Prudence the NYSE

The U.S. stock market should be reluctant to take on the leadership on Monday. The index futures are predicting a slight decline in opening of U.S. markets. The index futures Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 fell back in effect respectively by 0.13% to 1099.50 points from 0.04% to 1873.10 points.

On Friday, the NYSE has ended sharply higher, buoyed by another round of quarterly results from U.S. companies of good quality and were reassured on the results of resistance testing in European banks. The Dow Jones gained 0.99% and the Nasdaq 1.05%. On the whole last week, the Dow Jones gained 3.23% and the Nasdaq rose 4.15%.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro steadied against the dollar. In the morning, it was worth 1.2901 dollars against 1.2906 dollars on Friday.

A busy week on the macroeconomic level.Today investors expect the sales figures for new housing. Another highlight, the U.S. central bank should publish its Beige Book Wednesday on the economic conditions. It will be very guarded while the president of the institution, Ben Bernanke said Wednesday before Congress the slow recovery, with no announcement of new funding in the economy.

On Tuesday, it is the Standard & Poor's / Case Schiller home prices and consumer confidence, which will be followed, before investors only look the next day on orders of durable goods. But it was the day Friday with the first estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) U.S. second quarter to be expected this week.This new burst of publications should be especially followed when investors are questioning again on the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.

U.S. companies are still likely to take stock in their accounts this week, including the program six companies forming part of Dow Jones. Tomorrow investors expect such figures CIT and Lockheed Martin and those sitting in the middle of DuPont.

To follow today the title of BP traded on Wall Street. The British press refers to a departure from the CEO of BP, before tomorrow, the date of publication of interim results of the oil giant.

Always on the side of values, General Electric said Friday its increased dividend of 20%, the quarterly dividend from 10 cents to 12 cents. GE also announced a resumption of its share repurchase programs.He had stopped this practice in September 2008. The board gave its approval for an additional $ 11.6 billion. "GE hopes to end the year with $ 25 billion in cash, including proceeds from the sale of a majority stake in its subsidiary NBC Universal to Comcast" say the analysts at Aurel BGC. Some of this money will be used to buy three billion dollars in preferred shares that the group has sold the holding company Berkshire Hathaway of Warren Buffett in October 2008.

Also note Friday night, the FDIC, the federal agency whose primary responsibility is to guarantee bank deposits, announced the bankruptcy of six new American banks, bringing to 102 the number of closing establishments since the beginning of year. These six failures will cost about 394 million dollars to its compensation fund the FDIC.

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G20 attention to the excessive rigor

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.

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Livret A: withdrawals exceed deposits

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.

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The Livret A rate will be raised in August

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The "pathéthique needle in a haystack" by Jean-Marie Messier

The email, signed by Jean-Marie Messier, was dated Sunday, June 30, 2002 at 10 am 23. It may look like a formal letter stating the last wishes of a CEO for a stay. The paper brings to light the scenes is a bit petty negotiations after leaving the group.

That Sunday, Jean-Marie Messier knows he was dropped by the main shareholders. The accounts of Vivendi Universal are in the red. A loss of 13.6 billion euros has been announced. While three days before a board of directors has rejected a narrow majority vote of no confidence against him, he is preparing to resign officially. His departure seems to be the only solution to reassure markets that have become hostile to personality and promises disappointed "J2M.

This Sunday morning, Jean-Marie Messier is therefore sending an email to one of his lawyers."Then I will summarize the points that I want to have all the details?", Begins the missive in a list. First point: "check the proper treatment" of several close aides including Xavier Couture, then CEO of Canal +. Third point: "ensure a legal cover" and an "unlimited coverage for legal fees. To pay them, said in a parenthesis Jean-Marie Messier, "it must be shielded." Other points: provide "social security coverage for my family," fees for the apartment in New York, to benefit from 20 hours per year of flights on aircraft or group chair the ceremony films were made by several Filmmakers on September 11."They are small and big important things," says the e-mail Sunday morning.

Reading this list by the presiding judge is not likely to put at ease Jean-Marie Messier. "It is both a needle in a haystack and it has a pathetic," he explains at the helm. I decided to leave VU but I was still looking for ways to hang myself by mentioning the date of such board or of the projection of films on September 11. Rereading it after eight years, is baroque! ".

The former CEO has said he resigned from the group by letter on the night of Sunday to Monday without worrying about the conditions of his departure quick pay day loan.He had refused a golden parachute clause inserted in his contract after the merger with Seagram, Vivendi, "yet it was the practice in American companies," says he. And he was not at the time of signing his resignation guarantees on his departure: "My decision was to leave and was independent of contract terms," he repeats at least four times in court.

Four days later, July 3, 2002, we find the time to file a handwritten letter addressed to the administrators group."J2M" indignant that he was asked to "make a decision that breaks his professional life," that is, to resign, that he was "promised straight in the eye to treat honorably" but ultimately it is a question not to grant him his starting conditions.

"This letter is not a boss but someone lost, lost, who knows what to do," justifies this time "J2M. The terms of his departure he has finally provided a driver, health coverage for five years and a sum of 18.6 million euros, a sum never touched, an arbitration in New York who stopped in the middle flight this "golden parachute". This short list is at the center of a prosecution for abuse of corporate assets

On this point, the court is no longer the place of the feelings by writing an email Sunday morning dark.At the bar in the courtroom sunny, Jean-Marie Messier adjusts his expressions when the time comes to discuss these golden parachutes to CEOs French inspired 2000s counterparts américiains. He uses a clear voice and clear expression. "I know the media sensitivity when you mention these matters, argues the former CEO. But I mean there was no prejudice. I acted in good faith. For the rest, I had no hand. I thank you for Vivendi Universal.

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1st May: decline in mobilization Province

Thousands of people began to protest Saturday in France on the occasion of May 1st this year placed under the sign of the defense of employment, purchasing power and especially pensions.

Trade unions, left parties and student organizations have called for the streets, in the words of the secretary general of the CGT Bernard Thibault, "create a balance of power in discussion" with the government. The pension reform is expected before the end of the year and a new appointment office at the Elysee Palace will be held prior May 10

According to the CGT, more than 280 parades are planned throughout France. The Paris demonstration must rush early in the afternoon instead of the Republic.

For its part, Workers Power revives the tradition by going it alone.The secretary general of the union, Jean-Claude Mailly, said Saturday morning on Europe-1 radio that "the repeated demonstrations will not shake the government" on the proposed pension reform.

"Putting pressure on politicians'

In Toulouse, about 5,000 people, police, 6,000 according to organizers, marched in the rain Saturday morning, behind a banner of the Inter-CGT, CFDT, FSU, UNSA and Solidarity proclaiming: "All public-private sector jobs, wages, pensions and retirement. A procession much shorter than last year, when there were between 15,000 and 30,000 participants according to sources.

The mobilization was also low in Lyon, under a rainy sky, where vendors thrush in haste mingled with the demonstrators Guaranteed online payday loans.

In Lille, where the procession is gone by late morning, between 2000-3000 people marched. "I come to defend pensions, it worries me a lot for young people, I am already retired but what will happen to young people?" Said Benoit Evrard, a retired banker of 62 years. "I am the parades since 1968. It is important to do this kind of demonstration. " This puts pressure on politicians.

About 3,000 people marched behind a banner in Strasbourg Inter CGT, CFDT, UNSA, FSU. There was little slogans – replaced by sonos – and banners in a parade where the theme of pensions was not particularly present.

In Nice, 2,300 people marched, according to police and organizers. On the hood of a car was installed a model wearing a mask representing President Nicolas Sarkozy, with counterfeit notes in the pockets flying in the wind."Hits enough that society that does that unemployment and precariousness, fattens the shareholders and spreads poverty, have launched the demonstrators.

In Nantes, the Inter counted 5,000 demonstrators in the city center, against 3700 for the police. "It's worse than last year, but it remains a good May 1, Marie-Claude analyzed Robin, departmental secretary of the CGT in Loire-Atlantique.

"The issue of pensions is not yet in every head. Yet now he must take action: the case will go to Cabinet before the summer. In July-August, it will be too late, "she warned.

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The European currency at its lowest since June 2009

The euro fell on Thursday to its lowest level since June 22, 2009. This morning, the euro was worth 1.3827 U.S. dollar before recovering to 1.3834 dollar. The single European currency also retreated against the yen at 125.70 yen.

This drop is explained in particular by the concern of traders due to budgetary problems of many countries in the euro area. Many expect a strong intervention of Europe and even appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help Greece to get out of a budget crisis without precedent.

Another concern is about the euro on the currency market, the case of Spain, which has poorly digested crisis including an unemployment rate of nearly 20%.Besides Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF head, spoke Thursday on RTL crisis "very strong in Spain and that the country had" an effort "to reduce public deficits one hour payday loan . The Spanish public debt has soared just over 60% of GDP in 2010 while in 2007 it accounted for only 36.2% of GDP.

Tuesday, Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize in Economics in 2008, believed that Spain was the main weakness in the euro area. To this the Spanish Minister of Economic Affairs, Elena Salgado, has responded Thursday by saying on the radio station La Cope: "The euro is a very strong and we continue to strengthen the currency.I see absolutely no risk for the euro area, "adding," there may be a lack of understanding about what the euro means for our economy. "

Another country in the euro area is also starting to worry, Portugal, again because of deteriorating public finances of the country. Besides the titles of Portuguese banks fell by 5 to 6% Thursday on the Lisbon Stock Exchange.

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United States: pinned Vivendi, Messier milled

He took his time. But the New York jury delivered its verdict on Friday evening the group of telecommunications and media company Vivendi sued by shareholders ruined by its near-collapse in 2002, was convicted of misleading communication. Its CEO at the time, Jean-Marie Messier, has instead been milled.

As expected, Vivendi's lawyer Paul Saunders immediately announced he would appeal, and that he intended to "win". "We are satisfied that the damage is half of what the plaintiffs claimed this side there is a partial victory," said the lawyer. The plaintiff had estimated that damages could rise to 11.5 billion dollars.

Messier absent when the verdict

Jean-Marie Messier and Guillaume Hannezo, its chief financial officer, were absent when the verdict.They have yet to appear in magistrate in Paris in the spring, with five other executives of Vivendi, including responding to charges of disseminating false or misleading information, price manipulation and abuse of social goods, which they could worth up to 5 years imprisonment and heavy fines for bad credit payday advance .

After three months of trial, the nine board members of the Federal Court had to decide on 57 points very technical. After answering a series of questions establishing the guilt of the accused or not, they have, for each trading day occurring between October 2000 and August 2002, "determine the amount of inflation being caused by the fraud alleged" .

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Soon a tax on gold and jewelry?

Gold, placing anti-crisis par excellence, in senators' crosshairs. Tenants of the Palais du Luxembourg in fact want to submit the sales of precious metals – gold, but silver jewelry and works of art to the general social contribution (CSG), revealed Thursday "Le Parisien". Supported by the Social Affairs Committee, but considered "difficult to implement technically" by the government, this new tax, which should be passed in the day aims to bridge the deficit in Social Security. In detail, if the measure is adopted as from 1 January next year, each transaction will be taxed to the tune of 8.2%. For example, the sale of a jewel worth 200 euros, Social Security will receive 16 euros CSG. With this new tax, the senators hope to get a "few million" each year.

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