Assists: the struggle continues between Airbus and Boeing

A month after the European Union, the United States have announced they are appealing the ruling last June by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the dispute between Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS, Boeing on public subsidies to the European manufacturer. Although the United States and the U.S. aircraft manufacturer had considered the conviction of the European Union by the WTO as a "great victory lawful," they were only half satisfied. "The Judgement of June was a very important victory for employees in the aeronautics and helped make it more fair competition for them.However, the Dispute Settlement Body has made two errors, and the United States rely on these findings, "said the spokesman for the USTR, Nefeterius McPherson.

Overseas, we accepted fact that the aid granted to Airbus for forty years "was not part of an ongoing program to assist" state services of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

The United States does not intend to stop there, nor the European Commission, which requested from July 21 "corrections or clarifications" on seven points. Brussels rejects such reimbursable advances for Germany, Spain and Great Britain are "export subsidies", as held by the WTO in June.The WTO had made a decision on June 30 that gave largely due to a complaint filed by the United States in 2004.

The trial's verdict on the aid given to Airbus will not be made until three months, the WTO has decided to extend the treatment of Appeal of the European aircraft manufacturer. Moreover, the WTO must also rule on a complaint of Airbus against Boeing for the same reasons for subsidies. The final decision could be made in September.

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Axa has managed to raise its margins

A net profit down 28% in the first half of 2010. As expected, the insurer Axa unveils impacted net income by the sale of part of its activities to the United Kingdom, according to a statement released Wednesday. But at 944 million euros, it appears well above expectations of analysts who had forecast of 623 million euros.

At the announcement in late June, the assignment to the British insurer Resolution a part of its business life, savings and retirement in the United Kingdom, CEO Henri de Castries had indicated that the operation would force the group to see a loss of about 1.4 billion euros. She finally reached 1.478 billion.

Besides this exception, the operating income was down slightly more, from 3% to 2.082 billion euros, as markets anticipate that 1.884 billion.A decline mainly due to the declining contribution of the activity damage (-9%) and asset management (-15%), partly offset by a 6% increase in operating income for life, savings and retirement.

The total turnover of AXA was up by 1.4% to 49.9 billion euros in the first six months of the year.

In exchange, the title Axa lost 10.9% since the beginning of the year, while the European index DJStoxx insurance is up 3.16%.

Marge and emerging areas in the crosshairs

Henri de Castries, CEO of the group, commenting on these results this morning on the group's website, said that the figures "show the strength of (our) model and the ability to do what we said we would do to give pride of our margins and long term. "AXA is pleased to have increased its margin on new business, to 19.1%, against 16% a year ago.

The emerging areas, particularly targeted by the group as part of its strategy for growth, have reached a good performance. In southeast Asia and China, the new business activity has almost doubled from one year to another. In Hong Kong and Australia, business is good too (+19% and +18%). Other key points of the group, Central Europe and East, including Turkey.France, the United States and Japan, they, are still difficult times, with decreases in activity by 12%, 12% and 13%.

AXA Asia Pacific: the benefit flexes

AXA Asia Pacific, the target of a takeover bid of 11.5 billion U.S. dollars from National Australia Bank, reported Wednesday a 19% drop in its first-half profit attributable to the fragile financial markets.

AXA Asia Pacific has announced a profit of 219.2 million Australian dollars for the first six months of the year, a figure in line with market expectations.

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China, the world's second largest economy

The crisis has played a role in accelerating power for China. Faced with the slowdown in traditional engines of the planet are the U.S. and Japan, the People's Republic sees himself propelled to the rank of second largest economy, instead of his neighbor nippon, but still far behind the United States. "China is already the second biggest economy, has said over the weekend Yi Gang, director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), in charge of foreign exchange controls.

In an interview with the magazine China Reform and accepted by the site of the Safe, Responsible merely formalizes what everybody expected this year. The calculation is done quickly. In late 2009, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Japan 5070 billion was already closely followed by that of China, to 4980 billion.With an expected growth of 9.5% throughout the year and 11.1% in first half against less than 3% for its neighbor, the Middle Kingdom has probably exceeded that of the Rising Sun between April and June And this, ironically, even as the country tries to avoid overheating. Manufacturing production slowed further in July for the second straight month, thanks to measures limiting credit growth and real estate speculation.

The Chinese authorities do not brag with their new status as world's second largest economy, since many challenges remain before inevitably take the top spot in a couple of years, according to the World Bank. "The problem of China's economy is the quality of its growth.Why we must proceed with structural adjustment and transform our business model, "said Yi Gang, referring to the refrain that government consumption has to take over investment and exports as an engine of growth.

The gap will shrink

This ongoing concerns prompt the government to closely monitor all aspects of the economy, starting with the very sensitive political exchange. Referring to the convertibility of the yuan, Yi Gang made it clear that no timetable had been arrested. China becomes the heir of the world economy without having an international currency.

But Beijing is still more to paradoxes, mixing the issues of developing countries with those of a rich country. Imbalances continue to widen between rural and urban, rich and poor.Before he finished his economic metamorphosis, the Middle Kingdom is already old. Today, six active contributors per pensioner, they will be more than two in 2040.

In fifteen years, GDP per capita – U.S. $ 3,600 in 2009 – will probably still not caught up with its rivals, with $ 42,000 for the United States and 37,800 in Japan. But the gap is very narrow. Yi Gang expects Chinese growth between 7% and 8% in the decade ahead.

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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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War price on the market for e-books

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The successful launch of the iPad has sparked a fierce price war among manufacturers of digital tablets. For fifteen days, one after the other, manufacturers revise their prices downwards to counter the shock wave of the iPad. Most recently, Sony announced on Wednesday reduced prices of its readers to 20-50 dollars depending on the model. Its entry-level player, the Pocket Edition is now available at $ 149 U.S. instead of $ 169. Last week, the online bookstore Amazon was the first to respond, bringing the price of its Kindle reader digital format (DX) to 379 dollars, down from $ 110 …! At the same time, Amazon increased the comfort of reading his DX improving its display."With improved contrast of 50% and a darker font, it will be easier than ever to read anywhere, outside in the sun or the low light of the show, welcomed Steve Kessel, an official of Amazon. A few days earlier, the retailer had already created a stir by lowering the $ 60 price of its best-selling player, the average size at $ 189 … The same day, his rival, the American bookseller Barnes & Noble brought the price reader's Nook of 259-199 dollars, and announced a more affordable version yet, to 149 dollars, but connectable only by wireless Internet (Wi-Fi).

Run size

These manufacturers have little choice. Faced with the shock of the trade-iPad more than 3 million copies sold-June 22, they must adjust their rates to stay in the race.Unable to keep the same price range as the iPad (500 euros) which, aside from reading, surfing the Internet, listening to music, watch movies or videos, etc.. From a color touch screen . Faced with the branding of Apple Premium, the price argument remains the only real leverage at their disposal, apart from adding some features (touchscreen, color, play MP3 music files, etc..) . "In the race for size, market share, the price factor is one that can make the difference as shown by the positioning of Dell with its multimedia tablet Streak marketed in late July and announced at least 100 euros" Sylvain Duranton remark, associate director at Boston Consulting Group.

Price also depends on the conversion market niche in the mass market."As long as prices do not fall sufficiently, widespread adoption of such devices will be difficult," says the expert. A psychological threshold must be reached. "Based on our studies, if 66% of French people are ready to go nuclear, they will not do at any price: not more than 150-200 euros for a multi-shelf as iPad and more than 100 euros for a single-function tablet, reserved for reading, as the Kindle. "

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Economists fear a new recession

"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.

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When 40 becomes ACC ACC 41

The CAC 40 index which comprises the forty largest capitalization of the Paris market, will be 41 values within one day, Friday, July 2, with the division of the Accor group, said in a statement Friday the exchange operator NYSE Euronext.

Accor, which is part of the CAC 40 will separate into two entities, one containing the name Accor hotels and gathering activities, and the other called Edenred, representing the prepaid services industry (Ticket Restaurant, gift cards bad Credit payday advance ..).

On July 2, two new groups will therefore part of the CAC 40 Edenred do so before the index feature of Parisian place before the opening of the meeting of Monday, July 5, said NYSE Euronext.

The general meeting to approve the demerger will take place June 29, days before the listing of the two entities.

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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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European shares dive in the red

New waves of turbulence on Thursday on European equity markets. At 2:35 p.m., the CAC 40 yielded 3.10% at 3403.06 points, in a transaction volume of more than 3 billion euros. The London Stock Exchange lost 2.04% at the same time, while the German Dax loose 2.41%. Already very tight, investors have been demoralized by a poor U.S. statistics: registrations are weekly unemployment rose against all odds, for the first time since early April in the U.S. during the week of May 15, at 471 000 446 000 cons the previous week, according to the Labor Department.

The euro goes down quickly and found $ 1.23, after having taken the day 1.5% up to 1.2414 dollar. The rebound came after the sharp decline of the single currency in the night from Tuesday to Thursday, which has pushed the euro to a new four year more, to 1.2144 dollar.

In Paris banking stocks pull the index up. Credit Agricole rises from 1.17% to 9.49 euros and signed the largest increase in the index. Societe Generale gained 1.62%, 36.40 euros and BNP Paribas, 2.1% to 47.23 euros.

According to Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, the euro is not "in danger". His German counterpart, said this morning in the Financial Times that he considers the markets "really out of control" and advocates more regulation.

Several statistical significance Thursday

In Germany, producer prices rose 0.8% in April, official data showed on Thursday.In one year, they recorded a rise of 0.6%.

In the U.S., the composite indicator of economic activity for the month of April and industrial activity in the Philadelphia area in May are still awaited by the operators No teletrack payday loans.

Air France: record loss

On the CAC 40, a single value in the red: Arcelor Mittal, which lost 1.21%, to 24.49 euros.On the SBF 120, it appears as Soitec the red lantern (-6.64% to 8.84 euros): the producer of silicon on insulator for the semiconductor industry has confirmed its forecast return to operating breakeven this year, Concentrix off after a current operating loss reduced during the second half of 2009-2010.

In addition, Air France-KLM (+0.06% 9.61 euros) confirmed anticipate a return to operational balance in 2010-2011 after posting record losses after an exercise she calls it himself as "annus horribilis." Franco Dutch airline, which renounces propose an annual dividend, also undergoes an early exercise sealed by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjöll.

Credit Agricole (1.17% to 9.49 euros) was no surprise on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Jean-Marie Sander as his successor Rene Carron as president of the bank, marking the arrival of a new tandem leaders the head of the listed vehicle of mutual group.

Sanofi-Aventis (0.90% to 30 euros): Brazil has given the green light to redeem Medley by the pharmaceutical company for 500 million euros.

The Board of Directors and the two main shareholders of Sperian have agreed to repurchase the company specialized in personal protective equipment by the industry group American Honeywell for $ 1.4 billion. The shares are still suspended from trading.

Are expected date general meetings of CIC, Carbone Lorraine, Thales, Rexel, Eramet and Suez Environment.

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Gemalto sign a contract promising to United States

For the first time, the United States, Americans will have a smart card (smart card to the French) and "accepted in the world. It Gemalto.

A contract which seems small in relation to the size of the division payment at Gemalto.But "this announcement is very important symbolically," noted analysts at Natixis, surprised that the stock price does not react.

For the group at 1.65 billion euros in turnover in 2009 made his first steps on American soil that could well decide to finally initiate the transition from magnetic stripe cards – which are the subject of a high fraud rates – to smart cards adopting EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa) to pay around the world and securely.

For the strategists of Natixis, the bank card market with a microprocessor in the United States has "a potential 1.5 billion cards.

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