Sundial of world news

The benchmark index of rents (IRL) continues its momentum. Indexed to inflation, the index increased by 1.90% yoy in the third quarter 2011, according to INSEE, its largest increase since the first quarter of 2009.

Following the same curve as the price index, the benchmark rents had fallen sharply during the crisis, before recovering from the first quarter of 2010. However, according to figures released Wednesday by INSEE, inflation emerged up 2.2% year on year in September, despite a slowdown during the past month.

Consequence of this increase in the IRL, the owners can raise rents to their tenants under lease, 1.90% maximum per year. This ceiling is not to be confused with the increase that may require the owner at the end of the lease, and which itself is not subject to this limit.

Rising rents slows

They are also in the process of marking time, like the sale price. The latest observation Clamor, the rents charged to new tenants were up 0.9% over the first eight months of the year, against 1.4% a year earlier. In 34% of cities in France, this trend is even negative. This is for example the case in Paris (-0.1%), Bordeaux (-0.9%) or Toulouse (-0.4%).

In other cities of the Hexagon, however, rents remain strong on the upside. This is the case in Lyon (+1.2%), Nantes (+1.7%), Lille (1.9%) or Le Havre (+2%). For the full year, Clamor expects an average increase of 1.5% to 1.8% against 2.5% in 2010.

The Observatory notes wide disparities between the cities but also between the quality of rented accommodation.Owners who make improvements before entering into a new lease rent on average well 9.3% more than the previous occupant. However, when the property is rented without work, its rental value decreases by an average of 5.4%.

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Asia has finally been convinced by the rebound experienced by stock markets Monday in Europe and the United States. Shortly before 7 am (Paris time), and the Nikkei 225 gained 1.80% to 8524.16 points. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong Stock Exchange rose by its side of 2.81% to 2427.92 points. In Shanghai, the CSI 300 advances from 0.32% to 2619.27 points while the Kospi index in Seoul gained 3.44% to 1709.61 points. The day before, the Asian stock markets remained anchored in the red.

After heavy losses last week, investors marked a pause in fact, driven by renewed optimism about the debt crisis in the eurozone. Europe, for the voice of the spokesman for the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Olli Rehn, in fact, shows its commitment to strengthen the capacity of the relief funds in the euro area (EFSF).

Tokyo ready to buy bonds EFSF

The Japanese government has also indicated a willingness to buy more bonds relief fund if the European authorities in the euro area establish a mechanism to calm markets. "If a plan is launched to ease tensions in financial markets by helping Greece, I do not exclude that Japan is participating," said Tuesday the Japanese Minister of Finance, Jun Azumi. Japan already suffers from the crisis in Europe: the yen peaked against the euro, hurting Japanese exporters values. Monday, the European currency reached its lowest level since June 2001, at 102.18 yen. It is worth 103.28 yen Tuesday morning.

In terms of raw materials, oil falls sharply higher after having dropped more than eight dollars last week.A barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November gained 1.15 dollars to 81.39 dollars in early electronic trading, having closed up 39 cents Monday. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery, which ended virtually unchanged Monday (-3 cents), advances, meanwhile, 95 cents to 104.89 dollars.

The tax increase mutual health has not finished making waves. The plan of the government plans to increase from 3.5% to 7% tax on contracts and supportive health officials said, 95% of the market for complementary health, has been much debated since it was finally adopted by parliament on 8 September.

Last response date, two UMP announced Friday their intention to table an amendment to Bill Financing Social Security (PLFSS) reserves to tax "excessive" for certain health insurance schemes. Their goal: to prevent a sharp rise in contract prices by encouraging individuals to use their mutual financial reserves rather than pass on the increase in the tax on membership fees.

Sébastien Huyghe, MP North, and Valérie Rosso-Debord, Meurthe-et-Moselle, advocated to establish "what could amount to a wealth tax" on the margins of solvency of each other located far beyond the legal limit. "The law requires unions to hold minimum reserves called legal reserves or solvency margins, which now account for 17% of the amount of annual dues. When this level is set aside, it is said that the solvency of the mutual is 100%, "they recall. In their amendments, MEPs are the players that has a line "located beyond 300%", a rate considered sufficient to ensure their development or deal with contingencies.

According Valérie Rosso-Debord, the reserves of each other is "five to six times beyond the level required."These organizations "a way of managing heritage, which is not in the interest of their contributors," lamented the member quoted by Reuters. For his part, Labour Minister, Xavier Bertrand, argued that no insurance company or mutual was in financial difficulties and were "not required to fully pass this increase" on their customers .

"No secret reserves"

These arguments will probably jump Caniard Etienne, the president of the National Federation of French Mutual, which represents 600 health insurance schemes instant credit reports. He said the tax increases will be reflected automatically on membership fees, mutuals have already seen their margins decline in recent years. In this context, it amounts to 3.5% increase "mechanical" contribution for 2012. "It is no secret reserves" into the coffers of these organizations, he assures.A view shared by Gerard Andreck, Chairman of mutual insurance companies (Gema), a trade association. "Maybe there are a number of which are in mutual capacity to absorb this increase, but not the general market," he said after the vote by the parliament of the text .

Yet, according to Le Parisien, the market would not be so tense. Based on the balance sheets and income sector, the paper shows that mutual health organizations are seated on a "gold mine hidden" gigantic. MGEN (Mutual of Education) would be the best endowed. In 2009, its reserves "excessive" reached 1 billion euros, representing a solvency margin of 667%, well above the standards. With reserves of 262 million euros, Malakoff Médéric benefit from a solvency margin of 779%.These financial reserves "would easily (these mutual, Ed) to support the additional tax under the government without making their customers suffer," the paper concludes.

According to a study released Wednesday by UFC-Que Choisir, the French spent 25.4 billion euros in additional contributions to health in 2010, an increase of 16.6% in five years, two times higher than the increase income. And raising taxes will bring to the state 100 million euros in 2011 and $ 1.1 billion in 2012, according to government calculations.

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Deezer has won a round in the standoff between the site of listening to music online in the first world producer of music, Universal Music. For several months, Deezer available on their website from the stable of artists Universal, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, … Rihanna – without renewing his contract with the record company. The reason? Anxious to push users to pay for music, Universal Music wants to listen to a repeat title is limited to five, beyond what digital music lovers will have to pay. Stress too important to Deezer, which peaked in June, listening to music on the overall site to five hours per month.

Failing agreement, Universal Music France has turned to justice. For the subsidiary of Vivendi, Deezer is guilty of infringement. On Monday, the judge of the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris has decided otherwise and dismissed Universal.For justice, Deezer has "sufficiently established in the interim stage the possibility that the company Universal Music France has committed an abuse of dominant position which has the effect of depriving the bans based on the copyright it claims ". Thus, the court allows Deezer, which Orange is a shareholder at 11%, to continue to operate free catalog of Staff … "In conditions that were not accepted by Universal," Vivendi's subsidiary storm, with Deezer attack now on the bottom.

Find a deal

"This decision clearly express the idea that we have several models on the French market for it to grow, said Axel Dauchez his part, Director General of Deezer. Furthermore, it can not be any different solutions for each producer. "Satisfied with the decision of the court, he readily admits that the Universal catalog is "essential to the existence of Deezer" and he'll have to reach an agreement. A fortiori Deezer while preparing its international expansion. In 2012, France could be less than half the income of the start-up. It opened an office in England and is expected to announce the launch of its service in the coming days. The French experience is not foreign. In addition to tickets sold in packages Orange (1.1 million), claiming in effect Deezer 100,000 subscriptions sold directly from that listening is limited to 5 hours per month. "With success, it is logical that we seek to replicate it abroad," said Axel Dauchez.

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Shortly before opening, the U.S. stock markets were slightly higher initial approached on Monday. The index futures Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 advanced in effect 0.79% respectively at 1132.40 points from 0.98% to 2061 points, while the Dow Jones was also expected to rise by 0.6 % to 10,885 points.

The slight rebound, which may occur after a further sharp fall on Wall Street last Friday and in the wake of European markets focused more on Monday morning, should not be thwarted, at least in the short term, by some macroeconomic indicators whatsoever. In fact, no statistics major is expected on Monday to the United States. Only the index of manufacturing activity in the Chicago Fed is on the menu, at 14:30.

It will take until Tuesday to learn about sales figures for new homes, from 16 hours.Wednesday, the agenda will grow a bit, with durable goods orders for July and the weekly inventory of crude oil to the United States. Thursday, things become more serious with the weekly jobless claims, always eagerly awaited by investors on the lookout for any sign of weakness, or, conversely, improvement in U.S. growth.

Threats to U.S. growth

But the appointment will most certainly expected the intervention, Friday, Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve (Fed), some investors are hoping a third easing able to restart the engine stopped the world's largest economy.This day will be both detailed, the second estimate of U.S. gross domestic product for the second quarter, and the index of consumer confidence for August.

Markets, even if they are experiencing very high volatility, and may still show, at the same time, some caution, pending the decision of the Fed on Friday. Especially as the threats to the outlook for U.S. growth accumulates. After Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase lowered its estimates, in turn, growth in the U.S. economy. The Bank of New York discusses risk "clearly raised" a recession, while growth prospects for the third quarter were for their slightly smaller than before.The U.S. GDP growth for the fourth calendar quarter is now expected at a rate of 1% against +2.5% previously.

Vice President Joe Biden, on an official visit to China, but probably a little appeased the spirits, reaffirming this weekend at the first creditors of the country they could rely on the strength of the U.S. Treasury.

Values ​​to follow

The uncertainty is compounded room at the international level, by the events in Libya. The fall of Colonel Qaddafi, found, became clearer Monday morning, prompting oil companies to return to the values ​​of the colors. However, perhaps more in Europe than the United States. Neither Chevron (%), or ExxonMobil (+%) are actually active in the extraction of oil in Libya. These values ​​could still respond to changes in oil prices.Oil prices retreated on Monday morning.

On the corporate side, the internet telephony group Skype also announced Sunday an agreement to acquire Me Group, a provider of mobile messaging services to targeted groups. Registered in Luxembourg, the company Skype was founded in 2003 and became the world leader in Internet telephony. She is currently being acquired by Microsoft U.S. computer group (-2.51% Friday closing).

The anxiety begins to rise in the staffs of distributors. Since last May, in response to rising prices in hypermarkets and supermarkets, French households scratch some products of their shopping list. In late February, the central purchasing of hypermarkets and supermarkets had completed, in pain, their traditional annual tariff negotiations with food manufacturers and consumer products. They had had great difficulty in getting the increases they felt were necessary, given the soaring prices of raw materials.

Since March, distributors impact gradually increases on their labels. That month, prices in stores were up 0.67% over February, according to the institute Symphony IRI Group. Since then, a month to month, prices increase in radius each time by 0.50%."The return of inflation is beginning to be felt on the behavior of buyers in supermarkets," says Jacques Dupré, Director of Insight Symphony IRI Group, which analyzes the monthly receipts of all the major surfaces of the Hexagon .

The break in the trend is clear. Of the four months preceding the return of inflation on the shelves between November 2010 and February 2011, sales of food increased by 1.3%. And the next three months, between March and May, the increase slowed to only 0.4%.

Promotional pressure

In April, the phenomenal sales of water, beverages, beer and ice cream, boosted by high temperatures, have allowed supermarkets to record an exceptional increase their volumes, which jumped this month to 4 3% compared to April 2010. But since May, purchases in supermarkets are falling over one year.Month after month, the trend continues. "In July, the decline could even exceed 1%, says Jacques Dupré. Inflation continues to gain momentum. "

The drop in purchases is certainly less intense than in 2008. At the time, soaring raw materials led to an increase of 4.5% of the labels in three months, which had resulted in a decline in overall consumption of around 2% throughout the year, twice as large as that observed in the last three months.

"So far, arbitration is more about quantity than quality, said Jacques Dupré. Rather than falling in line, they buy a little less product. "As in 2008, consumers are tightening their belts.But they give up to afford one or two products "frivolous" (see box) rather than turn to the variety of entry-level or private labels (PLs) for items they value.

Despite the general rise in prices, domestic brands continued to be more resilient than labels distributor, yet less expensive. Until May, growth was consistently higher, thanks to promotions, which have proliferated in the first half.

Promotional pressure from national brands was released in June … and then returned to the private label market share for the first time in eighteen months. The situation remains tense rays than ever, and inflation could thus give a boost to brands.Contrary to what happened three years ago, the hard discount does not benefit from inflation and continues to lose market share.

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In the aftermath of a black day on world financial markets, U.S. equity markets begin this Friday on a stable note. In early trade, the Dow gained 0.03% to 11,387 points, the Nasdaq is 1.01% more frankly to 2582 points and the S & P up 0.82% to 1211 points. The markets resume with the publication of unemployment figures across the Atlantic for the better than expected in July.

Wall Street follows the movement promoted by the European stock exchanges. In Paris, the political mobilization against the bear market in Europe has slowed the drop in European indexes.

The employment figures dictate trend

In this context the assumption of a recession in the U.S. or the world, is today one of the main fears of the markets, the announcement of a significant improvement in job creation last month calm spirits on Wall Street.In recent weeks, disappointing publications on the state of the U.S. economy had, in fact, chained, challenging the idea of ​​resumption of the world's largest economy. This publication confirms the figures released Wednesday by ADP, reports of more new jobs than expected for the month of July.

At 21 hours the numbers of U.S. consumer credit for the month of June will end this week full of macroeconomic data.

Oil and euro pressure

Oil prices climbed hesitantly at the opening Friday in New York, despite the employment figures better than expected, as the market wondered if it would be sufficient to support the demand for crude in a very fragile economic environment .On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery was trading at 87.04 dollars, up 41 cents from the previous day.

This concern also weighs on the currency front, the euro was trying to rebound against the dollar but remained under pressure from macroeconomic concerns.To 15 hours in Paris, the European currency was worth 1.4224 dollars against 1.4106 dollars on Thursday night, after falling to 1.4055 dollars in early Asian trade, its lowest for three and a half weeks fast cash online.

AIG, GM and Procter & Gamble publish their accounts

On the corporate side, the semi-annual publications still dominate the news on Friday.

Thursday evening after market, the insurer AIG (-0.23% to 26.34 dollars) announced a return to the green of its accounts in the second quarter, with net earnings of $ 1.84 billion over the period, against a loss of $ 2.7 billion a year earlier. Per share, net income totaled $ 1 ($ 0.69 after tax, against $ 0.92 expected by analysts).

At the same time, and its first quarterly since its IPO on May 19, LinkedIn (-2.27% to 93.36 dollars) was positively surprised markets by announcing a turnover more than doubled the second quarter to 121 million dollars (120 euros) and net profit (4.5 million), where analysts expected a loss.

GM Motors (1.27% to 26.32 dolars) Thursday reported quarterly results exceeded expectations, with a near doubling of profits over the period.

Procter & Gamble (1.78% to 60.64 dollars) released before market on Friday for the fourth quarter of fiscal offset, net income up 15% to $ 2.51 billion.Of 2010-2011, so it shows a net profit of 11.79 Annual Statement billion, down 7% from the previous year.

Viacom (3.55% to 53.17 dollars), the parent company of MTV and Comedy Central, has reported a rise than expected in earnings thanks to strong revenue growth in advertising Cable and license agreements with websites. Its quarterly results (Q3) increased to $ 574 million against 432 million

Bank of America (1.70% to 8.98 dollars) is highly exposed to the most fragile countries in the euro zone, according to a document from the bank. The group said exposure to the tune of $ 16.7 billion (11.8 billion euros) in total to Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain in June 30Management has indicated in a document submitted to the regulatory authorities that its losses could reach up to legal $ 2.3 billion in addition to the provisions already passed for this purpose.

The ACOSS, the umbrella organization responsible for collecting Urssaf social security contributions from businesses, released its annual report. The balance sheet shows a 10% increase in the amounts recovered through adjustments made during the year 2010. More than one billion euros (1.023 billion) have been recovered from the companies.

Black labor, professional fees undeclared exemptions from incorrect, contribution rates are the cause erroneous adjustments. Pierre Burban, president of ACOSS, questioned by the quotidienLes Echos, is however clear that this increase does not mean that companies have defrauded more. "If amounts are recovered record to fund Social Security is that the controls are more effective," says he.

Undeclared work is the priority

Last year, the 1550 inspectors and 220 inspectors have examined past 43 billion euros in contributions, a total of more than 260 companies were inspected milliards.37.000. The organization's priority is the fight against undeclared work. This resulted in adjustments of 185 million euros, or 42% more than in 2009, and three times more than five years ago payday loan. In this mission, the Urssaf are supported by the Labour Inspectorate, the tax authorities, police, gendarmerie and customs. And since 2009, the tools available to collectors contributions have expanded. The Urssaf can now cancel enjoyed exemptions from a company caught in the act of undeclared work. They can also apply standard adjustments.An arsenal that has helped raise 39 million euros in 2010.

In addition to the black, the adjustments involved in the errors and abuses of exemptions on low wages overwhelmingly, but also overtime, in the free zones. In almost half of cases, adjustments are made for the company … because the annual report also states that 214 million euros of overpayment were made to businesses.

According to the report, the amount of adjustments should continue to grow in 2011. The Urssaf have indeed received instructions from the Ministry of Labour: at least 190 million euros this year will be recovered only for adjustments related to illegal work.

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This time, the Fininvest will have to pay. The court sentenced him on Saturday appealed the group owned by Silvio Berlusconi to pay 560 million euros in the CIR group, owned by Carlo de Benedetti. The judges of the Court of Appeal of Milan have found that control of the publisher Mondadori, obtained in 1991 by Fininvest, to the detriment of the EIF through a favorable court decision, was made possible by the corruption of judge and lawyers involved. In 2007, the Criminal Justice had issued a similar notice, including the judge sentenced Vottorio Metta was stationed in nearly three years in prison.

On appeal, the Milan judges, however, reduced the magnitude of the financial penalty, determined in the first instance to 750 million euros.Unlike 2007, the decision will also be immediately enforceable: Fininvest will address 560 million euros in damages without waiting for the trial to the Supreme Court that the group should seek. "Our lawyers are already beginning to study the complaint," has indeed responded Marina Berlusconi, the eldest daughter of the Head of Government and president of Fininvest. This assesses the amount of the penalty "to double the participation of Fininvest in Mondadori."

Electoral setback and legal troubles

The Cavaliere had nevertheless worked hard to save the payment of such penalty to the group. Approaching the verdict, he did not hesitate to try to vote by Parliament an amendment to the Civil Code suspending sanctions in excess of 20 million euros on appeal, until the final decision of the court of Cassation.A measure to be adopted in the Bill ratifying the austerity plan. Faced with the outcry in the opinion of this measure, the Cavaliere has this week backed down.

This decision is more bad news for the chairman, who combines political defeats in recent months and legal troubles. Also implicated in the "Rubygate" Silvio Berlusconi suffered a severe mid-June electoral setback. The Italians have indeed overwhelmingly (over 94%) rejected four bills proposed by his government and put to a referendum: one devoted to the construction of new nuclear power stations, one on the privatization of water management by municipalities, and two providing legal immunity of ministers and the chairman of the board. Silvio Berlusconi, who announced Friday he would not stand in 2013, probably did not finish with the law.

Renault is working to revive its sales in Europe in 2012. The automaker, whose image was tarnished by the case of false intelligence to launch a "flurry" of new products next year on the old continent, said La Tribune.

Starting with the renovation of smaller models. The group of diamond brand and will revamp its Twingo "with a front face far more original," says the group business daily. No time to breathe, the group will then present its model for electric car Zoe in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show prior to the market at a price of 15,000 euros from August 2012.

Then, the Clio IV will land on the market. The aim is to produce 450,000 Clio IV year, said La Tribune bad credit pay day loans. The vehicle will be produced in Bursa in Turkey but also Flins, near Paris. The new Clio will replace the previous ones.

New Dacia

On the Dacia brand, the group plans to launch a "compact van." Then the manufacturer will present models of renewed Logan and Sandero. These vehicles will be sold under the Renault brand outside Europe and Africa.

In the longer term, in 2014, new small city car produced in conjunction with Smart (Daimler) will emerge. Twingo a third version, and a smart four-seater will be produced on a single platform based in Slovenia. The year 2014 should be the revival of high-end vehicles.