Sundial of world news

Mixed. Between the good results released Tuesday by Intel and announcements pessimistic Fed, the U.S. markets have been slow to find the right direction. They finally finished in extremis in the green. A green very hesitant. The Dow Jones gained 0.04%, Nasdaq 0.35% advance in 2250. In contrast, the S & P 500 was down 0.02% to 1095 points.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro remains above 1.27 dollars to 10:40 p.m. at 1.2738 dollars (0.14%). The dollar seems to lose some of its appeal as a safe haven. The encouraging start to the season half results in the United States seems to restore investor confidence and encourages risk taking. The European currency was on his side with the success of the issuance of treasury bills Greeks.The operation, with a rate of 4.65%, the first since May, when the euro zone and the IMF have provided loans of 110 billion euros over three years, has aroused demand of over 4.5 billion euros, well above the 1.25 billion that the country wanted to raise.

Retail sales disappoint, the Fed resolutely pessimistic

To many observers, the Fed was going to share in the minutes of its monetary policy meeting, the revised growth forecasts downwards. It is clear that they were right. The U.S. central bank now expects growth of between 3% and 3.5%, against a range from 3.2% to 3.7% three months ago. The finding is similar to unemployment. Consequently, the Fed is considering new measures of monetary policy to support the U.S. economy.

Side indicators on Wednesday, the Commerce Department reported a 0.5% drop in retail sales in the U.S. last month, after declining 1.1% in May according to a revised estimate. Economists and analysts polled by Reuters were predicting a decline of 0.2%. Compared to June 2009, sales were up 4.8%. This statistic is added to a series of numbers considered disappointing, especially in real estate and industry, and suggests that the recovery ran out of steam a bit faster than expected.

Intel Features

On the side of values, the salvo of quarterly results continues on Wall Street. The microprocessor giant Intel on Tuesday said the "best quarter in its history, with net income of $ 2.9 billion, better than expected, and a turnover exceeding its forecasts and also market expectations.Intel shares gain 1.67% to 21.36 dollars.

Always on the side of values, the U.S. group Northrop Grumman defense (3.13% to 56.99 U.S. dollars) has also announced Tuesday after the close of Wall Street of its intention to separate from all its shipyards, it would close one on the Gulf of Mexico within three years.

lefigaro.fr / jdf.com – After having doubted the ability of countries to cope with budget deficits, the markets are concerned now plans rigorously implemented by European states. Are they become schizophrenic?

Eric Bleine – I do not know if we can speak of schizophrenia, but I find the reactions of financial markets is excessive. This is not surprising when one considers that most large companies in the CAC 40 are majority owned by U.S. pension funds, and increasingly by players from emerging markets. If individuals are continuing to ignore the actions, it will increase, and financial markets continue to be volatile. In this context, I advise investors to focus on their process of investment. In other words, to believe in what they do and do not move during moments of extreme doubt.It is when the visibility is poor economy and financial and prices of listed assets are low it takes to earn money. The doubts the current market is understandable but exaggerated. He should know how to take them by buying now, taking as a necessary condition to have investment horizons reasonable (between 18 months and 3 years) does not get into the position of having to liquidate its portfolio under stress specific personal.

European equities are they really excluded?

Financial markets have still not integrated as European companies are financially sound, well managed despite the crisis and they have high margins and refinanced debt. The euro zone is not in a situation so bad as that.The proof that more than European ones, are also international companies which derive a substantial part of its sales in the U.S. or in emerging countries. If fears about the euro area are so important is because pension funds are selling their fears, "the fear". What explains this high volatility. But I guess they will stop selling because valuation levels as low and reassuring news that we are beginning to have on the sustainability of our currency, the euro.

How do you manage the allocation of your portfolio between defensive stocks and cyclical stocks?

Overall, I'm quite recently strengthened financial securities in defensive stocks. I have preferences for certain banking stocks and am overweight, representing 18% of portfolio value Central.Despite the pressure around these companies, the current prices seem particularly attractive and excessive criticism. We focus on the big European banks such as BNP Paribas, Santander, Intesa, UniCredit, Deutsche Bank or Barclays. They are strong and come out winners in my opinion this crisis, the market does not take into account.

It is a rather surprising position in the current context. Other atypical cyclical stocks?

Yes, because we are also overweighted car values (5.32% of portfolio) as DaimlerChrysler, Faurecia and Michelin. For example, Michelin will benefit from new standards that will enable tire manufacturers to sell products with high added values.Furthermore, we focus Faurecia, because we believe that Faurecia has good chances of success in China by supporting the rise of automobile manufacturers in emerging countries

I'm also positive and closer to consensus on technology stocks (11.55% of portfolio) invested with Atos, Steria, STMicroelectronics. There is a real demand for computer services and technology assets. Finally, I like also valued as Lufthansa is one of the few aerospace companies to have limited its losses in 2008 and which we believe will be winners of an industry concentration. However, although it benefits from the dollar, we excluded EADS for which we still have some reservations.

A second half what should we expect?

We look forward to a calmer second half versus the first.We're going out of concerns about the sustainability of the euro area and the ability of states to refinance. The fears will gradually dissipate and the risk premium with them. This should drive us as a first step to a CAC 40-3800 points. Then the market should realize that the growth of European countries will not be as catastrophe we would suggest. This gives a potential ACC 40-4000 points, why not towards the end of the year. With the portfolio that I currently constituted, I am ready for the increase in ACC 40.

Found 100 billion euros in three years. This is the government's objective to reduce the deficit from 8% to 3% in 2013, reiterated Prime Minister François Fillon on Saturday, which gave details of the proposed measures. "We have pledged by 2013 to reduce our deficit from 8% to 3% and all our efforts will focus on this priority. It means basically that should reduce the deficit of 100 billion by 2013, "he said during a meeting with new members of the UMP Salle Gaveau.

The $ 100 billion, "we (them) to find the half in spending cuts and half in revenue increases," said the head of government.The 50 billion euros in spending cuts will be made up of "45 billion by reducing public expenditure, 5 billion on reducing tax loopholes."

On the revenue side, the 50 billion do not result from increased taxes and levies, "said Francois Fillon. He bets on "35 billion upgrading after the crisis, loss of revenue cyclical. (…) As and when growth returns, revenues are growing once again, "he said. And the remaining 15 billion? They "will correspond to the end of the steps we have taken to boost the economy and have obviously not meant to last beyond this period of recovery," he added.

In May, Francois Fillon had already announced a freeze in spending value of the state but had not detailed the targets.These details are involved a little less than a week after Berlin has adopted a plan rigorously evaluated at 80 billion euros. France is under pressure from financial markets and rating agencies, who urged him to detail the measures to be taken to reduce debt.

"New sources of funding"

The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of pensions. While the government prepares to release his reform plan, Francois Fillon reiterated its intention to extend the duration of activity and pushing the "symbol" of the statutory retirement age to 60 years.

It will also seek new financing, he added. "Justice will lead us to seek new sources of financing because the effort must be shared by all," he said.Nevertheless, the government has temporarily waived taxing incomes over 11,000 euros per month, according to information from Figaro.

ALSO READ:

"Our special report on pensions

The hunt for tax shelters is launched

"Maintaining the AAA rating is an objective" tense ", according Baroin

While Wall Street has ended sharply higher on Thursday evening, and the Asian stock markets move in the green, the Paris Bourse, which also took over Thursday evening colors, the trend should be confirmed on Friday morning, but surely more timidly.

The CAC 40, ending up over 2% yesterday, managed to climb beyond 3,500 points. Sign of the return of investors, the volumes are recovering. About 4.5 billion changed hands on the great values of the Paris stock exchange Thursday.

In Europe, the announcement by Jean Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank revised upwards its growth forecast for 2010 to 1% against 0.8% previously, has reassured investors.

Jean-Claude Trichet also reiterated its confidence in the euro, a currency "very credible".On the foreign exchange market, the euro, good barometer of market confidence returning the land to more than $ 1.21. On Friday morning, about 7:15, the euro does not move too much, and gold trading at around 1217 dollars per ounce.

Statistics follow

In France this morning, inflation will be unveiled by INSEE for the month of May, at the same time as the balance of payments in April (Bank of France).

In the eurozone, this balance will be issued for the entire quarter at 11:00.

While in the U.S., sales details in May, which will be published at 14.30, will be as usual well attended, and the second estimate of the confidence index from the University of Michigan for the month May, at 15:55.Five minutes later, it is the stocks and sales of companies in April will be known.

Club Med lots of red heads for China

Club Mediterranean in the first half of its 2009/2010 financial year ended in April with net income of 3 million euros, against 22 million loss a year earlier, in a European tourist market "sluggish" and despite the impact Icelandic cloud, "he said Friday in a statement. In addition, the group discusses with a Chinese group ready to open its capital, according to management.

EDF CEO Henri Proglio will meet this Friday, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller to discuss the pipeline project Southstream. Alexei Miller said one option would be for EDF to take a 10% stake in Southstream.

Moreover, the computer giant HP has partnered with a subsidiary of EDF to provide businesses with "Pod", aka Performance Optimized Datacenter, installed computer labs in containers.

Lagardere Lagardere announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the final disposal of the television 17 to Bolloré Virgin Media.

The manufacturer Renault has confirmed the reports of Figaro on the appointment of Dominique Thormann the position of Financial Director Replacment Thierry Moulonguet.

Peugeot Thursday, hail crippled the manufacturer's plant in Sochaux. The group has not yet quantified the shortfall.6000 employees are laid off.

With STMicroelectronics Soitec could could hold the attention after the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has estimated that worldwide sales of semiconductors will grow by 28.4% to 290.5 billion dollars in 2010 thanks to strong demand from emerging countries.

Banking Profession, held in the IIR, said that the regulation being developed in Basel will have a massive impact on growth, particularly in the euro area.

Societe Generale Kerviel At trial, the atmosphere is electric. The ex-trader annoys the President and General Counsel of the Company to show nervous.

Pharmaceutical companies across Europe, governments are spending on health to reduce their deficit. France is no exception. The government fell in April the rate of return of 200 drugs.He also announced a few days ago to further declines in commodity prices, in order to save 100 million euros by December.

The Nikkei gained 0.24% timidly, to 10,260 points by 6:15, after having opened Tuesday's session up 0.76% for the Nikkei 225. While the broader Topix slid into the red, falling 0.3% to 917 points. On Monday, the Nikkei had slipped 2.17% at 10,235 points amid concern vis-à-vis the euro.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng has put forward more than 0.21%, to 19,756 points and the Singapore Straits Times 0.04%, to 2834 points. In Shanghai, the Exchange has started doing the yo-yo, before anchoring in the red: -0.64% to 2697 points.

Monday evening, the finance ministers of the eurozone met to discuss the single currency, which lost nearly 20% since late November 2009 including 13.5% since 1 January.The euro is a "credible currency, said on Tuesday, Jean-Claude Juncker, the leader of Ministers of the euro area.

If this decline in European currencies could help grow the Old Continent, mechanically, through the principle of competitive devaluation, foreign companies suffer a cost of more expensive imports.

Against the yen, the euro down 0.44% and also score 114.7 yen. Levels for 2009 and … early 2002.

The Bank of Japan lends to 0.1%

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has announced plans to lend money at preferential rates of 0.1%, the interest rate, to companies investing in growth areas, the newspaper Asahi.The central bank should decide in principle on the plan at a meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee this week, before details of the next month, the newspaper said.

This project would support modest growth in Japan low fee pay day loans. In addition to promoting growth, the BOJ has taken steps in recent months to try and halt the deflation that has raged for over a year: It has increased to 20,000 billion yen (174 billion euros) the allocation to provide loans to very low rates to banks.

Back to profit faster JAL

The first Japanese airline Japan Airlines (JAL), currently under judicial restructuring, has set a goal of finding operating income from fiscal year 2010-2011, a year earlier than expected, says Mainichi newspaper on Tuesday.And, thanks to a plan to revive its business that includes an operating profit target of several tens of billions of yen (several hundred million euros) for the current fiscal year.The titles do cotent over $ 0.01.

At the Shanghai Stock Exchange, what are the values of the aviation sector suffering most: China Eastern Airlines: -4.55% to 3.33 Hong Kong dollars despite an increase in traffic in April, China Southern Airlines -3.77%, 3.32 HKD.

Moreover, the Japanese steel companies Nippon Steel (-2.4% to 326 yen) and Argentine Ternium (-2.93% to 33.5 dollars a barrel Monday) announced Tuesday that it plans to invest $ 350 million in common two and a half years in a joint venture in Mexico to manufacture sheets for the automotive sector.

This site eventually produce the equivalent of 400,000 tons "of galvanized steel sheet of high quality and high-grade" for the automotive industry in Mexico, including the Japanese manufacturers on site.

The crisis in Greek and the euro area worry the president of the United States. "I am very concerned about what is happening in Europe," said Barack Obama during an interview Thursday with the Russian television channel Rossiya and released Saturday. The nervousness in global markets and the increasing concern of investors towards the debts of states caused by the Greek problem posing "serious threats" to the United States, "said Bush.

"I think the Europeans have realized that it was very serious. Greece takes measures very difficult in any case they have put in place a plan that calls for tough measures, "he acknowledged."If we can stabilize the situation in Europe, it will be good for the United States, and it will be good also for Russia."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the EU should announce before markets open Monday morning, creating a "Community mechanism to intervene" to save the states on the brink of bankruptcy. The European Commission was working on an emergency this weekend to present a convincing ministers of the European economy, which meet on Sunday afternoon. Reflecting the importance of time, Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister, and Nicolas Sarkozy, have decided not to travel to Moscow for commemorations of the end of the Second World War.

Week chaotic

European shares and U.S. were closed on very steep declines Friday.Protests against the rigor enameled three died in Athens on Wednesday, and unexplained sudden fall of the New York Stock Exchange during the day Thursday and fear of contagion from the crisis in Spain and Portugal have marked one week chaotic markets.

The statements have increased in recent days to encourage European leaders to act. "We hope to see emerge a strong and rapid European response to crisis", said, quoted by Bloomberg, the Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who hosted the G7 on Friday. "We call for an answer as quickly as possible given the circumstances," insisted the Australian Minister for the Budget, Wayne Swan.

The Greeks accept the rigor

Nearly 55% of Greeks prefer an austerity plan to bankruptcy, according to a poll published Sunday in the daily Vima.Over 56% are even willing to accept wage cuts. Contradictory result, however, the same poll found that 53% of respondents felt the need to continue to protest against the austerity of the Papandreou government.

Microsoft on Thursday posted a net profit up 35% to 4.006 billion dollars for the third quarter of fiscal offset, and a turnover of 14.5 billion dollars, which increased 6% year on year.

"Windows 7 contiune to be a tool for growth, but we also see strong growth for Bing, Xbox Live, and the emerging markets of" cloud services, "said Peter Klein, CFO of Microsoft, said in a statement issued after -Exchange on Thursday.He added: "Our record revenue in the third quarter is a continuation of our policy of strict cost".

Mircosoft expects 2010 operating expenses between $ 26.1 billion and 26.3 billion dollars.

On Wednesday, Apple and Yahoo recorded profits for 3.07 billion dollars (89.5%) and 310.19 million dollars, the first for the second quarter 2010 and second in the first quarter of 2010. As for their sales, they amounted to 13.5 billion (+48.7%) and 1.6 billion (1%).

At the NYSE, Microsoft shares closed up 0.19% to 31.39 dollars in a market up 0.09%.

"We see the gentleman behind the great communicator." Thus did Laurence Parisot commented on Monday, the first decision of the boss of Publicis Group, the new President of the French Association of Private Enterprise (Afep, which includes hundreds of large companies including those listed on the CAC 40). Maurice Levy has proposed to his counterpart Medef code to complete their common governance, to promote parity. The text now recommends that boards of directors (or supervisory) have at least 20% of women within three years and 40% by six years, these deadlines will act over the arrival due mandates.Some recommendations that match the proposal passed earlier this year by the Assembly at the initiative of the UMP MP Marie-Jo Zimmermann, with the support group president Jean-Francois Cope, who must still pass the Senate .

But the draft law provides for sanctions, including revocation of appointments of directors who flout the rule. Nothing like it in the code AFEP-MEDEF: all the betting is that firms will not dent their image. This is the principle of "comply or explain" ("comply or explain"), which Maurice Levy thinks it will be very effective: "If the rule is not applied, it should explain why in its annual report and before his shareholders.This is the strongest thing that can be imposed on a board of directors. "This idea of self-regulation had given birth to the code AFEP-MEDEF, allowing companies to avoid legislation on executive compensation (parachutes gilded, stock options …). Similarly, Maurice Levy believes that "the law is no longer necessary" on women directors. Marie-Jo Zimmermann replied "very pleased that companies show their willingness to move forward" but hopes that his bill "continue its path. He took this sword of Damocles that things start to move, we'll see in two or three years if we can remove it.In addition, continued its elected Moselle, my text provides a resolution of the board annually on equality across the company: hiring, pay, career development … ".

Bernadette Chirac at LVMH

"We may not like quotas, but there are circumstances where a little help can ease the situation," said Laurence Parisot, who "companies are at the forefront. We never talk about discrimination suffered by women in top management. The subject is still in the agenda of the "Social Agenda 2010" of Public Service."And we talk enough about the risk of decline with future territorial advisors," says the boss of bosses, the voting could be first past the post, whereas the regional advisers are currently elected on joint lists.

According Afep, women accounted for 10.4% of the directors of the CAC 40 in late 2009, and is expected to rise to 15.7% this year. Carole Lewiner will be ushered to the board of Bouygues, Laurence Dors at Capgemini, Meglena Kuneva at BNP Paribas in Fatine Layt Imeri … Without forgetting Bernadette Chirac at LVMH.

ALSO READ:

"Parity at low speed

"An Act to impose a quota for women in business

"INTERVIEW – Cope:" We must create an electric shock "

Tax policy will be one of the major challenges of the 2012 presidential. Elected representatives of the majority have realized that the crisis had substantially changed the perception of the French measures taken at the beginning of the quinquennium. In the UMP as among the centrists, parliamentarians are increasingly likely to claim "adjustments" of the tax shield in the left side, which for three years, tirelessly seeks its removal. The Budget Minister Francois Baroin, who was auditioning for the first time Tuesday by the Finance Committee of the Assembly reaffirmed the need to maintain the tax shield to send a message of "fiscal stability" for French taxpayers who chose to go abroad to save taxes.

A topic "anxiety"

But the lines are moving in the majority.Thirteen UMP deputies said they would seek in a bill, the "suspension" of the tax shield to "finance the pension reform, reduce deficits and to support people in precarious situations. Jean-Francois Cope, the owner of UMP, which remains "very committed" to this device, does more to suspend the application "for a limited time, for a visit of solidarity.

The chairman of the New Center, Herve Morin, said that the question deserves "a full debate". The deputies and senators are centrists on the issue at the forefront, and that of the ISF. Jean Arthuis, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has long called for the abolition of the tax shield and the removal of the ISF, with consideration for the creation of an additional tax on income at 45%.In the House, Charles de Courson, a specialist in budgetary matters, is on the same line as the president of the centrist Alliance for the ISF. But it does not require the abolition of the tax shield. He would prefer the way the CSG and CRDS shield calculated at fixed rates, and that the CRDS is increased by 0.2% to 0.3%.

Jean-Francois Cope,, recommended the merger of the income tax, the CSG and CRDS to reduce deficits and debt, which have become a subject of "anxiety" to the French. This was the observation that the majority elected to have the opportunity of the regional campaign. Cope also agrees with a repeated request of many of the elected majority, leaving the principal residence of the base of the ISF.

The story accelerates. This Friday, the Japanese group Sharp has introduced a tiny touch screen, color, reproducing 3D videos. The big innovation is that this screen does not require glasses. A step that should be taken seriously. Unfashionable as it may eventually large screen televisions in 3D now being launched in the U.S. by Samsung and Panasonic but need to don special glasses.

However, to see the effect in relief, it is necessary to be right in front of the small screen, 30 cm apart. "We can only produce small screen in this technology. In addition, 12.7 cm diagonal. It must be well in front, otherwise the perception of 3D fade, "says Patrick Chardin, director at Sharp France. To develop its new technology, the Japanese group has improved its previous innovations.Three years ago, in Tokyo, Sharp has introduced an innovative technology which allowed three people to watch at the same time, a different program broadcast by the same TV, depending on the position of each face on the screen. Each point on the screen was broadcasting a different image depending on the viewing angle of the viewer.

According to this principle, with an image emitted for each eye, the semiconductor division of Sharp has designed its new 3D display device called an "interlaced effect. The additional cost compared to a conventional screen is not excessive.For the screen in landscape consists of a conventional LCD panel on which is placed a filter.

Nintendo

But because of its limited size for the 3D effect, "we focus on three markets: portable gaming devices, smartphones (note: mobile phones for surfing) and embedded screens, such as GPS in cars" said Patrick Chardin make quick cash.

Production should begin in September. One of the first objects that can use this technology should be the next portable game console, Nintendo 3DS, announced last week and promised for 2011. For its previous screens of the DS, sold 125 million units, Nintendo had already appealed to Sharp as a supplier.

Nintendo's next console will be presented in June in Los Angeles at E3.The Japanese group said the old games the DS can be reused on its future console. With 3DS, the group led by Satoru Iwata will take another step ahead of the Sony PSP (67 million), which was sold two times less than the DS. In addition, the CEO of Nintendo will reduce competition from the iPhone and iPod Touch which guests are on the market for portable game consoles.

Moreover, it could sell 78 million smartphones equipped with 3D screens by 2018, says DisplaySearch.For now, only one mobile is sold only in Japan by Hitachi, with a 3D effect without glasses.

ALSO READ:

"Notice of gridlock on the 3D screens

"SELECT CASE 3D, the new challenge of the cinema

"Acer and Asus launch PC relief

"VIDEO – The 3D TV is" the next revolution "

"High definition in 2009, the third dimension in 2010