following an increase of 23% in 2010 to 302 million euros. "I'm not worried because we have quality, exclusivity, a strong brand and innovative technology," said its president, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

It is the only one to be extremely confident.Rolls-Royce (BMW Group), whose boss, Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, said he was "optimistic" about prospects for its niche, also wants to exceed its historical performance of last year (2711 cars). The luxury brand will invest 11.4 million euros to expand its plant in Goodwood English and plans to increase its network from 85 to 100 outlets.

Buyers richer

Sales of the major European luxury brands (Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin) are expected to jump 19% this year to 28,100 vehicles, and increase by 13% in 2012, according to a study by IHS Automotive no checking account payday advance. "The rich are becoming richer, and the number of millionaires in emerging and growing. It is a very positive trend "for specialists in this niche, says Erich Hauser, an analyst at Credit Suisse agency quoted Bloomberg.For him, "should things go really bad" for the champions of this market find themselves in difficulty.

The ultra-premium segment should be able to pass through an economic downturn better than in the previous crisis, which saw sales of certain brands to collapse, says the CEO of Rolls-Royce. "This market is growing steadily since its low point in 2009" but "we are aware that there are risks," acknowledges, however, Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini's boss. But for now, the Italian brand of the Volkswagen group does not seem to fear a decline in the purchasing power of its wealthy clients. It will produce 20 Sesto Elemento for early 2013. Their price: 1.6 million euro.

In the euro area, the eyes will be on the ECB. Earlier this afternoon, President Jean-Claude Trichet, will make an announcement on rates. Unsurprisingly, they should remain at current levels, at 1.5%. But markets are waiting above him to book his views on the problems of sovereign debt.For now, it's time for calm on that front. Yesterday, the German Constitutional Court was reassurance by confirming plans to aid in the euro area. In France, the deputies approved the second bailout of Greece arrested on July 21. They are the first to start this procedure. The Italian Senate last night gave a green light to the first austerity plan of over 52 billion euros from the Berlusconi government, while Spain adopted its fiscal rule of thumb, as desired by Paris and Berlin.

The U.S. employment under the microscope

United States, several indicators of the health of the economy will fall during the session. Among them, the trade balance, weekly jobless claims and oil stocks.The consumer credit will be available after market in Europe.

Two discourses are also highly expected on Thursday, those of Ben Bernanke and Barack Obama. The Fed chief will speak at around 19 am, French time, the Economic Club of Minnesota. Investors await details about how the Fed intends to support the economy. This intervention will follow the publication yesterday of its Beige Book, which again reported a moderate growth. For his part, Bush will speak on Congress to 1 am, French time, on employment and growth. It should detail a plan for employment that would reach $ 300 billion, raised yesterday by the U.S. media.

In France, growth in employment has slowed

In France, INSEE announced that the dealer paid employment decelerated in the second quarter.Principally market sectors have created a total of 33,300 jobs over the period April to June, from 78,300 in the first three months of the year, an increase of 0.2% against 0.5% the previous quarter.

The trade deficit widened further in July, reaching 6.46 billion euros in seasonally adjusted data, weighed down by a rebound in imports, Customs officials said Thursday.

On the currency side, the euro fell again to 1.4063 dollar.Oil, he, rising as a result of the prolonged interruption of production in the Gulf of Mexico due to tropical storm: a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gained 41 cents to 89.75 dollars a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery takes 18 cents to 115.98 dollars in morning trading.

Values ​​to follow on Thursday

• Banking

Stress tests imposed on European banks have made "transparency and clarity" on the strength of their balance sheets, said Wednesday night a Treasury official in the United States free credit report and score.

Banks react well. Among the largest increases are CAC, Societe Generale (2.01% to 19.77 euros), BNP Paribas (1.94% to 32.25 euros), Credit Agricole (0.97 to 5%, 80 euros), Axa (0.80% to 10.10 euros) and Natixis (0.55% to 2.55 euros).

• EADS (-0.85% to 21.69 euros)

The group is ready to dip deep into a war chest of $ 16 billion (11.3 billion euros) to finance its expansion in the U.S. and is in preliminary discussions with several potential targets, said Wednesday its chief executive for North America.In addition, the European missile manufacturer MBDA, in part by EADS, would be forced to reduce its workforce by 400 jobs by 2015, according to La Tribune.

Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS, is also considering a third increase its production capacity in one of its scenarios for 2018 to meet demand, the success of the A320 Neo scarce slots delivery before 2020, The Tribune reported Thursday.

• TF1 (0.87% to 10.43 euros) and EuropaCorp (stable at 3.29 euros)

The two groups announced Wednesday the signing of a Framework Agreement for development to produce the series in English for television.

• Ipsos: -1.36% to 27.13 euros

The group has launched a capital increase in cash of approximately 200 million euros to finance the purchase of Synovate.

• GDF Suez: -0.22% to 20.44 euros

The group will transfer to the Italian ENI participation of 10.4% in gas fields in the North Sea to pay off debt, reported Thursday Les Echos.

• Technip: 2.06% to 67.25 euros

In consortium with National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), the group won a contract worth about $ 500 million for engineering, procurement and construction of the project Satah Full Field Development, a field located 200 km northwest of Abu Dhabi (UAE).

• Sanofi: 0.54% to 50.19 euros

Genzyme, the biotechnology laboratory of the U.S. bought by the French group, was unable to deliver its drug Fabrazyme in August, although it promised to doctors and patients to meet this deadline. U.S. regulators have made public Wednesday letters from Genzyme dated August 26 and 25 where the laboratory apologizes to its customers and for people with Fabry disease, a rare genetic disease, for "any confusion and disturbance "caused by the delay.

• France Telecom: 0.37% to 12.19 euros, Vivendi: -1.06% to 15.89 euros

The new tax passed by the government as part of the new austerity plan should give priority, penalize these two groups, according to Les Echos. France Telecom should be paid to these measures between 300 and 500 million.Vivendi would see him, his taxes increased from 250 to 400 million.

Next recommendation goes to Credit Suisse under-performance against neutral Ipsen (-0.41% to 22.85 euros). Societe Generale goes with the purchase of Biomerieux (2.09% to 71.40 euros).