Archive for the 'international' Category
The mining industry in developed countries is not quite dead. Yet the crisis of 2008 had seemed to him a fatal blow, after years of attrition caused by the scarcity and soaring costs of extraction. But today, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada … mines reopened thanks to soaring commodity prices.
Chibougamau camp, north of Montreal, had not survived the collapse of prices and had to close in 2008 after fifty years of activity. But the soaring price of copper (+47% in one year), gold (+40% in one year) and money (113% in one year) has to hope René Galipeau, CEO of Nuinsco: "Hundreds of children left when the production was closed after years of operational and financial problems.But work on only two mines could lead to the reopening of the Chibougamau camp … and the return of minors to accelerate the revival of the region. "
Nuinsco group is not the only one who had this idea. Many investors would like to reopen the largest gold mine Bontddu UK (Wales). It must be said that the price of gold rose from $ 250 per ounce in 1999 to 1850 dollars lately!
Local authorities are sometimes hostile
"When we closed the mine, it had become too expensive to operate but with the rising price of gold, we are considering reopening the Clogau mine," Wales said Ken Jones, manager of marketing Clogau Gold jewelry company which owned the rights to the mine.
Other metals are benefiting from soaring prices.Thus, the largest silver mine in the United States will also open in Texas as well as the Chino Mine (copper) in New Mexico. In Britain, the last tin mine, South Crofty Mine, closed in 1998, remember to return to activity. The metal price has increased fivefold over the period (+51% over the year).
Nevertheless, we are still far from the great return of the mining industry. Two challenges are needed to interested investors: the financing of such a project (Nuinsco believes that it would require 40 to 50 million dollars to revive the Chibougamau camp) and agreement with local authorities, sometimes hostile projects. This is the case in South Crofty in England, where the community wants to build a recreation center on the site.
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In Berlin
Leading economic powers of the continent, Germany continues to print a rapid pace in the consolidation of public accounts. The Federal Ministry of Finance has fixed Monday downward its forecast deficit for fiscal 2011, reducing it to 1.5% of GDP, against 2.5% so far.
With seven consecutive months of increases, tax revenues fueled by favorable economic conditions help to clear the accounts. Despite the crisis of the euro and the slowdown brutal (0.1%) of growth in the second quarter, Germany displays unique performance in Europe. It is even "a balanced budget in 2014," according to the monthly report of the Ministry of Finance.
As good news never comes alone, the Bundesbank has maintained its growth forecast for the year, around 3%, despite the uncertainties on the global economy.Uncertainties also swept by the Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, who sees "no signs of recession on the horizon" and "no cause for concern," despite the decline in exports and domestic consumption, traditional 'heel Achilles of the economy across the Rhine. With these results, which provide water to his mill, Germany does not want to break the pattern that ensures its development. With even greater risk of stuck behind its partners in the crisis and strengthen the idea of a Euro at two speeds. The Eurobonds are still seen in Berlin as a bad idea. Such obligations could put a strain on public accounts and stopping growth. Estimates vary, but the most pessimistic estimate that the pooling of risk could cost 25 billion per year budget.Half the projected deficit for this year.
Meet Baroin
In its traditional large back-up interview on public television, Chancellor Merkel called Eurobonds "wrong answer to the crisis." And showed its determination in the battle with speculators, "The markets want to force us to do things that we do not want to. Policies can not and should not run behind the markets. "The only Conservative leader weight to leave the door open to this option is Wolfgang Schäuble. However, it is satisfied that it is necessary first to establish a common budgetary and fiscal policy. He will discuss this and a tax on financial transactions at the meeting scheduled for Tuesday morning in Paris with his French counterpart, Francois Baroin.The two men were responsible for making joint Franco-German proposals on these two subjects in the fall.
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"Apple against the disadvantaged." The title of the last note on the market shelves DisplaySearch force hardly relate. Competitors of the iPad accumulate disappointments.
Motorola announced last week it sold 440,000 of its shelves Xoom in the last quarter, which is better than expected. But it has revised downward its objectives for 2011. He no longer expects to sell 2 million in the year, but between 1.3 million and 1.5 million. Even though Motorola has introduced an offer to pay 100 euros for the purchase of the tablet, initially at 579 euros. "Apple has set the benchmark price for a tablet of 16 GB Wi-Fi is 499 euros – or dollars – no more," says an analyst. And even at that price, it does not. Motorola is far from the only one to have experienced. Acer has drastically revised its ambitions.Taiwan is now focusing on the annual sales of between 2.5 million and 3 million, far 5 to 7 million initially planned. Others could follow, including RIM. The manufacturer of the BlackBerry Playbook sold 500,000 in one quarter, but sales have slowed rapidly.
The price cuts and promotions of all kinds pose another risk in the market: consumers lose the notion of "fair price".
The tablets could have been a generator margins for manufacturers, but by reviewing their rates too quickly, they may have already lost the opportunity. "Brands and retailers that compete with Apple running after him, and in their desperation, they might be digging their own graves, says a study by DisplaySearch guaranteed payday loans.This gives the impression that these products are not completely finished. "So, with 9 million iPad sold in three months without any price cut, Apple seems unassailable, fumbling away the beginnings of the iPhone and revisions price.
Fade margins
Competition does not, however, weakens. Samsung will launch two new versions of the tablet at the end of the month, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 8.9. They will be sold, respectively, to 489 euros and 459 euros for the 16 GB Wi-Fi, exactly the price of an iPad. By choosing a price positioning similar to Apple, Samsung is also taking a big risk in case of commercial failure, it will have little excuse. And while the competition on the market shelves is expected to increase further by year-end.Other players will enter weight, such as Sony and Fujitsu.
Why this craze for tablets, while only Apple seems to succeed at the game? Because more and more industry players are convinced that very quickly supplant the PC shelves in homes. Joseph Reger, CTO of Fujitsu, said he was "convinced that sales of Tablet PCs will exceed those of (netbooks and notebooks) to consumers by 2016." He also said that Amazon could launch a $ 299 tablet: "A consumer could afford them two for the price of a PC." Shelves would meet the main expectations of individuals, more likely to consult the content to create. They therefore prefer the portability and ease of use. Used in any room of the house, they would disappear the concept of office. Saves space in store!
"From madness in its purest form," "a descent into hell", "a second recession" … The decision by S & P to sacrifice the "AAA" America is strong criticism from the investment community, acted unreasonably, and falls to the "worst moment", while financial markets come to wipe the worst week since the 2008 crisis . The U.S. government itself deplores the decision of the agency, marred by a miscalculation.
• John Bellows, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
In a note posted on his blog, John Bellows has detailed the error of 2000 billion, and deplores the fact that S & P has not reconsidered its decision and has not "given an extra day to reassess carefully the analysis. (…).The size of this error, and the speed with which S & P changed its primary justification when he presented this error, raise fundamental questions about the credibility and integrity of the decision by S & P on this note, "he added.
• Warren Buffett, one of the gurus of global finance
"If there was an A + grade four, this is it I would give the United States," launched the famous billionaire 80 years on the air Fox Business News. "I do not think we (the U.S.) live a second recession," said the oracle of Omaha.
• Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize for Economics
"These people are certainly not in a position to make judgments," he was lampooned on Saturday, recalling the "AAA" distributed by S & P and its competitors to "toxic" cause of the crash world of Fall 2008.Same story with Robert Reich, former labor secretary in Bill Clinton: "The intrusion of S & P in American politics (…) is ironic because, as I noted recently, much of our debt today is directly or indirectly due to failures of S & P, "he wrote on a blog.
• Daniel Alpert, Westwood Capital founder
"The size of the economy of the United States, the wealth of their citizens and assets of the federal state itself are certainly more than adequate to repay with interest all of a few billion and 14,000 dollars of debt in the country, "said he.
• Mohamed El-Erian, head of Newport Beach
Degradation will "feed the uncertainties in the functioning of the global economy, since no other" AAA "which is able and wants to supplement or even replace the role of the United States at the center of the system Global Financial "
• Steen Jakobsen, chief economist at Saxo Bank
"Welcome to Crisis 2.0! 1.0 The crisis was the failure of the banking system to wipe the losses stemming from U.S. mortgages at risk (…).This has created a run on banks that have policies determined by moving the debt burden of the private sector to the public sector, "says he."It worked in the short term, but as seen in Europe, the market questions the ability of governments to repay their debt."
• Jean-Hervé Lorenzi, President of the Circle of economists in France
This decision is "madness in its purest form because the Americans are in their ability to repay debt one hour payday loan."
• Elie Cohen, an economist and director of research at CNRS
"In the current crisis," the degradation "adds an extra log on the fire that is taking," he laments.
• Paul Dales, analyst at Capital Economics
"The fact that Standard and Poor's has finally pulled the trigger by passing the debt rating of the United States from AAA to AA + will undoubtedly shake the financial markets opening Monday at their (…).If the mess in the markets continues, the risk of recession will increase further, "he warns.
• Ciaran O'Hagan, rates strategist at Societe Generale
"Even if it was half expected, it is a serious decision. The impact will be far reaching, "Ciaran O'Hagan omen, who fears that we have opened a" Pandora's box. " He said the decision will affect somewhat the "risk-free assets (government bonds) but the response will focus on the highest risk assets, including shares and agencies directly guaranteed by the federal government."
• Charles Wyplosz, an economics professor for Advanced Studies in Geneva
The decision by Standard and Poor's "will cause ripple effects on Spain and Italy and France put pressure (…).The euro area falls into the abyss, "he alarmed.
• Thomas Chalumeau, in Terra Nova, close to the PS
In the bond market, "we are moving towards a sustainable price increases in interest rates applied to debts of the States, the United States and Europe (…). There will be an adjustment of public expenditure by raising taxes and charges.The systematic risk of a greater austerity is to maintain unemployment at a high level, "puts it on hold.
The defense of S & P
The unprecedented deterioration of the U.S. sovereign debt "is not a sanction, much less punishment," said his part Jean-Michel Six, chief economist for Europe, Standard & Poor's.
Simply, according to David Beers, head of the department in charge of sovereign debt rating from S & P, "The downgrade reflects our view that the efficiency, stability and predictability with regard to the development policy measures and political institutions of the United States have weakened, in a time of fiscal and economic challenges that continues, even more pronounced than what we envisioned when we assigned a negative outlook to the note on 18 April 2011. "For him, "the bipartisan plan to reduce debt was not strong enough to bring long-term fiscal situation of the United States on a sound.
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Cyprus is on the brink both economically and politically. Many speculate that the country, which joined the euro in 2008 to become the fourth of the area to apply for financial support.
The situation worsened with the explosion on July 11 last of a shipment of arms on a naval base. The tragedy left 13 dead and destroyed the main power plant on the island that produced 60% of its electricity. Since the disaster, Cyprus is facing a government crisis. Daily demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Demetris Christofias. To calm discontent, the latter requested the July 28 resignation of the government to conduct a reshuffle.
In addition, the economy ends up weaker than ever. The rating agency Moody's has revised its forecast for GDP growth of 1.5% this year and 2.5% in 2012 down after the explosion.It provides stability in 2011 and a 1% growth in 2012. In addition to the cost of rebuilding the plant and import of electricity in the interval – valued at over one billion euros – daily cuts disrupt an economy already weakened by the crisis. As a result, Standard & Poor's and Moody's both lowered the rating last week in Cyprus due to budgetary concerns of the country.
The banks are the Achilles heel of the Cypriots. Bank of Cyprus, the largest financial institution on the island, called earlier this week the government in Nicosia to take prompt action to prevent the country does need a financial rescue plan. "Unless we act, we risk the ability of the state to refinance and the consequences will be immediate and serious," the bank said in a statement.
The deficit is widening
Especially since the official debt of Cyprus – which is about 61% of GDP – may actually be higher according to some experts. End of 2010, the agency Stock Watch estimates that the debt was around Cyprus 105% of GDP, if we include the debt of social security funds. Enough to feed all the speculation? The spokesman of the Commissioner of Financial Services, Chantal Hughes said Tuesday he was "no question of an assistance plan" because the country is "determined to do what is necessary in terms of fiscal consolidation" . However, the deficit in the first half widened sharply, reaching 3.5% of GDP against 1.9% a year earlier.
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It was expected, it's now official: Michelin has raised its target sales volume of the current year, the prospect of a return of the markets at their own pace before the crisis. On the occasion of the publication of interim results of good quality, the tire giant announced a target of 8% increase in sales volumes in 2011, against a 6.5% increase expected before. "The environment in the second half should be marked by continued market growth at a pace closer to the long-term trends," said the OEM Clermont.
The world's largest tire with Japan's Bridgestone has also confirmed its forecast of growth in operating profit over the full year. In the first half, he totaled 971 million, up 18%.Net income increased it from 32.6% to 667 million euros, a figure above analysts' expectations.
Offset additional costs of raw materials
And over the period, the volume of the Michelin rose 12.6%, supporting the net sales that rose 21% to 10.1 billion euros over the period. The price effect also explains the increase in group sales up 9%.
And the group plans to continue to maintain a policy of raising prices to offset soaring raw materials, mainly the rise in natural rubber. The extra cost of higher commodity prices is estimated at 1.8 billion euros in a full year by the group but should be offset 100% against 80% previously.
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Still no solution. The elected representatives of the U.S. Congress again tried Sunday to reach an agreement on raising the debt ceiling, but without success. Democrats and Republicans had themselves set a target to announce progress on a plan for deficit reduction before the opening of Asian financial markets on Monday morning. The disappointment of investors is large, the Asian financial centers such as the Paris Bourse.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sought Monday to reassure Asian markets: "I am confident that Congress will do what is needed and will come to an agreement on the debt ceiling, and work with President Obama on measures to improve our long-term fiscal outlook, "she said in the text sent in advance of a speech in Hong Kong.
Members of both parties decided to work separately on separate projects. The chairman of the House of Representatives, Republican John Boehner, now plans to announce a plan at 14 am local time (20 hours in Paris).
"Nobody wants a failure"
John Boehner told his troops last night that no breakthrough had yet been obtained to repel the specter of a failure of the United States after August 2. According to two officials, he would have repeated in a conference call that "no one wants a failure." But he also warned his party's elected they may need to make "sacrifices" to avoid it.
Twice since Friday night, the talks between the two sides have failed to unlock the status quo on the action to start to reduce the U.S. debt.Friday night, the country experienced a further escalation in the standoff between Democrats and Republicans, they refused to pander to Barack Obama. The Democrats call indeed now $ 400 billion of additional tax increases. A change of position is unacceptable, according to John Boehner, while the two sides had previously agreed to a ceiling of one trillion dollars in additional tax revenue bad credit payday advance. Saturday evening, the President was therefore convened in emergency to four White House officials Republicans and Democrats in Congress for a new emergency meeting. But no more successful in negotiations, after 50 minutes of discussion.
Democratic side, the president believes that the 1.6 trillion cuts represent an offer "extraordinarily fair".Republican side, these efforts remain insufficient to John Boehner, who wishes to bring to 3 trillion budget savings over ten years.
Critical deadlines
Given the failure of talks between the president and elected representatives of both chambers, the compromise could eventually go through further discussion within Congress. If a common ground on removing the ceiling on debt seems likely, no party could only be satisfied with this short term solution, and discussions on the reduction of public spending should be more difficult. One observation that seems to share Timothy Geithner.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary said yesterday that there would probably have two stages for an agreement, first raising the debt ceiling and an agreement on spending cuts and a second stage of higher taxes and reforms.Whatever the timing adopted, it was also described as "unthinkable" that the United States do not meet their debt obligations. And as Barack Obama, who does not want the thorny issue of debt re-emerged during the election year ahead, Timothy Geithner wants to avert the threat of a default for at least 18 months, but at nine days the deadline of August 2, the time is now critical.
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The French debt will be increased by about 15 billion euros by 2014 due to the implementation of the plan of aid to Greece reached Thursday night, Francois Fillon said on Friday.
The Prime Minister also called the agreement by EU leaders on a rescue plan for Greece to step absolutely decisive for the euro area.
This increase in debt could undermine the government's objective to begin to reduce the debt ratios of France from 2013.
The Brussels agreement, which owes much to the efforts of France and Germany, pemettra to avoid bankruptcy of some countries in the euro area, said the Prime Minister after explaining the decisions taken Thursday to French parliamentarians at Matignon.
The "golden rule" would entrench the need to reduce deficits in the French Constitution is more than ever, still says the head of government.
The earthquake of March 11 in Japan can be seen in the accounts of the mobile phone manufacturer Sony Ericsson. Controlled equally by the Japanese Sony and Swedish Ericsson, the joint venture made a loss of 50 million euros in the second quarter, the first for over a year. Its turnover was also affected, falling 32% to 1.19 billion euros.
"The impact of the earthquake has had an impact on the supply chain and delivery of approximately 1.5 million product especially at the beginning of the quarter," said the Swede Bert Nordberg, CEO of Sony Ericsson. Its mobile phone sales declined to 7.6 million units. What Sony Ericsson should immerse the tenth largest in the world.
Already, the whole of 2010, the group had fallen to sixth place, because of Apple's breakthrough in the rankings, according to research firm Gartner.Then, in the first quarter, Sony Ericsson has continued its descent into hell to register for the ninth World manufacturers. The thrust of the champions of smartphones such as Apple, Samsung, Research in Motion, which manufactures the BlackBerry, and the Taiwanese HTC, very involved in the smartphone using Google's Android, partly explains the loss of land. However, even the American and Chinese ZTE Motorola went to Sony Ericsson.
Play the card Android
Xperia product line, totaling 16 million units, has been slow to be renewed, which explains the loss of land until the first quarter of 2011. However, recent losses do not affect the strategy of the joint venture. This is a "hiccup." "We do not change our goals, plans or anything.We see a great demand for our products and we approach the last two quarters in a very positive, "said the boss of Sony Ericsson. The focus on Android, the Google operating system for smartphones, the most sold in the world. Already 70% of its sales of smart phones, designed to connect to the Internet, are equipped with Google software. Sony Ericsson claims therefore about 11% of the global market segment. Bert Nordberg hopes to achieve, ultimately quarter sales of Google Phone in the world. But it does not specify when this should occur.
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The higher the debt crisis is intensifying and European gold is getting stronger. The metal price has risen late Thursday at a new record of 1594.45 dollars approaching the threshold of 1600 dollars per ounce, still supported by concerns about the debt crisis in the euro zone and the renewed nervousness around indebtedness of the United States. The metal is "overbought in a configuration that is generally followed by a phase correction with profit taking," said Alexandre Taurand, market analyst at XTB France.
Since early July, the Yellow Gold has gained nearly 60 dollars and grew by more than 2% in five days. A craze that is also explained by its role as a refuge for investors wishing to protect themselves against currency volatility, turbulence government bonds and inflation pressures persist.Since the beginning of the month, the disturbing news in the euro area accumulates. Standard & Poor's warned that a draft agreement between Greece and private creditors would be equivalent to a default under its criteria. On Tuesday, the working group to find a solution to save the country from bankruptcy said he did not exclude a more "partial failure" Greek. Moody's lowered the rating of Portugal and the eyes are now to Italy and Spain where the rates of bonds soaring.
Investors are not convinced by the ads of European finance ministers that provide control to prevent contagion. The latter said they were willing to increase the size of the Fund for financial help. They are also considering a "lengthening of maturities of loans" made to give more time to countries in difficulty to repay their debt. But nothing works.Tuesday again, plummeting stock markets in Europe reflected a continuing concern.
All eyes turned to Italy
"Unlike money, which is currently trading on the area of 35.50 dollars an ounce and is a turning point towards lower, gold is playing its role as a refuge and is one of few underlying advantage of the situation, "says Alexandre Taurand.
In his view, two scenarios are emerging now for the precious metal, "If the price settles above the area of 1547.11 dollars, then maybe we would pause in the middle before a new upward impulse to try re-cross the area of 1557 dollars per ounce. In the event that the price of gold were to fall below the 1545 dollars, then we would have a target level of support for 1541 dollars, "said he.But can not decide yet, "there are a lot of uncertainty. Investors are focused on the Italian austerity plan (on which Parliament must decide by by the summer break, ed.) They also monitor the situation in the United States with the vote on the debt ceiling to be held by 2 August. "
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