Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Germany could still suffer. After the controversial purchase of a CD from Switzerland containing lists of suspected tax evaders in Germany launches massive search operation in the German subsidiary of Swiss bank Credit Suisse. Objective: to update the 1100 alleged customers of the bank suspected of evading taxes, and employees of the bank suspected to have helped.
The raids took place simultaneously in 13 cities and were conducted by 150 officers. Credit Suisse, which remained silent on the subject, has finally reacted by saying "cooperate with the authorities." "This is an ongoing investigation, so we can give more information," says the facility.
Unsurprisingly
Since March 19 this year, the Dusseldorf prosecutor's office suggested that he was investigating cons these clients in the fight against tax evasion carried out by the government. The purchase of the CD has already led almost 12.000à denounce himself, according to last count, in late March.
Credit Suisse is not the only Swiss bank in the sights of German authorities. UBS industry leader, is also subject of an investigation, not prosecution, but the authority of financial sector supervision Authority (BaFin).
Negotiations stalled
These searches involved in full discussions between Bern and Berlin on improving the exchange of information between the two countries my credit score. Both governments wish to reach an agreement that also aims to avoid double taxation.
In late March, the finance ministers of the two states signed a convention in this sense, but it is still not signed. Both governments face difficult issues such as control of German assets placed in Switzerland. A working group has also been mandated to expand the proposals and make findings in the fall.
Meanwhile, the convention is not in force, allowing Germany to put pressure on Swiss institutions. The spokesman for the German Finance Ministry wants yet reassuring: "We assume that the negotiations with Switzerland will continue to be constructive and to unfold in an atmosphere of mutual trust." He says they will, if successful, to "render obsolete" files using File Swiss bank clients stolen and resold.
The German technique is the same as that adopted in respect of Liechtenstein. In 2008, the Secret Service had bought a CD of stolen banking data, to 4.2 million euros. Having conducted several surveys, they managed to uncover many fraudsters, including the former boss of Deutsche Post, Klaus Zumwinkel. Under pressure, Liechtenstein was finally ratified an agreement on exchange of information on German assets located within the principality.
Some
cheap term life insurance policies may look cheap, but what matters the most is that you must get it.Getting a cheap term policy is not an easy task.
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
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
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
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
While Tuesday night, the CAC 40 has once again ended the session down market, the main index of the Paris attempts a rebound after three days of declines.
At the opening, the Paris Bourse is 0.93% at 3411 points, passing the symbolic start of the 3400 points.
In Asia, however, counters Nikkei enrolled in dark red. The Japanese index finished at its lowest in six months. And if the Dow Jones finished up comfortable last night, the Nasdaq index of technology stocks, has been on a decline, showing the confidence of investors vis-à-vis companies that export to Europe.
Another reason to shun the market, the Fitch rating, released Tuesday afternoon, which estimates that the UK is facing fiscal challenges "formidable".
On the foreign exchange market, the euro remains fragile, and still very much under rated $ 1.2 to U.S. $ 1.1934 around 7:30 exatement.In addition, gold has reached a new record Tuesday, beyond $ 1250.
The CAC 40, which ended Tuesday under 3400 points, should continue to decline on Wednesday.According to technical analysis, the benchmark index of the Paris market, which fell under 3381 points, could soon fall below 3,349 points in intraday (that is to say during the meeting), then the line of sight is then fixed at 3290 points.
Growth of European countries to follow
Several European countries will face the second estimate of GDP in the first quarter of 2010, as Belgium, Portugal, Greece and Hungary, etc..
On Wednesday, OPEC, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) will release its monthly report just after 12:30.
U.S. Overseas, will be published at 16.30 weekly stocks of crude oil, as Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, will now testify before the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives on the economic and financial the federal budget.
EADS: Airbus signs "Order of the Century
Airbus, EADS subsidiary cash "Order of the century. Emirates Airlines will pay 11.5 billion dollars to supplement its fleet of A380s. Titles s'adjugent 2.4% to 16.62 euros.
Remy Cointreau: biggest drop of the SBF 120 The spirits group has published results from 2009 to 2010 a little worse than expected, with organic growth of EBIT by 7.2%, slightly below expectations consensus. The net result is in line with expectations, and the group confirms its growth prospects. In exchange, the current loose 2.6% 41.85 euros.
Ingenico, one of the largest increases The French manufacturer of payment terminals, the world, is a sales "more than one billion euros" in 2013, against 700 million in 2009.The shares climbed 4.3% to 17.2 euros.
Vivendi: -0.78% to 16.44 euros The stock market authorities of the country believe that the group had misinformed the market to buy GVT. The fine could reach 1.3 billion euros, according to the Brazilian press.
France Telecom: 1.1% to 15.3 euros a surprise move in the soap opera twists in the takeover of the newspaper Le Monde. After the trio led by Matthew Pigasse, Pierre Berge, Xavier Niel is Orange on the scene.Stéphane Richard, CEO of France Telecom, has expressed interest in an industrial partnership with Le Monde in an interview with Reuters.
The group will hold its general meeting this Wednesday.
Total: 1.25% to 38.1 euros United Arab Emirates are expected to sign Wednesday with the French Total and the Spanish Abengoa an agreement to build a solar power plant of 100 megawatts (MW) for $ 600 million ( 500 million euros), the Financial Times.
GDF Suez: 0.33% to 24.5 euros GDF Suez will spend 300 million euros to take control of its joint venture with Societe Generale, Gaselys to become a European leader in the trading of gas and Energy, said Wednesday the newspaper Les Echos
Dassault Systemes: +1.6% to 48.3 euros The group announced the acquisition for about 130 million euros of Exalead, a French company specialized in solutions research and access to corporate information and Internet.
ArcelorMittal has initiated the Natixis group couverturedu diversified steelmaker with an opinion "buy" and a target price of 34 euros, or appreciation potential of more than 50%.
Rodriguez Group, the CEO still in custody
The action was suspended on Tuesday at the request of the designer of yachts and pending a statement.Its president is in custody in police stations Marseille, after a crackdown against organized crime.
Property Regions: -0.31% to 71.2 euros The group off his special dividend (3.30 euros + six shares of Beni Stabili) after the closing, prior to the listing of its Italian subsidiary to the Paris Bourse, which starts Friday.
Wendel: +1.1% to 41 euros Wendel Participations, which groups the interests of family shareholders Wendel, holds its General Assembly (GA) on Wednesday. Questions remain about the governance and financial benefits granted to executives, said Sophie Boegner, a member of the family, on the eve of the GA.
OL Groupe: 1.23% to 8.2 eurosLe band announced the arrival of Philippe Sauze, currently vice president Europe, the U.S. company Electronic Arts, the world leader in the videogame industry, as Director General from 1st of July.
Electricity The electricity bill threatens to fly. ERDF, a subsidiary of EDF in charge of distribution, said that the cost initially calculated, ie 120 euros per household, is still relevant. An envelope 4-5000000000 euros to finance the whole operation. However, according to the Federation of local communities, this amount could be twice as high.
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.
Investment bank Morgan Stanley could lose nearly two-thirds of the 8.8 billion invested in global real estate fund, the Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds (MSREF) VI International reports the Wall Street Journal. This loss represents about 5.4 billion dollars. If the information is confirmed, it would be the biggest loss ever by an investment fund specializing in real estate, the business daily said.
The losses would come from investments in such properties as the seat of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, an important project in Tokyo and Intercontinental hotels across Europe.
In the past 20 years, the real estate business at Morgan Stanley was one of the largest purchasers of goods in the world with $ 174 billion invested since 1991.This loss is even more of a challenge for Morgan Stanley, the bank tries to revive the industry. She has attempted to create a new fund to 10 billion dollars, the MSREF VII Global, but it could reap more than half.
LE FIGARO. – ArcelorMittal escapes shortly after the first loss in its history. Are you satisfied with this performance?
Lakshmi Mittal. – No, although, given the circumstances, we are very far out. We achieved all our objectives of lowering costs, reducing debt, adjusting our production, and have negotiated with the various unions in the world … while 2009 was one of the most difficult years for thirty years the capitalist world. The crisis is not over. The recovery will be slow and gradual. But we managed to overcome the crisis successfully.
Using your production capacity from 50% in late 2008, to 70%. Do you anticipate this year?
Our production planning is based on the request of our customers. In 2009, only 10 of its 25 blast furnaces were in production. Now, twenty are active.There remain four or five who are temporarily stopped and restarted when demand recovers. At the end of 2010, our plants should operate at 85% of their capacity. The automotive market is expected to improve slightly over fourth quarter 2009 in Europe and strong growth in emerging countries. We organize days of innovation with our major customers. We present our new products, our development programs. They are still waiting for better products, steel both stronger and lighter, and more services.
How do you make 5 billion cost-cutting announced in 2012?
This total includes 5 billion of the savings already achieved (2.7 billion Editor's note). We have implemented many measures to improve our productivity.ArcelorMittal is a great company so we can make a "benchmark" in the group! We have implemented a continuous improvement plan which aims to save $ 30 (or 20 euros) per tonne of steel produced. There were hundreds of initiatives in this area. In 2009, we managed to save 13 euros per tonne. We still have to win 7 euros. At group level, it will represent an additional saving of 1.4 billion euros. And we can still reduce our administrative costs and expenses. This will include a specialization of production sites that could be devoted to one type of product payday advance . That does not mean that we will close …
… Or that you will continue to reduce your workforce?
The group has 35 000 employees less in 2009 than in 2008.We have plans in place starting in early retirement, voluntary severance schemes … We have nothing planned as of this year. We have just completed what was started. There is no excess production capacity in Europe. In China, yes.
You also talked about the resumption of investment.
Yes. We will resume mining projects and investment in developing countries, including Brazil. We do not expect to make further acquisitions in the steel. The cost would be higher than the expansion of existing capacity. We focus on the latter solution.
The introduction of carbon tax is a threat to your business in France?
We will be less competitive in Europe. We are in discussion with the French Government, to explain the impact of this tax on our costs.I met President Nicolas Sarkozy a few weeks ago. He says he wants a strong industry in France. We'll have to find solutions. European policy in terms of CO2 is already a burden for the European steel industry, compared to our competitors in China or India. This clearly represents an additional cost, difficult to quantify but very real. Finally, the carbon tax would be inconsistent with a strong industry. But both will have to coexist.
Chinese production of steel which starts again on the rise is a threat to your industry?
Last year, net exports of Chinese steel amounted to 10 million tonnes. This year, they should not exceed 25 million tonnes. First, because the Chinese domestic demand has picked up.Then, because Chinese steel production depends on imports of raw materials, making it less competitive for export. Finally, China mainly exported to South-Eastern Asia. Nevertheless, we are always attentive. If China's exports, it can make European prices down, it already happened before 2008. There is always a risk.
ALSO READ
ArcelorMittal makes just one recipient outcome
The case of the possible relocation of the future of Renault Clio in Turkey is still rising a notch. Nicolas Sarkozy has expressed Wednesday his irritation with his vows to parliamentarians at the Elysee, "We do not put so much money to support our manufacturers to ensure that all plants go outside." And this message the head of state has to pass directly to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault, he will receive Saturday at the Elysee.
Wednesday Christian Estrosi, Minister of Industry, has shown the same firmness after a meeting with Patrick Pelata Bercy, the CEO of Renault. The Minister has shelled the long list of grants awarded since the beginning of 2009. Three billion loan was granted to Renault (all PSA).Flins received aid from 100 million euros for the production of Zoe, electric cars Renault (launch scheduled in 2012) and 150 million euros from the ISP for its project to produce batteries. In addition, there are 600 million euros bonus for breaking, which allowed the sale of 600 000 additional cars and the abolition of the tax.
"The government has enough evidence to say an industrial strategy," says the minister said that the state holds a 15% shareholding in Renault and two posts. It is also possible that the state seeks more seats on the board.But the number of directors is proportional to the percentage of equity held by an Act of October 30, 1935.
Wednesday, Patrick Pelata played the card of appeasement, saying that "no decision has yet been taken regarding the future production of Clio in 2013. Several scenarios are possible. The production will be maintained at Clio Flins, "as Zoe does not saturate the capacity of the site, which would be a fantastic scenario," said the skipper of the brand. However he also said that "production in France is good for vehicles with high added value. It is difficult in the low range. A shade as the government seems unwilling to consider.
A Clio for France
He asked three requirements to Renault, which has only a few days to find answers.Firstly, the group must incorporate as possible suppliers and subcontractors French to its industrial. More components must be manufactured in France.
Then, Christian Estrosi does not decrease production or declining enrollment in Flins, which currently produces 150 000 Clio. Finally, the Government intends to maintain the territory the production of Clio, regardless of the success of Zoe. Renault will have to determine what other sites the French Clio IV could be fabricated. No way to transfer the production in Bursa in Turkey, which are currently produced 180 000 Clio.Christian Estrosi does not want the share Flins parte in Bursa, but remains in France.
ALSO READ:
"The difficult reorganization Renault
"Estrosi want a Clio French IV
"Renault: the state has six seats on the Board of Directors
"The State against the relocation of the Clio in Turkey
Comments Off