July 4, 2010
"If we do not change policy, we will in the wall." Jacques Attali, President of PlanetFinance and author of a book entitled "All ruined in ten years? Public debt: the last chance "does not beat around the bush. After a week when financial markets are worried about the emergence of a new recession, former adviser to Francois Mitterrand and confirms that the government must halt the rise in public debt. And for this, a policy of austerity. "We're on the brink of a global deflation as it has ever seen for a century and a half," he said.
In alarm that has not failed to react as President of the European Central Bank (ECB). "I do not think the risk of a recession.Globally, it is clear that we are in a recovery phase, confirmed particularly in the emerging world, but also in the industrialized world, "said Jean-Claude Trichet. That did not stop to be careful. "Growth is not written in the industrialized world, it depends on the ability of countries to strengthen the confidence of households, firms and enterprises," he says.
Grand European loan
Europe is not doomed to stagnation. According to economists, big bosses and politicians gathered in Aix-en-Provence Economic Forum for the Old Continent has to reform, reduce deficits and build on innovation. "Without policy change, the growth potential of Europe for the next ten years will be around 1.3% to 1.5% per year.We would then take years to regain the levels of unemployment pre-crisis, "says economist Christian de Boissieu.
For this, the Circle of economists in favor of a large loan eueuropéen, referring to the one established last year by Nicolas Sarkozy. The idea is, like its sister French, invest in innovation, green technology or education. "Innovation and services are crucial. The deindustrialization of the United States had no areas of very high technology, because they have attracted the intelligence world, "says Louis Welsh, president of EADS.
"Place of Culture and Tourism
The question is how to articulate these priorities, fiscal consolidation and sustaining growth -. Hence the idea of an overhaul of EU policies.In short, Europe must "change the growth model," according to former Prime Minister Alain Juppe. "The EU lacks coherence between its short and medium term focus on reducing deficits, and the long term that seeks to promote investment in the knowledge economy," says economist Agnes Benassy-Quere.
Far from being able to display growth rates comparable to those of emerging countries, Europe has every interest to agree on next steps. Otherwise it will be reduced to "a place of culture and tourism," says Jean-Hervé Lorenzi, President of Circle of economists.
ALSO READ:
"European governments in the era of austerity
July 2, 2010
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic
June 30, 2010
• Transport
– Station: Ticket prices for trains Coral, Intercity and TER (Regional Express Train) will increase an average of 2.5%. This will result in higher ticket from 10 cents to 2.30 euros depending on distance traveled during the trip.
As for the discount cards (cards 12-25, Senior, and Child Escapes +), their prices remain unchanged.
– RATP: The price of individual tickets will go from 1.60 euro to 1.70 euro.
Subscriptions Navigo will also increase, except for packages zone 1-5 and 1-6.The monthly Zones 1 and 2 (Paris and suburbs) rises from 56.60 to 60.40 euros (+6.7%), the zones 1-3 of 74.40 to 78.20 euros (+ 5.1%) and the zones 1 to 4 from 91.70 to 95.50 euros (+4.1%).
• Energy
– Gas: After an initial increase in April, prices will increase again by 2% to 4.7% (about 8 euros per year for those who use gas for hot water and cooking 45 per year for those who use it also for heating)
– Bulbs: As part of the scheduled end of incandescents in the EU to promote energy saving, incandescent lamps of 60 watts are removed from store shelves.Those whose power was 100 watts or more have disappeared from shelves in 2009.
• Bonus for scrap
The premium case is lowered to 500 euros instead of 700 for any car ordered until December 31.
• Stamps
The price of postage for mailings of letters under 20 grams, will increase by two cents from 56-58 cents, an increase of 3.5%.
• Retirement
The index points which is the basis for calculating salary in three public (state, territorial and hospital) must be revalued by 0.5%.
• Unemployment benefits
Allowances of approximately two million unemployed by unemployment insurance compensation will be revalued by 1.2%.
• Communication
– Hadopi: It is from this Thursday that the first warnings will be mailed to users in violation of the law on downloading.
– Phone: The price of calls made and received from another EU country (roaming within Europe) will be reduced to 39 cents per minute excluding VAT cons 43 cent today. Receiving a call will be charged € 0.15 per minute instead of EUR 0.19.The SMS tariff remains unchanged for its 11 cents per message.
• Business and Disability
Firms with more than 20 employees employ any disabled person and took no action to promote employment of disabled people will have their penalties tripled to about 13,000 euros per person missing.
• Livret A
Currently at its lowest level since its inception to 1.25% – Return of the booklet A should move to 1.50% or 1.75% from 1 August by Budget Minister Francois Baroin.
June 28, 2010
"Our goal is to aim Iran where it hurts most." The words are clear, crisp and sharp. The Democratic majority leader Harry Reid's Senate on Monday spoke uncompromisingly after both houses of Congress last Thursday adopted sanctions against Iran, aimed at forcing the country to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
This series of steps that must still be signed by President Barack Obama seeks to reduce the supply of gasoline to Iran.It involves companies or their affiliates doing business with the country providing refined petroleum products or helping to develop refining capacity.
Christophe de Margerie warned
Thus, Total said, speaking through his spokesman Monday that the suspension of deliveries of petroleum products to Iran, confirming information the website of the Financial Times Sunday. Total joins BP and Royal Dutch Shell in the list of petroleum companies halting oil sales to Iran cash till payday. Last April, Christophe de Margerie, Total's then CEO had said his group would stop sales to Iran if the U.S. legislation penalizing companies providing Teheran in petroleum products was adopted.
The group chaired by Christophe de Margerie declined to say more, including specifying the date of termination of deliveries nor the volumes of oil involved According to a source close to the oil group, it would be "marginal quantities" . To believe the traders interviewed by the Financial Times, shipments have been stopped "about a month ago.
Fourth largest crude producer, Iran lacks refinery on its national soil, and thus depends heavily on imports for its supply of gasoline and refined products.
At the Paris Stock Exchange, Total closed up 0.66% to 38.13 euros in a market up 1.61% to 3576 points.
June 27, 2010
Fiercely negotiated three days in Toronto, the draft statement of the G20 should offend anyone. If it includes the rigorous growth strategy, it also warns against excessive austerity. Still as unpopular worldwide, the tax credit is mentioned by the G20 as a means available to states to pass through to the banks of the crisis mess. The 28 pages of draft final declaration, which obtained a copy of Figaro, operate a subtle synthesis between European and American positions.
Angela Merkel can boast of having imposed the virtues of fiscal discipline at the highest level. But to the relief of Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy, she has not transformed the G20 summit of austerity."Recent events show the importance of sustainable public finances and the need for our countries to implement measures to consolidate budget spread over time, conducive to growth, and differentiated according to country and national circumstances," says the One of the phrases most discussed compromise.
Determined to make growth "priority" of the G20, the United States got to place the term "recovery" prominently in the declaration, a challenge, says a trader. "We need to let it work through our plans to consolidate fiscal stimulus recovery," said the G20 as well. "Adjustments in simultaneous biggest countries could undermine the recovery," it added.
Disagreement over the top on bank charges
Canada has not really managed to impose a stability pact worldwide."Advanced economies have pledged to take measures to consolidate budgetary decline by at least half the deficit by 2013, and stabilize or reduce the debt / GDP ratio by 2016, said the G20. Nothing that does very afraid of the euro area, or even France, which has promised to reduce its deficit to 3% in 2013. The White House, meanwhile, did not wait for the G20 to commit to reducing the U.S. budget deficit by half in 2013 to return to deficits of 3% in 2015.
If the disagreement at the summit endorsed the tax credit, due to strong opposition from Canada to Australia, but also emerging countries (China, India, Russia), the G20 mention the tax as an option for countries seeking to save public money in any future banking crisis.Defended by the IMF, the tax would be adjusted to take the risk profile of financial institutions.
ALSO READ: "G20: disagreements about bank charges" Deficit reduction in the heart of the G20 "G20: Sarkozy is located in the Obama camp
June 25, 2010
The purchasing power has registered a decline of 0.1%.
In the U.S., the third estimate of GDP is known to 14:30.
Banks up
As for values, Credit Agricole (-1.7%) Societe Generale (1.4%) BNP Paribas (+1.1%) and Axa (1.32%) appear at the top of the charts of best performance of the CAC 40, behind Vivendu which grimpede 1.7% to 17.5 euros.
In contrast, the values cars are worth, including Peugeot plir 0.67%, Renault, 0.36%, 0.6% Michelin. Construction is bad too, with Lafarge (-0.96%), largest decline, and Saint-Gobain (-0.25%).
Latecoère: 2.56% to 6 euros According to Le Figaro, the aerospace supplier will propose to its shareholders on Friday, meeting in General Assembly, the free allocation of share purchase warrants (BSA) in 2012.
The EDF Group postponed its decision to invest in an LNG terminal in Dunkirk (Northern), said Thursday a spokesman for the group. This terminal was supposed to compensate for some job losses related to the closure of the refinery from Total.
Computer Services sector companies might respond to better than expected quarterly results announced Thursday evening by Accenture. The Group's net profit stood at 564 million dollars (457 million euros), or $ 0.73 per share against 537 million ($ 0.68 per share) a year ago and $ 0.69 expected by Wall Street.
Alstom: -0.5% to 38.3 euros French industrial group on Thursday launched a U.S. production plant turbines, especially for nuclear power generation, for which he has invested about $ 300 million, according to a statement.
June 24, 2010
This is a first since early 2010. In the month of May, the French have spent more money on their livert A investor.
According to the Deposit and Consignment Office (CDC), withdrawals exceed deposits were $ 310 million. Net inflows (deposits less withdrawals) remains positive on the first five months of the year of 2.49 billion. In late May, are deposited on the Livret A, held by 50 million French people, amounted to 187.4 billion euros.
For its part, the booklet Sustainable Development (LDD) has seen its assets (deposits) to fall by 460 million euros in May
The rate of the Livret A, which is the same as LDD, is blocked since 1 August 2009 to 1.25%, the lowest level since its inception in 1818. However, it should be increased to 1.5% or 1.75% on 1 August, as announced by the Minister of Budget Baroin.
Even increased, the rate will remain below the 4% achieved two years ago.
ALSO READ:
The Livret A rate will be raised in August
June 23, 2010
The British government announced austerity cure the biggest since the Second World War. The measures announced thus leave little room for surprise. On Tuesday before the Parliament, the finance minister George Osborne has announced that his government had a deficit of 1.1% in 2015-16 against 10.1% this year. This means that the deficit would increase from 149 billion pounds in 2010 to 20 billion in 2015/16.
To achieve this objective, the minister calls for reducing departmental running costs of 30 billion pounds per year by 2014-2015. The expenditure review will be presented to Parliament on 20 October. The salaries of public servants will be frozen for two years.Similarly, net borrowing of the state are scaled down to 149 billion pounds this year, six billion less than expected last week by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the new independent oversight body budget. The net borrowing should be reduced to 116 billion pounds in 2011-2012 to 89 billion in 2012-2013, then gradually to 20 billion in 2015-2016.
Among other measures announced: an increase in VAT, which will be increased to 20% from January 4, 2011, against 17.5% currently. "By the end of the mandate of the current Parliament, this measure alone will bring more than 13 billion pounds per year of additional revenue. This is 13 billion pounds that we will not find a reduction in spending or a tax increase on income, "he said. The tax on capital gains will also spend 18% to 28% from midnight.
The government also plans to raise the legal age of retirement at age 66. Similarly, a decline of social protection spending is projected to save 11 billion pounds by 4-5 years.
Tax on banks
In addition it will create a tax on banks apply from January next year to British and foreign institutions. This new tax will be calculated on the basis of the balance sheets of banks and mutual groups and British subsidiaries of foreign banks' local payday loans for self employed. "Once fully in place, we expect that the tax will generate more than two billion pounds of annual revenue," he said. The Alcohol, tobacco and fuel will not be taxed.
Changes are also in the agenda on taxes.George Osborne announces plans to cut one percentage point per year for four years the corporation tax to bring it to 24% against 28% currently. "This will give us the lowest rate of major Western economies and the lowest rate of G20," he added. Tax relief for 23 million taxpayers paying the lower tax bracket (20%) will be increased by £ 1,000 in April 2011, allowing them to save 170 pounds each. "The burden" will be "fairly shared", according to the minister.
Growth revised downwards
This budget "emergency", described as "inevitable", will impact on growth of the United Kingdom. The British economy should grow more slowly than expected due to fiscal consolidation. Growth in 2011 is revised downwards to 2.3% in 2011 against 2.6% expected by the OBR.But the minister provided an acceleration thereafter: 2.8% in 2012 and 2.9% in 2013.
"We are on track to reduce debt and achieve a structural budget balance by the end of this legislature, George Osborne promises.
Rejection of the Euro
George Osborne in the wake on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the service of his department who was assigned to work on a possible accession of the United Kingdom to the euro. "I can confirm that, as stated in the coalition agreement, this government will not adopt the euro during this Parliament.So I put away the Treasury Department responsible for preparing for the euro, "he told the House of Commons.
The new government combining conservative and liberal Democrats from the legislative elections of May 6, had promised in his coalition program that the United Kingdom does not adopt the euro and making no such move during the term.
ALSO READ:
David Cameron puts the English on bread
June 19, 2010
He has held eight weeks. The CEO of BP, Tony Hayward, should hand over the management of the oil spill from the Gulf of Mexico to another group leader, Robert Dudley. The ad, albeit tempered by a spokesman for the moment, was made by Carl-Henric Svanberg, president of the group, during an interview with Sky News on Friday. "He went there just after the explosion. It will now transmit the management operations on a day-to-day to Robert Dudley, "he said.
Robert Dudley, a member of the board of directors of the group is in charge of operations in the Americas and Asia. Tony Hayward had already chosen earlier this month to lead a team to manage, with the authorities, long-term consequences of the spill after it had ceased.
A president on Platter
According to several analysts, heads could also fall after the U.S. congressional hearings. Observers say that Tony Hayward was well out of the question-answer session with U.S. lawmakers. The announcement of the creation of a fund of 20 billion dollars had quieted some of the fears of investors. "The provision of Tony Hayward has not been great but it could have been worse. As a shareholder, our priority was to see that all energies were concentrated on repairing the broken sink, "said anonymously to Reuters one of the ten largest shareholders of the group.
The Director General could therefore keep his job. It might be different from President Carl-Henric Svanberg."We believe Tony Hayward is doing all it can do, but the chairman of the board of directors does it not come out that well at all. It almost did not hear, "says shareholder. Another investor in the list of top 20 shareholders of the group added: "From my point of view, it will be very, very difficult for the president to overcome that. This function must be occupied by someone credible on the international scene, and it is clear that this is not the case with the incumbent.
Same view for Peter Hitchens, analyst at Panmure Gordon: "There is more pressure on the president who was, at least initially, very little known. I think at this point, we'll have someone go, so BP is in trouble. " "Obviously, everybody is looking for a scapegoat.This could be the president, "said his side Yevgeny Solovyov, an analyst at Societe Generale.
"We will survive"
Faced with this pressure, Carl-Henric Svanberg trying to stay focused. "BP is a very solid company and we will survive," he said. He said a disappearance of the band because of this disaster "can not happen."
The spill in the Gulf of Mexico has so far cost the group $ 1.8 billion, and the bill could rise considerably. In criminal prosecutions, the company may have to pay tens of billions of dollars in legal fees alone. Analysts estimate that the total cost of the disaster for BP should be between 17 and 60 billion dollars.
"On the 24-hour period ending at midnight last night, we were able to recover 25,000 barrels of oil," Friday welcomed Admiral Thad Allen to coordinate the fight against the tide black. He added that BP expected increase this volume to 53,000 barrels per day by end June So far, BP recovered 15,000 barrels per day, while the well is located 1,500 meters deep and 80 miles from U.S. shores spits every day between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels (up to 9.5 million liters) of oil .
ALSO READ:
"BP manhandled by the rating agencies
"BP is surrounded to avoid bankruptcy or a hostile takeover
"Oil slick: Obama promises to pay for the damage to BP
June 18, 2010
LE FIGARO – The backbone of "retirement" is specific to staff align their contribution rate over that of private sector employees. Why?
Georges Tron – We want a clear and equitable reform. Nothing justifies to contribute three points behind, having comparable pensions. This represents an increase of 6 euros of contributions, on an average salary of 2000 euros a month for ten years.
The calculation of the pension on the last six months of salary, instead of twenty-five best years, is also a symbol of inequity for the opinion …
Wrongly so, if you look calmly at things! We are in a very specific body, grades, levels, indices, with premiums that are excluded from the calculation of the pension.The only question worth asking is: these rules they generate large differences in pay and pensions? The answer is no.
Why have kept "active groups" instead of applying to civil servants the opportunity to retire early for hardship, which will soon be applied in the private sector?
Occupations in uniform (police, firefighters, prison guards …) can effectively retire at 50 or 55 years. It is an old way to take into account how hard these jobs, which nobody denies. The classes are kept active but these floors will be carried over age two years, as for everyone.
You open next Friday, a salary negotiation. Bercy pushes you to a freezing point index.The 0.5% increase for July 1, promised two years ago by Éric Woerth, Will it be good?
While it is important to keep its commitments, we must be lucid about the state of public accounts. This first session will assess the progress of the purchasing power of workers in 2009 and expected for 2010. Based on this diagnosis, I hope shared with the unions, we will be open to discussion. One thing is certain: the issue of pensions is, Eric Woerth and I disconnected from that of wages. There is no question of compensating the first by the second. This would immediately cancel the legitimate efforts and gradual asked officials on pensions, that nobody would understand.
ALSO READ:
"Retirement at age 62: the project is on the table
"Pensions: a majority of French opposed the reform
Comments Off