Sundial of world news

Sluggish start to the year for consumers. The French have reduced their spending by 0.4% in January, reports the INSEE. In December, consumption had fallen by 0.2%, a figure revised up 0.5 point. Compared to January 2011, consumption fell 2.2%.

Household spending fell in virtually all sectors. In particular, they continued to crumble in clothing (-2.3%), despite the sales and after falling 1.7% in December.

This is especially the collapse of automobile purchases by 7.6% in January from 2.8% in December, which sealed the figure released today. Registrations have also unscrewed 20.7% compared with January 2011. "Households may indeed have anticipated their purchases of cars face of tougher no-claims bonus on 1st January 2012," INSEE advance.  

Among the few sectors rising, the food recovers (1.4%), after declining steadily over the past six months. "This decline is expected to continue as households are turning to cheaper goods in shops cheaper", the BNP Paribas economists. Energy costs have in turn bounced (2%) with the return of cold. This trend should continue and thus provide some support consumption in February, economists expect Societe Generale CIB.

Rising unemployment and uncertainties related to the crisis in the euro area seem to continue to weigh on household spending. This traditional driver of French growth had stalled in 2011, dropping by 0.5% over the year.

ALSO READ:

"Car sales have plunged in January in France

"The French have less consumed in 2011

Thierry Martel speaks for the first time since his arrival eventful last October at the head of Groupama. This 48-year polytechnic has climbed the ladder of mutual group. He was propelled to the Managing Director following the sudden ouster of Jean Azema, in the fall. The new boss is going to present the annual results in heavy losses, marked by a series of writedowns on Greece and its major shareholdings, including Societe Generale and Veolia. To strengthen the solvency of the group, the leader began a series of disposals. It is expected to announce in the coming weeks than EUROCOURTAGE, one of the nuggets of the group. After years of rapid growth and acquisitions at high prices paid, Groupama will focus on its business heart.

LE FIGARO. – You have taken the lead on Groupama end of October. How do you assess the state of the group?

Thierry Martel. – The economic fundamentals are very solid group. We also present a very good operating results in 2011. However, it should be expected, due to the fall in equity markets in the second half of 2011 and our high exposure to the Greek crisis, to a net loss. But our level of liquidity has not suffered, it is even exceptionally high.

Can you detail these impairments?

The Greek crisis will have cost us just over 2 billion euros. Moreover, the fall in equity markets in the second half in 2011 has weighed up to 1.2 billion in securities and Societe Generale to the tune of 600 million euros for the stake in Veolia, which experienced a low in December 31, 2011 . That said, just since January 1, 2012, our securities portfolios have taken 2 billion euros.

You have announced your intention to sell EUROCOURTAGE and your UK business. Where are you?

Both operations are progressing smoothly. Several candidates have emerged and are currently in the data room. As expected, the name of the buyer EUROCOURTAGE be announced in March. The divestiture will occur then British.

Are you concerned that the action of the minority, who consider themselves injured by the transaction price, call into question the sale of Silic to the Deposit (CDC)?

No, I have every confidence in the success of this operation. The reconciliation between Icade and Silic is a great industrial success. The price at which we sold our interest is the market price, as demonstrated by studies experts.

Your accounts at the end of December would they have been approved by your supervisory authority without funding from the CDC?

Yes, our solvency at 31 December was above the legal limit without the operation of EUROCOURTAGE payday loan lenders. I heard of a "rescue" of Groupama: it makes no sense. The operations we have conducted with the CDC are primarily industrial operations that create value for both Groupama for the CDC.

To what extent do your customers have been affected by your financial difficulties?

Not only do our customers have remained loyal, but we increased our market share in our core businesses in 2011, thanks to excellent business results. Our 16 million members and customers have always been central to our priorities. Our financial losses they have not been passed: we will absorb them through our own funds.

How do you steer Groupama?

This crisis makes me put more than ever before in our mutual values: transparency vis-à-vis members and elected officials who represent them, sharing strategic decisions with regional banks, prudent risk management, commitment to dialogue Social. Confidence is the key to success is the reason why I will travel to many general meetings of regional banks to engage directly with members of the group's orientations.

And on a more operational?

I want to focus on Groupama markets where it has strong positions and the most profit potential. In France, we continue our strategy of global financial player in insurance and banking because we believe in the synergy of these commercial activities. In addition, we will complete in 2014 the convergence of all regional banks on the same information system, which will lower our costs. The Group has the widest range of offers, services and distribution channels. My ambition is to run at full capacity this great economic machine.

Precisely, do you have to tighten the savings plan announced in October?

We will refine and accelerate but overall we remain on the plan announced in the fall, that is to say 400 million euros in savings, by 2014. Meanwhile, we reinforce our policy of controlling technical risk is an essential factor in the outcome. Let's be clear: even at the height of the crisis last fall, employment has never been for us an adjustment variable.

Continue you always plan to become one of the top ten European insurers?

No, this is no longer a goal. Similarly, we decided to stop the proposed listing of the group. We are moving from a strategy of size to a performance strategy that will enable us to further strengthen our solvency.

A first for thirty years! The U.S. utility Southern Company said Thursday it would launch the construction of two new nuclear reactors at the site of the Vogtle plant in Georgia. The U.S. nuclear watchdog, the NRC has in fact given the green light, the final stage of an administrative process that began in 2005. The award of this license comes eleven months after the nuclear disaster at Fukushima and at a time when, in the opinion of most American experts, the historically low gas prices in the U.S., thanks to the abundance of gas shale, makes uncertain the profitability of the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant. Thomas Fanning, CEO of Southern Company, hopes the two new reactors of 1,100 megawatts each will respectively be operational in 2016 and 2017. They feed one million homes. The project represents an investment of $ 14 billion (10 paperless payday loans.6 billion euros).

Southern chose the long AP1000 designed by the American Westinghouse, now controlled by the Japanese giant Toshiba. If the last U.S. nuclear power plants came online in 1996, the NRC had not awarded a license since 1978, the year before the accident at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, where a nuclear reactor had partially melted, causing no victims. Announced the revival of nuclear power in the 2000s has been slowed due to a combination of the accident at Fukushima in 2011 and the spectacular development of shale gas that made the United States, in the space of three years , an exporter of natural gas.

ALSO READ:

"Alstom wins first contract in the Russian nuclear

"Besson:" Nuclear power will remain cheap "

The nuclear power, which is in France more than 75% of the total electricity production, it is the lung of the domestic industry? A total industrial consumption in the Hexagon is approximately 140 terawatt hours (TWh), representing a third of the total electricity consumption. It covers 30,000 companies – including 600 "electro-intensive" – ​​which employ 3 million workers and generates a turnover of 900 billion euros.

In addition to these large volumes, nuclear power is distinguished by its long prices. "In late 1980, Pechiney had wanted to relocate its operations in Canada, where hydroelectric power is a considerable asset.The group ended up staying in France because that EDF was able to make a competitive offer-cons based on the competitive cost of nuclear electricity, "recalls Colette Lewiner, director of international energy and utilities sector at Capgemini payday loan lenders.

Specifically, in its latest "Observatory of European energy markets," Capgemini shows that the electricity in France remains one of the cheapest in Europe. "But to the industrial, the argument prices is not the only criterion. They also want the visibility, the gold price of nuclear electricity are distinguished by their predictability: they are much less sensitive to changes in the price of electricity produced from fossil fuels such as gas or oil, Jean-Jacques Nieuviaert note, Councillor in charge of the overall economy and markets to the French Union of Electricity (UFE).

"Change Model" has become a leitmotif in the Lyonnaise des Eaux, a subsidiary of world number two services to local authorities, Suez Environnement.

"Our proposals meet the shared view that we must reinvent the governance of water, take into account environmental and social issues and meet the high demand for information from citizens," said Philippe Maillard, the new head of the Lyon water, which presents on Tuesday, the Congress of Mayors of France, the "contract for water security."

After the turn made by Paris in 2010, several cities are planning to remove the water management to private operators to switch to public ownership. Bordeaux switch soon. Evry, Lyon and Lille are wondering.

A double crisis summit before the true summit! This is the shock treatment that Europe has inflicted over the last hour due to Greek crisis. Completely disrupting the predetermined agenda, European leaders met late Wednesday afternoon in Cannes on the eve of the official opening of the G20, to try to restore order in their home. The foundations of the euro have been greatly shaken by the surprise decision by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, to submit the agreement between EU leaders in Brussels on October 27, in a referendum. Called to come and explain this decision, the Greek ruler walked away from Cannes late Wednesday night.

In a press conference, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy have shown a very high severity, both in form and substance. "We will not let destroy Europe and the euro," commented Nicolas Sarkozy.The Greeks have to say quickly and clearly if they choose or not to keep their place in the euro area. "

ALSO READ:

"The Greek crisis invites himself suddenly at the G20

"The Greek government supports the referendum

"SPECIAL – Depression, fear of debt

The decision was surprised by its form. Under pressure from his people and political parties, George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, announced Monday night to organize a national referendum. Formally, it is to approve the agreement reached last week by the Europeans to clear part of the country's public debt. But in fact, the flexibility of George Papandreou was too small for the government to continue implementing the reforms. "The country is paralyzed for over a month. On the one hand all of the political demand for elections, on the other there is the street. Between working to rule and those that slow the activity, no one works, "said Giorgos Delastik, a political analyst. "It must be added those who can not afford to pay their bills, and violence in the behavior of people who have nothing to lose us fast cash."Indeed, for the first time since the return of democracy in Greece in 1974, the National Day parade was canceled in fifteen cities. In Thessaloniki, in northern countries, tens of Greeks threw eggs and projectiles on official incentives Karolos Papoulias, President of the Republic to leave. In a letter to Prime Minister, Mikis Theodorakis, symbol of resistance to the junta of colonels also called George Papandreou to take responsibility.

This has now changed. In front of the Socialist parliamentary group, Greek Prime Minister did not mince his words: "The will of the Greek people appealing to us," said Papandreou. It will also seek a confidence vote in Parliament on the agreement on debt.

In the second of the five-day strike of cabin crew of Air France, the company promises, as before, to ensure 80% of its flights. Even if the unions, who believe that the movement is followed, announced an intensification of the mobilization against the proposed reduction in the number of cabin crew in some planes.

About 200 flights on the 1000 planned were canceled Saturday. "We have given the forecast. Saturday at midday, only 200 passengers 3,000 were in trouble, "noted the direction of the company. Air France has temporarily limited to 100 passengers the ability of its medium-haul flights from Orly to avoid having to put down passengers for lack of a sufficient number of hostesses and stewards. Result: Passengers waited. This strategy and the delays it caused affected customers were exasperated. "It's a nightmare. We have been waiting seven hours.Of all of the day, Air France plans to cancel 14, according to a spokesman for the airport.

Modified or exchanged for free tickets

Without an agreement this week with management on the number and mode of assessment of cabin crew, six of seven unions called the stewards and stewardesses 15,000 to go on strike for the weekend of All Saints, usually of overcrowding, until Wednesday, November 2 included instant payday loan. In 2007, a similar strike, triggered by the same six unions to the same period, had caused major disruptions. Air France was forced several times to review downward its traffic forecast: 90% of flights expected to be provided the day before, this had increased to 60% during the weekend.

The company called to check passengers before they leave for the airport, on the website of the company, the list of flights canceled or delayed. They also know the traffic forecasts by sending an SMS to 63654 with their flight number. The company also points out that the tickets can be changed or exchanged free of charge.

Air France has apologized to its passengers' taken hostage by a strike that has no purpose. " "We negotiated for ten days, day and night, and responded favorably to 90% of union demands for flight attendants." Jean-Cyril Spinetta, who took over the reins of the group a week ago, sent an open letter to the hostesses and stewards, in which he warns against the dangers of such a strike.

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 No teletrak payday loan.

"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.

ALSO READ:

"New austerity measures are not excluded

"The Senate calls for new savings measures

Moody's brandishing the sword of Damocles. The rating agency, which last week confirmed the AAA rating of the French debt, is now planning to revise its position on the "stable" outlook for this post. "Over the next three months, Moody's will monitor and evaluate this perspective in the light of progress made by the government to implement the measures announced to reduce the budget deficit," she says in a statement.

If the prospect should be revised to "negative", this would imply that Moody's would likely lower the rating over the medium term, most often at a maturity of three to twelve months.And France would become the new big country, after the United States to lose its prestigious rating that allows it to borrow on the current market conditions very favorable.

A budget supervision

In reaching its decision, Moody's analyze the ability of the French government to meet its budget commitments. She stressed that the financial strength of the French government "has weakened since the economic and financial crisis worldwide has led to a deterioration in its debt ratios, which are now among the lowest in AAA." In addition, "France could face a number of challenges in the coming months, such as the need for additional support to other European countries or its own banking system, which could increase significant commitments that must support the country's budget. "The remark came just after the adoption by the members of the guarantees provided by the French in the process of dismantling the Franco-Belgian bank Dexia payday loans for bad credit.

But Moody's does not forget to mention the strengths of the country where the government should build, "the large scale of its economy, high productivity, wide diversification, experience, innovation and a savings companies with high a moderate increase in financial liabilities of households and businesses. "These elements provide" a great capacity for shock absorption by France, as demonstrated by the strength of the demand during the global crisis, "reminds the statement.

France "will do everything possible" to keep the AAA

The rating agency said that the review is part of its annual financial statements for France and it is not yet a decision on the rating of the country.

But after this warning, the marathon budget to the Assembly for consideration of the budget 2012, which begins on Tuesday, should be closely watched.On France 2 last night, Prime Minister Francois Fillon warned it would take "new measures" austerity if France did not record a "minimal growth of 1.5%" in 2012, as the draft budget is "built on a projected 1.75% growth, but it works with a minimal growth of 1.5%."

Already, Tuesday morning, the Minister of Economy, Baroin, indicates that the growth forecast for 2012 is adopted "probably too high." He promised that France "will do everything possible" to maintain its excellent rating.

ALSO READ:

"France presents its budget discipline

"The rating agencies accused of aggravating the crisis