From our correspondent in Washington
American giants distribution keep their cool. The absolute record of purchases in one day is certainly to be beaten after the national holiday of Thanksgiving.
This Friday, malls and independent stores in the United States sold more than 11.4 billion worth of goods. But up from last year about 7% of purchases this Black Friday (known since the 1960 Black Friday in the sense of "black people") does not necessarily mean that the holiday season, crucial for annual profits of distributors, will be memorable. The purchasing power of Americans do not progressing. Only by drawing on their modest savings that households increased their spending in the fall.
To draw in their paths some 152 million Americans, most major retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy have dared to open their doors in the middle of the night from Thursday to Friday. Offering discounts up to 60%, they mobilized a group of customers eager to use after months of deprivation. Commerce online has participated in the movement also offering exceptional discounts. Friday and for 24 hours, Apple has reduced by 10% and the prices of its popular digital tablets. The net impact of these promotions on margins in the industry to be determined. Monday is called Cyber Monday.
Until recently, searching for
health insurance quotes was a rare occurrence, not only in the online world of private coverage providers but also among their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
Financial markets now include in their forecasts scenarios of "extreme risk" in Europe. Among these include a breakdown of the single currency, an outflow of Greece to the euro, but also larger countries such as Italy or Spain. The widening of spreads between countries in the euro area shows a clear divide between North and South. France is in the middle, but it looks more and more dangerously on the side of vulnerable countries instant payday loan.
The current political developments in key countries of the South do not seem to reassure markets. The departure of Silvio Berlusconi and his replacement as head of government by Mario Monti has not calmed the markets doubt the ability of the new chief executive to impose Italian program of deficit reduction required by the European Commission .
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 opening of a new generation of "palaces" some months apart, Le Royal Monceau (opened October 18, 2010), Shangri-La (December 17, 2010) and Mandarin Oriental (28 June 2011), has changed as ever the small world of luxury hotels in Paris, forcing the oldest palaces in a serious challenge. In this new context, the Ritz is not alone in having to close for repairs.
Reportedly, Le Crillon, recently sold by Starwood Capital to one of the descendants of the Saudi royal family, plans to close in the second half of 2012, probably for a period of two years. Management has already attacked the facade and roof, but not inside. The idea is to keep the French style, classic 18th, upgrading the hotel, he in turn can officially claim the distinction of "palace", introduced in May by the government.The hotel has no spa, no pool. The technical installations and the rooms have aged. According to a close case, the amount of work would be between 70 and 100 million euros. Not far from the Place de Concorde, the Plaza is also preparing for months of work, avenue Montaigne. "The Plaza Athénée will start the work of great importance following the acquisition of three buildings adjacent to the hotel last year, says Le Figaro Francois Delahaye, his boss cash advance no fax. These projects are planned for the end of 2012.Among the possibilities, a closure is planned for five months, from November 2012. "
According to Gabriel Matar, director of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels France, the average price of a night in a palace of between 750 and 1000 euros, "defending his position became increasingly difficult as competition comes from both new entrants and old, who spend millions to keep the quality of their product. " For the record, the George V was completely renovated between 1997 and 1999. "Otherwise, it would be today as the Royal Monceau and The Prince of Wales prior to closing," said Gabriel Matar."We currently have the best average revenue per room in Paris and we did not want to raise our market share by newcomers!" Says François Delahaye.
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The Deposit and Consignment Office now holds precisely 5.002% stake in Club Méditerranée, against 2% previously. Crossed a threshold in the financial management of the Fund that the judge attractive share price Club Med (13.40 euros, representing a market capitalization of 404 million euros, down 13% since the beginning of the year).
But the strengthening of the CDC, regarding the Club Med, a symbolic value. Between the public institution and the flagship of the French tourism, relations have always been close. In 2009, when Club Med was jostled by Bernard Tapie and various takeover rumors, the Deposit had dam, committing to purchase if necessary to a capital increase, finally buckled from other investors.Today, with 5% of the round, the CDC is involved in the consolidation of the company led by Henri Giscard d'Estaing.
Strategy carried out in several stages. Last year, the highlight had been the arrival of the Chinese Fo Sun, also a partner in the Club in the Middle Kingdom. The Deposit and Management of Morocco, also an industrial partner, is also installed in the capital. The French Caisse des Depots, for which tourism is a strategic activity, also maintains links with the business club, which it funds such as the site of Valmorel.
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The Paris Bourse after opening down slightly, trying to make a step forward after a session that saw the CAC 40 fly over 2%. In the morning, the CAC 40 in advance of 0.62% to 3249 points in early trade. Investors do not follow the mood on Wall Street yesterday and Asian markets this morning. The latter found confidence to the rhythm of advertisements European leaders on a plan to end the crisis. They particularly appreciate the position of the European Commission yesterday called for an urgent recapitalization of the banks deal with the debt crisis. Remarks relayed by the Minister of Budget Précresse Valerie, who, like Berlin, says it is "a necessity". France is willing to inject even said herself of public money to support its banks if necessary.
This commitment reflects a shift in the euro area on the Greek case.The taboo of failure is no longer excluded. The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso called for "decisive action on Greece" while German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said yesterday that the overall level of indebtedness of Greece should be reduced s' it reaches an unbearable level, "to provide better opportunities" in the country. The discount will have to accept that private investors in the second aid package to Greece adopted in July would be 39% if we used the current market prices to assess the risk profile of the country, instead of 21% estimated at the time, said yesterday an official of the Institute of International Finance (IIF).
New vote in Slovakia, the euro rises
Concerning the Relief Fund in the euro area (EFSF), which must be expanded to support the plan to end the crisis, Slovakia has promised another vote tonight or tomorrow.It should be positive this time because four opposition parties agreed to support the government in place, in exchange for early elections. These data give back to the euro insurance. The European currency found the threshold of $ 1.38 in morning trading.
Oil, however, is small decline: a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost 86 cents to 84.71 dollars. Barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery yielded nine cents to 111.27 dollars for the last trading day of the deadline. The operators claim to be concerned before the publication of figures on weekly petroleum reserves in the United States.Another indicator to the American agenda: the weekly jobless claims, trade balance and budget.
Values to follow Banks and cyclic form
The cyclical stocks such as Alcatel (9.9% to 2.2 euros) and Vallourec (3.32% to 48.90 euros) and the banks in the image of Societe Generale (2.92% at 23 , 84 euros), Credit Agricole (2.61% to 7.75 euros) or BNP Paribas (2.50% to 36.23 euros) always lead upward.
Total (-0.98% to 36.20 euros)
The oil company has discovered gas and oil off the coast of Norway, announced this morning the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. According to preliminary estimates, this discovery is to be between 19 million and 101 million barrels.To dig the well that led to this discovery, Total was allied with Norway's Statoil, authorities said.
Carrefour plunged 4.16% to 17.17 euros
The group launched Thursday a new warning on its results in 2011, relying now on a decline in operating income between 15% and 20%, 15% instead of the planned end of August.
Lafarge (2.28% to 29.62 euros)
The French cement company announced an asset swap with the U.S. Martin Marietta, which it will transfer the aggregates quarries and concrete plants ready and asphalt, in exchange for aggregate quarries and distribution sites .
Casino (1.98% to 62.71 euros)
The retailer saw its organic growth slowed in the third quarter with declining sales of its hypermarkets in France, but the group has confirmed its objectives for 2011 include the strengthening of its market share in the Hexagon and improving margins at Franprix-Leader Price.
Areva (0.72% 22.49 euros)
The consortium of the French group and Germany's Siemens called the Finnish operator Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) to engage in the path of cooperation with the approach the final stages of construction of the EPR reactor Olkiluoto 3 (OL3). The final cost of the EPR should be 6.6 billion euros, according to the member Marc Goua responsible for a report on the accounts of the group. Areva has also been licensed by the U.S. authorities to enable it to construct and operate an enrichment plant in Idaho.Finally, the boss of the group, Luc Oursel, raised the possibility "to smooth or to shift some investments to reduce risk and improve (the) financial situation"
ArcelorMittal (-0.38% to 14.47 euros)
The group decided to shut down two blast furnaces located near Liège in particular because of the deteriorating global economic situation, the financial daily reported on Wednesday Belgian L'Echo, information later confirmed by the unions.
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After two sessions of gains, the Paris Stock Exchange is divided into negative territory on Friday and so its losses widened in mid-session, the CAC40 index lost 1.28% to 3046, 20 points. London and Frankfurt follow with respective losses of 0.74% and 1.43%.
The banking sector raises again the concerns of investors. It emphasizes its losses from the statements of Christine Lagarde under which a liquidity crisis was not to dismiss as some banks needed additional capital. "This is the effect Lagarde. These statements primarily affect banks that are considered the least well placed in terms of capital ratios, "said one trader.
Result: mid-term, Societe Generale falling 6.66% to 18.21 euros and signed the largest decrease in the CAC.Behind her, Crédit Agricole loose 4.34% to 5.60 euros, Natixis 4.65% to 2.48 euros, BNP Paribas 3.77% to 31.01 euros and Axa 3.82% to 9.78 euros.
Obama's plan is not reassuring
Investors also unenthusiastic welcome details of the plan for employment unveiled by U.S. President Barack Obama in the night. He introduced a bill on the release of 447 billion dollars for the Americans out of unemployment. "This plan will give an electric shock to an economy that has stalled, will give confidence to businesses on the fact that if they invest and hire, there will be customers for their products and services," assured the U.S. president to members of Congress .
As in Asia this morning, traders seem to doubt the implementation of this plan. Its funding is already generating questions from Republican opponents could block a vote.Barack Obama urged them to adopt "immediately". The U.S. president also announced that it will issue on September 19 "a deficit reduction plan more ambitious."
As Wall Street yesterday, investors have also not appreciated the remarks of the President of the Federal Reserve on growth and jobs last night. The Fed "will do everything it can to participate in the return of growth and employment rates," said its chairman Ben Bernanke, minimizing inflation fears.This speech, however, feeds the assumption of a new effort of quantitative easing, which could be announced at the next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed, scheduled for September 20 and 21.
Inflation slows in China
Still on macroeconomic, Japan has this morning reported a decline of 2.1% of GDP in the second quarter 2011 annualized. This is more than the 1.3% decline initially estimated. The main factor weighing on GDP has been the decline in exports (-4.9% from January to March).
In China, rising consumer prices, the main barometer of inflation, which had accelerated in recent months, slowed slightly to 6 no teletrack payday loans.2% in August.Industrial production is she up 13.5% in August.
In France, industrial production rebounded 1.5% in July after a decline of similar magnitude in June, show statistics released Friday by INSEE. The budget deficit of the French government fell in late July to 86.6 billion euros, against 93.1 billion euros a year earlier, thanks to lower costs, said Friday the Department of Budget .
On the agenda are also on Friday, stocks of wholesalers in the United States. Are also expected in the afternoon, the first estimate of U.S. consumer confidence from the University of Michigan.
As for currencies, the euro hovers around $ 1.38, having dropped below the threshold for the first time in six months (1.3789 to 24:10 in Paris). Oil rises for its part, supported by a surprise drop in U.S. inventories.In early electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gained 23 cents to 89.28 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery 21 cents to 114.76 dollars.
Values to follow
• TF1 (-6.73%), M6 (-5.10%) Bolloré (3.63%) Vivendi (1.49%); NextRadioTV (-1.28%)
Chains react in a disorganized to take control of Direct 8 Direct and Star, two DTT channels free of the Bolloré Group, Canal +. The subsidiary of Vivendi will have three DTT frequencies. Be as much as TF1 and M6 more than the group which, in addition to the namesake chain, has only W9.For this operation, fully financed by shares, a stake Bolloré group Vivendi.
• Total (0.62%) signed the second largest increase after Vivendi CAC40 (1.55%)
The Anglo-Dutch oil group Shell said Friday that oil was discovered off the coast of French Guiana, during exploratory drilling at about 150 km off the coast.
• Sopra (0.70%)
The group announced the takeover of Delta, specialized in banking software.The transaction is expected to close in early October 2011, will be financed from existing credit lines of business consulting, IT services and software.
• Pierre & Vacances (-4.30%)
The group, which operates much of the accommodation ski resorts, opened 369 new tourist residences furnished this winter.
• ArcelorMittal (-4.30%)
The group will close as of October 3 for an indefinite period and the second blast furnace at its site in Florange (Moselle), according to a union source quoted by AFP.
• EADS (-0.16%) on the second step of the podium
The group said on Thursday not want to use all of its $ 16 billion (11.45 billion euros) in cash for acquisitions.
Pens, binders and notebooks just sold, the aisles are already crowded with bottles of wine. Casino at the wine fair began yesterday, Carrefour, Monoprix and Leaderprice follow today. The stakes are high for retailers: the event is about 10% of their annual sales within that radius.
While retailers feared a drop in consumption, the 2011 is again under the sign of exclusive regional, but especially low price. "More than six out of ten bottles will be offered to less than 6 euros," explains Stéphane Cathelain, head of wine fairs in the Casino Group stores (excluding Leaderprice, Franprix and Monoprix). The distributor, which doubles the operation of a fair whiskey, playing more than any other card of its private label wines with a score of "Club des Sommeliers Grand Reserve" a total of 450 brands, from 2 euros.
At Carrefour, the entry level is the same at 1.25 euros as the company has chosen to focus on the prize "this year". In hypermarkets, where 680 wines will be offered, "30% of the selection is less than 5 euros and 45% to less than 7 euros," explains the group. In supermarkets Carrefour Market, "the average bottle price is 6 euros." This argument should convince men-client type of the Wine Fair, to fill their baskets for 55 euros on average, at Carrefour.
"Two bottles purchased, offered a"
Leclerc also offers many affordable bottles from its 3000 references. The company, which invented the event in 1973, has seen its turnover grow Wine Fair from 8% last year to 80 million euros (12% of sales over the year).
Auchan, there are many "quality of the vintage 2009 to incite customers to buy," anticipates Olivier Mouchet, Group Head wines. Two-thirds of the offer (1200 references, up to 800 per store) will consist of wine this year. "For three years we have strengthened the promotions of the type bought two bottles, one offered. This offer is valid this year about a bottle of five, "said the official, adding that" the choice is our main argument. "
Last year, Auchan has achieved a turnover of 54 million euros, up 7%, representing 15% of sales over the year. This is double the grouping of the Musketeers, for which the event (45 million in sales) accounted for 8% of annual sales in 2010.
"Systeme U is" over-seller "of wine during the fairs, more than its share of food market over the period," said Emmanuel Podevin, the head of the national product of the wine brand. Rather than the lowest price, Système U emphasis this year on the value. The bottle sold in U at the Wine Fair is about twice as that sold during the year: 7 euros for the first, against about 3 euros for the second. The strategy has proven itself in 5 years, the turnover of the event has doubled in U system, reaching 36 million euros last year.
New twist in the controversy over the health of European banks which opposes the IMF to European officials. The new CEO of the Fund, Christine Lagarde Wednesday held the first meeting of its Board of Directors of European banks. On this occasion, the Fund's economists presented their calculations indicate a probable equity gap of around 200 billion euros for all European institutions, the Financial Times. While European banks inscribed on their balance sheet obligations of States in the euro area market value, their tangible equity would fall from 10% to 12%, said the newspaper.
The newspaper stresses, however, that the amount shown in the "Report on the global financial stability", the traditional semi-annual report due on 21 September, is not final.These figures are obviously equivalent to those that led Christine Lagarde Saturday to encourage Europeans to recapitalize banks on the continent.
Analysis strongly opposed by European leaders. "The vision of the IMF is biased," said the Spanish Finance Minister, Elena Salgado, the FT, explaining that the Fund was wrong not to take into account potential losses without regard to assets Bunds, which saw During their ride. Wednesday, the Minister of Economy, Baroin, has in turn ensured that the French banking sector did not raise "no worries".Statements in line with those of the governor of the Banque de France Christian Noyer and the president of MEDEF Laurence Parisot, who had followed the lead of European leaders as the Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Olli Rehn.
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Investors in the Paris Bourse are enthusiastic on Monday afternoon. By 1530, the Cac 40 gained 3.15% to 3112 points. The index has grown steadily since opening in the red. The benchmark index of the Bourse de Paris has in fact started the session down 0.85% below 3000 points. But the trend was quickly reversed after a quarter hour rating. Clawing and point by point, the Cac 40 already displayed an increase of 1.46% in mid-session.
The index then continued its rise this afternoon. It seems not only able to keep the 3000 points, but maybe even finish above 3100 points.
What comfort to investors who last week saw the Cac 40 lost almost 7% in five days.
Elsewhere in Europe, the same trend has occurred. In London, the FTSE 100 gained 2.69% to now 5176 points.In Frankfurt, the DAX 1.89% 30 allows itself to 5583 points. And Italy, the FTSE MIB ahead even of 4.08% at 15,198 points.
The hope of change in Libya brings dynamism
Investors are eager to hear the speech of the U.S. Federal Reserve Friday, which should present the details of a new plan of monetary easing to support the U.S. economy. But in anticipation of this event, the operators have their eyes riveted to Libya where the rebels have entered in Tripoli. If pro-Gaddafi still resisting in the capital, rebel fighters have reached the Green Square, symbol of the regime. The fate of Colonel Gaddafi's head of oil-producing country seems uncertain.Seif al-Islam, presented in the past as the future successor of his father, was arrested.
The prospect of regime change boosts the price of crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), where a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery was trading at 83.58 dollars to 15 hours, up of $ 1.32 from Friday.
Despite this enthusiasm, concerns remain about the global economic environment. The United States fears most concentrated with the publication of indicators increasingly mixed. This weekend, President Barack Obama admitted that his country was experiencing "a difficult, frightening recession." This should not reassure. He also accused the Congress to halt the reforms he wants to put in place to revive the economy.For his part, Vice President Joe Biden tried to reassure global stock markets and especially the Chinese, the first creditor of Americans saying the country would "never" by default.
Side the euro area, the problems of sovereign debt persist. As the political stalemate. Sunday, the German government has stepped up interventions in the media to reaffirm its opposition to European obligations, yet solution desired by the markets. "The Eurobonds are quite the wrong response to the crisis of the moment.They would lead us to a union of debt and not a union of stability, "said Chancellor Angela Merkel who judges the cost of this mechanism is too high for the economy of his country payday loans guaranteed no fax.
Several statistics to follow this week
Germany has lowered its forecast of budget deficit to 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011, in a monthly report of the Ministry of Finance released Monday.
Growth is slowing for the fourth consecutive quarter in rich countries, displayed in 0.2% from April to June compared with the previous three months, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)."The gross domestic product (GDP) in the OECD area slowed to 0.2% in the second quarter of 2011, against 0.3% last quarter," said the organization in a statement Monday.
But investors expect a battery of statistics in the rest of the week including the manufacturing PMI for the euro area (Tuesday), the German IFO index (Wednesday), the weekly jobless claims in the U.S. (Thursday). Wednesday will be marked in France by the presentation of new conservation measures for the country to retain investor confidence and the "triple A".
Friday will be the busiest day with the second reading of U.S. GDP in the second quarter and the index of consumer sentiment.
As for currencies, the euro rose slightly against the greenback.The single currency is worth 1.4419 dollars this morning.
Banks and Total are displayed in the list of the values up
Banking
The AMF may decide Friday, after the close of European stock exchanges, to renew its ban on short selling on financial stocks, but this time for three months. The sector also bounced unevenly on Monday after sharp declines last week, Credit Agricole gained 2.76% this morning before falling back slightly in mid-session (-0.29% to 6.10 euros).BNP Paribas gained 0.95% to 33.06 euros, however Natixis crumbles from 0.76% to 2.86 euros, and Axa, from 0.34% to 10.24 euros.
For his part, Frédéric Oudéa, CEO of Societe Generale (1.34% to 21.15 euros), said Sunday that the nervousness that penalizes banks Scholarships could last "at least until early November."
Paris airport: + 0.73% to 54.17 euros
ADP has registered a record passenger traffic in July, with 8.9 million passengers, an increase of 4.6% over the same period in 2010.
France Telecom (1.04% to 12.68 euros), Vivendi (0.69% to 15.39 euros), Bouygues (0.97% to 21.92 euros) Iliad (1.39% to 80.70 euros)
Some operators are preparing for the end of unlimited Internet access in homes for some clients.
Total: + 3.36% to 33.065 euros
Leading the CAC 40, the title has hopes of a quick change of regime in Libya that would allow a reopening of the country's oil installations.
