• Why raising the ceiling of the U.S. debt is it so urgent?

The race against Barack Obama committed by a deadline, a week today. Established by Congress to 14.294 billion dollars, the upper limit of U.S. debt has been reached in mid-May and, according to its own calculations, the Treasury will no longer meet its obligations vis-à-vis its creditors on Aug. 2. It will no longer pay its bills or not the officials. And two days later, on August 4, it must be replaced for 87 billion of bonds maturing.

• What would happen in the absence of agreement?

The United States currently receive the highest rating (triple A) to the three major rating agencies, allowing them to borrow at market interest rates particularly advantageous. They would automatically degraded.Standard & Poor's and Moody's warned them in July: the risk of default will result in a sanction. The interest charged by investors to lend to the United States would go up instantly. The Democrats do not hesitate to the argument.

China, the first holder of U.S. Treasuries with 1.16 trillion dollars in May, also has a strong appeal for Washington to protect its interests. "We hope the U.S. government will take concrete measures to build confidence in international financial markets," said Chinese foreign exchange administration.

Deterioration of the debt of the United States when Europe is in turmoil, subject to the constant pressure of these rating agencies, would inevitably have consequences on chain U.S. and international financial institutions, which must be able to pledge AAA-rated assets to get themselves ready. The credibility of the country abroad would be tainted, as well as the presidency of Barack Obama. All this would jeopardize U.S. economic activity – and, by implication, the world. Already, the earthquake in Japan penalizes industry, unemployment remains high and the Conference Board provides a "slow growth". A default could dramatically worsen things.

• What is blocking the negotiations?

The U.S. textile specialist VF Corporation will put her hand on her compatriot Timberland. That's what we announced on Monday the two groups in a communiqué.VF Corp., which owns brands such as backpacks by The North Face and Eastpak, those pants Wrangler and Lee, or that of Vans shoes, putting on the table $ 43 in cash per share Timberland, a premium of 43.4% from $ 29.99 registered at the close of Friday night. In total, the offer values ​​Timberland approximately $ 2 billion. The operation, which has already been approved by both boards, is expected to close during the third quarter, according to the objectives of VF Corporation.

Timberland, which carries 50% of its international business, this year should reach $ 1.6 billion in sales.Moreover, the management of VF Corporation aims for his target annual sales growth of 10%, and believes that the transaction will be highly beneficial in its own earnings per share in 2011, but also in 2012.

An operation "transforming"

In total, the new entity is expected to exceed $ 10 billion in annual sales. On the one hand, VF account of course benefit from the presence of its target international markets, including Japan, but mainly to diversify its brand portfolio, while bringing to 50% share of its turnover in the outdoor business

Jumped 87% in one year. Pension fraud detected by the general pension scheme (CNAV) amounted to 47.5 million euros last year, against 25.4 million in 2009. Please note, this money does "only" 10 million "injury found" or fraud (the career resources, marital status …) resulting in the overpayments. However, this figure tripled in one year. Forty per cent of detected cases involved failure to report, 40% of false statements and 20% of false documents. CNAV refuses to say how she recovered from this amount.

The rest, ie the vast majority of money involved, is to "damages avoided", that is to say, money that would have been paid over the years (throughout retirement fraudsters) if the cheating had not been discovered.28 million euros' benefits in payment "and 9 million on" benefits not yet paid. " "That does not mean that there has been an explosion of fraud in a year, but simply that we detect most," said Peter Mayer, director of CNAV.

539 centenarians Algerian

The fund has, for three years, put the means to fight against fraud, decreed a "national priority" by the state. The dedicated staff represent 75 full-time, thirty cons in 2008. The budget has almost doubled to 4.9 million. Cost "more than offset by the 47.5 million earned on fraud." Peter Mayer took the opportunity to deny the existence of a multitude of centenarians 'fictitious' retired in Algeria. Contrary to the rumors that the Internet, they are only 539 centenarians CNAV a pension in that country.But the director confirms that the control is more difficult to perform outside of France, 1.2 million people living abroad receive a pension CNAV.

To verify that they are alive, the regime sent them several times a year a "certificate of existence" to return the signed and stamped by a local authority. To carry out spot checks, CNAV wishes enter into agreements with insurers approved by the local consulates. A test should be launched in September in Tunisia, where 31,000 retirees receiving pension CNAV.

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The Paris Bourse, which ended the session last night in the red, opened sharply higher on Friday before slowing its progression. Following the announcement by Fitch with a view to lowering the rating of Japan from stable to negative, the CAC 40 progressed still further by 0.81% to 3949.04 points in mid-session. A development that contrasts with the reluctance that dominates world markets. This morning, in fact, Asian stock markets have shown sluggish, and last night in New York, the trend was too timid on the bottom of the front indicators disappointing growth and employment United States. The sharp rise recorded in Paris due to the surge in bank stocks, automobiles and oil.

The news is mainly directed towards the G8.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that he would continue to make its aid Greece that if he got "assurances" that the country is able to repay the money. "When we lend money, it is not I who do this are all over the world that lend to Greece," said Director of External Relations of the Fund, Caroline Atkinson. Moreover, during the G8, the IMF has proposed aid up to 35 billion euros to support the Arab countries. On the other hand, the international community must "lend its support to Côte d'Ivoire for its development," called the Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara, who estimates it takes between 15 and 20 billion euros for his country.

The euro to over $ 1.42

Side economic statistics, nothing is planned in France.In Europe, however, the economic sentiment deteriorated more than expected in May in the euro area, optimism ceding ground in all sectors, according to data released Friday by the European Commission.

Note that a meeting of European telecom ministers held in Brussels today. United States, expenditures and household incomes (April), consumer confidence from the University of Michigan (May) and promises of housing sales (May) are expected.

On the currency front, the euro fell back against the dollar and is trading at mid-day to more than $ 1.42, reaching 1.4216 dollars around 12:25 pm precisely. The dollar weakened with poor indicators published yesterday.However, he recorded a new record low against the Swiss franc, the concerns on debt in Europe getting the upper hand despite speculation about increased Chinese investments in European debt. The President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet said a further rise in rates of the euro area will not be immediate, says the Wall Street Journal.

The oil rating over 100 dollars in New York.

The rating of Dexia was suspended

Ingenico is leading the SBF120 in mid-session, up 5.72% to 32.35 euros, in view of the benefits of contactless payment system launched by Google and ensure the French group which participates.

Derichebourg once more took 2.82% mid-term. The CAC, it is the banks where smiling.Credit Agricole, BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Natixis and Axa rise by 4%, 1.84%, 1.92%, 1.33% and 0.76%.

Some European banks, including French Societe Generale and BNP Paribas could avoid in part the prudential standards called Basel III, according to a draft text quoted by the Financial Times. In addition, Citi has gone to "overweight" on BNP Paribas, one of his favorite European banks.

Note that the listing of Dexia was suspended on the Paris Bourse, at the request of the Belgian regulator.Trading will resume when the "appropriate information" will be published.

Accor stands: + 1.03% to 31.26 euros, while the values ​​of the car, Michelin, Peugeot and Renault are also oriented, with respective increases of 0.85%, 1.11% and 0.56%.

However, the latter manufacturer, sales show a 35% drop since early May and the French car manufacturer is concerned that this situation might continue a few more months, the BFM radio reported Friday. This drop in sales has forced some dealers to concede significant price reductions with "discounts" of up to 45% on certain models of Clio, the station added. Furthermore, Renault early 2012 a small entry level car developed in India on a platform of low-cost Nissan, La Tribune reported Friday.

Areva.The subsidiary of Areva's mining pole should be subject to the approval of the supervisory board of the company July 21, said Thursday the European Group Committee (CEM) of nuclear specialist public.

EADS (-0.42% to 22.41 euros) confirmed the date of first delivery of Airbus A350, but one of the airlines, estimates that two or three variations of this device could be delayed by six months, reports The Figaro on Friday. According to Flight International, Qatar Airways may order A380s at Paris Air Show.

Dassault Aviation (1.01% to 702.12 euros). The entire business jet Falcon 7X group were grounded after an incident in flight on one of these devices, announced the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Veolia (0.58% to 20.66 euros).The share of international activities of the group should increase in coming years, thanks to expected growth in Asia and North America, said Thursday the Director of International Affairs Group of utilities.

This Friday, Ipsen and Alcatel-Lucent will hold their general meeting.

The natural disaster that shook Japan on March 11 and caused a serious nuclear accident in history, affecting badly the Japanese utility Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO). The company reported a net loss record 11 billion euros (1.25 trillion yen) on Friday morning, well above the 9 billion expected by the Japanese press. It is the worst deficit recorded by a Japanese non-financial group. The earthquake and the tsunami have paralyzed much of its central activity based in Fukushima, a city northeast of the country now known worldwide. For more than two months in fact, at least four of six reactors on the site are stopped. Before the event, Tepco expected a net profit of 1 billion euros.

Another important announcement this morning by Tepco: Masataka Shimizu's resignation.It must be said that his handling of the crisis has been sharply criticized in Japan and the rest of the world. Particularly for its lack of transparency in the first moments following the disaster. He will be succeeded by Toshio Nishizawa, the current CEO of the group.

State utilities and banks to contribute

The future already looks difficult for TEPCO. The operator had to call for help from the Japanese government. In a request sent on 10 May at the Japanese government, the third largest producer of electricity in the Archipelago evokes an immediate need 8.7 billion euros. Very quickly, the Japanese government has responded, putting Tepco under its control and disclose its financial rescue plan."The purpose of this plan is not to bail Tepco, said Friday the Japanese Minister of Economy, but to ensure that victims are compensated properly," he commented.

TEPCO has indeed compensate the 85,000 victims of the nuclear accident. A bill that could total between 25 and 43 billion euros, according to local press. Thus the state ensures that dip into its funds and requires the efforts of other private electricity companies in the country. Even banks will tighten their belts: they have provided a loan of 1.4 trillion yen (11.7 billion euros) to Tepco are asked to waive a portion of their claims vis-à-vis the operator .

For its part, TEPCO must, of course, participate in a pinch.The group will include transfer of financial assets and properties in order to concentrate its resources on the production and distribution of electricity. In addition, the eight most senior executives of the company will also waive any compensation and personnel managers to ordinary workers, will also undergo substantial pay cuts.

In exchange, Tepco falls again

This Friday morning in Tokyo, the title has finished Tepco small increase of 0.54% before the results are published in the group. Since, in trade-off meeting at the New York Stock Exchange, the action Tepco listed on Wall Street tumbles 9.6% and is only worth 4.45 dollars. So since March 11, the title collapsed by 83%. Investors, cooled the past two months, do not see Tepco bounce soon.While its nuclear activity has melted, the group had to increase production at its thermal power plants to continue to supply the population. However, this has a cost of hydrocarbons, which could cost another 8.7 billion uros on the current tax year.

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Wolfgang Schäuble confirmed and signed. At the risk of alienating France and the ECB, the German Finance Minister said yesterday that "the time has come" to pay to banks and private investors holding the bag in the crisis of sovereign debt. "It's a question of moral responsibility, said the German official. Ultimately, investors – and that includes of course the European bond holders – must support both the risks and the benefits of their investment. In recent crises, it is almost exclusively the taxpayers who have borne the loss. This is unacceptable! "

The offensive seeks to convince partners of Germany, when the bloc about to lock a permanent mechanism for rescue of troubled countries. Joined the menu of the June EU summit, the European Stability Mechanism (SPM) should enter into operation in 2013.But in the midst of controversy over a possible debt forgiveness in favor of Athens, Wolfgang Schäuble furbishes also the weapons of those who argue that the creditor banks should immediately take their share of the burden.

Market Discipline

The replica of the European Central Bank did not take long. The chief economist Juergen Stark has denounced as a "catastrophe" scenario of a debt restructuring Greek. It would cause, he said, "collapse" of the economy and banking system in the country. Across the eurozone, it would complicate the use of borrowing for other troubled countries. It would kill the plans in the bud "adjustment" set up for Ireland and Portugal. For Vice-President of the ECB's Vitor Constancio, "The debt restructuring should remain what it is, a final and last resort."

France, she is sticking to its position."It is beyond question, be it restructuring, rescheduling or debt reprofiling, Tuesday assured Christine Lagarde. The only issue at stake is the determination of Greece to implement the program, "austerity negotiated with the EU, the IMF and the ECB.

Expected at the forum yesterday in Brussels, the French minister was canceled. We need more to convince markets that the succession process rigor imposed on Greece, Ireland and Portugal may succeed.

"The political risk of alienating voters'

Deutsche Bank expects a debt forgiveness of 50% to allow Greece to start on a sound footing. "Nobody can argue that Europe now has a satisfactory system rescue, said its chief economist Thomas Mayer.Banks should, too, suffer the discipline of the market and fail if necessary "under the weight of bad loans.

Wolfgang Schäuble added to demonstrate a political argument to deflect the rise of populism. "To constantly refloat private investors, policy makers may simply alienate European voters. It's not for nothing that the EU institutions are perceived as distant, technocratic and locked in a world of impenetrable jargon and insider trading. "To constantly refloat private investors, policymakers may s alienate voters in Europe … "

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The markets took fright on Friday night after a new European cacophony. Greece had threatened to leave the euro in discussions with the European Commission, reports the website of German magazine Der Spiegel quoted a government source in Berlin. The major European capitals have refuted this information.

"These items are a challenge, undermine the effort of Greece and the euro and serve speculative games," said the Greek finance ministry said in a statement. "The assumption of an outflow of Greece to the euro area is completely fanciful", has also assured Bercy.

Despite denials by the French, German and Greek, the single currency accelerated its decline against the dollar. Friday night shortly before 22:30, the euro lost nearly 1.4% to 1.4338 dollar. Rumor sign a new stage, and this information is disturbing.It is not surprising that the euro will weaken, "said one analyst at a U.S. bank. At the same time, the cost of insurance against a collapse of the Greek debt ("Credit default swaps, or CDS) jumped from 74 basis points to a record 1,370 basis points, according to Markit.

Meeting in Luxembourg

An emergency meeting was held between some finance ministers from the eurozone. The president of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker, has denied that a meeting devoted exclusively to Greece took place. Still, according to Reuters, the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and his Minister Jörg Assmussen are in Luxembourg for a meeting. These discussions would focus on topics such as Portugal, Greece or the succession to the head of the European Central Bank (ECB), but "nothing more," said a source in the euro area to the agency Press.

Contradictory statements agitate the euro area in recent weeks about a possible debt restructuring Greek. Lars Feld, one of economic advisers to Angela Merkel, considered by example on Sunday that the restructuring is "the only way forward so that Greece is a little relieved that creditors and help to solve the Greek problem." The ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet, for his part flatly denied Thursday that event.

Doubts seize the oil markets on Thursday. On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), the price of a barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery broke down the psychological barrier of $ 100. It closed at 99.80 dollars, a plunge of 9.44 dollars compared to the previous day (-8.64%). Prices had not changed at these levels since March 16, when the uprisings in the Arab world and worry about the nuclear crisis in Japan had made prices soar.

The downward trend is the same on the Intercontinental Exchange in London where a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for June delivery was trading session at 112.55 dollars, more than 6 dollars less than Wednesday.

U.S. job fears

This acceleration of the decline reflects the concerns of increasingly sharp operators on the health of the U.S. economy.The bad macroeconomic indicators are linked in recent days across the Atlantic, suggesting that the recovery is too fragile. The last, fell on Thursday, did only exacerbated tensions. On the eve of the publication of the monthly report on employment, investors learn that new jobless claims in the United States increased sharply during the last week of April, 474,000 applications for allocations, while economists s 'expecting a decline. The day before, the numbers of firm ADP showed that job creation in the private sector in the United States slowed in April, well below forecasts of economists.

These announcements point to a decline in oil demand in a context of high oil prices.In addition, a continued rise in U.S. oil inventories, which should have been starting to fall a few months of the summer of large displacements.

In this context, the sharp rise in the dollar makes things worse. Thursday disappointed by the decision of the ECB not to raise interest rates next month, traders got rid of their euros. Result: the single currency, which was worth $ 1.49 yesterday, falling almost 2% to 1.4547 dollar. A situation which penalizes the purchase of dollar-denominated crude and thus rendered less attractive.

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Avoid taking unnecessary risks. This should be the credo of investors on Wednesday at the Paris Bourse. The CAC 40, which strengthened yesterday after eight consecutive sessions progresison, thus starts the day on a drop of 0.18% to 4089.64 points.

The movement is exactly the same on other European markets. At the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 index lost 0.54% to 6049.96 points in early trade. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange also opened down 0.34% to 7475.18 points.

Investors have no clear upward or from Wall Street or the Asian markets. In addition, the program of the day is very busy. In addition to a series of important industry publication, several statistics are on the agenda. In France, there will be counts of the trade balance in March and the PMI services in April.This indicator is also expected across the eurozone, as retail sales in March. United States, employment is under the spotlight. So what awaited the traditional monthly report Friday, the markets will have an overview of the U.S. labor market from Wednesday with the Challenger study on employment, which will be followed by the ADP report. Next came the ISM services and oil stocks weekly.

Oil markets precisely, prices are still trending down in morning trading. A barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery lost 76 cents to 110.29 dollars while that of Brent North Sea also June delivery yielded 69 cents to 121.76 dollars. Brokers are questioning the declining demand in the United States. On the currency markets, the euro fell slightly to 1.4813 dollar.

BNP Paribas beats consensus

Orpea

The group announced Wednesday an increase of 26.7% of its sales in the first quarter of 2011 due to high occupancy of its homes and its clinics. It confirms its target of a 2011 turnover of at least 1.210 billion for the full year (964.2 million in 2010) and "maintaining profitability remains strong."

BNP Paribas

The group reported results well above expectations for the first quarter. Net income was up 14.6% to 2.6 billion euros over the first three months of the year, revenues rose 1.3% while provisions for bad debts fell by over 30% .

Alstom

The specialist in energy infrastructure and transport on Wednesday released results 2010-2011 in sharp decline, especially because of its activities in energy, and confirmed its targets for this fiscal year cours.Sur ended March 31, Alstom recorded a net profit of 462 million euros (-62%), operating income of 1.570 billion (-12%) and a turnover of 20.923 billion (+6%).

CGG Veritas

The oil services group has widened its losses in the first quarter to 37 million. Its sales rose 5% but at 728 million euros. The group recorded a backlog at April 1, to 1.22 billion on a market that is expected to strengthen gradually.

Iliad

The company said sales rose 1.1% to 509.8 million euros in the first quarter.

Scor

The French reinsurer posted a first quarter net loss of 80 million euros, mainly due to the cost of natural disasters in the first three months of 2011.

Side publications are expected on Wednesday égalment those Nicox and Boursorama (first quarter results). M6 and Gecina unveil their turnover in the first quarter. After trading, the income of Cegedim, and Mr Bricologe SeLoger.com are expected.

Vicat

The group announced on Tuesday a jump in sales in the first quarter thanks to a rebound in its business in Europe, helped by particularly mild weather conditions.

NRJ Group

The group announced Tuesday an increase in advertising revenues in France since the beginning of the second quarter, after posting a jump in sales over the first three months this year thanks to its television division.

Hermes Jean Paul Gaultier officially leaves

Valeo

The U.S. investment fund Pardus has criticized the leadership of Valeo's not doing more to address the valuation gap between the automotive supplier and its competitors.

Hermes

The broker said Tuesday the sale of its 45% stake in Jean Paul Gaultier perfume Catalan group Puig. The sale price of securities and loan repayments will generate a book profit of EUR 30 million in 2011, said the saddler.

Europacorp will present its strategic plan while Air Liquide holds its general meeting at 15 o'clock.

Union leaders had expected that the 1 May 2011 be a little raw. It is clear they have struggled to mobilize. In Paris, the procession was attended by 12,000 people Sunday, against 21,000 in 2010, told AFP the police headquarters. Organizers say 30,000 people joined them.

The secretary general of the CFDT Francois Chereque was present at the head of the cortege left shortly before 15 hours instead of the Republic, like that of Luke Berille UNSA and FSU Secretary General Bernadette Groison. The general secretary Bernard Thibault of the CGT, which was also manifest, was ultimately unable to move "because of major back problems," said his entourage told reporters.

Leaders of the Left also participated in the parade: Francois Hollande Olivier Besancenot through Eva Joly, Jean-Luc Melenchon or Marie-George Buffet.The spokesman of the Socialist Party, Benoît Hamon, the number two party, Harlem Desir, or members Bruno Le Roux, Sandrine Mazetier and President of the Ile-de-France, Jean-Paul Huchon were also behind the banner PS.

The leader of the Socialist Party, Martine Aubry, has, meanwhile, marched in Lille. "We do not have to be in the streets to celebrate International Labour Day," said the first secretary of the PS about the sparse parades, saying that employees would demonstrate "in 2012 at the ballot box."

Attendance was up for the parade FN

In the regions, the mobilization was also low.In Marseille, among 2000 people by 5000 according to police and organizers, marched through the streets between 1200 and 3500 people in Toulouse between 2200 and 3300 in Lyon, between 2200 and 3000 in Bordeaux between 1200 and 3000 in Strasbourg between 700 and 1000 in Lille and between 450 and 1000 in Rennes.

It was also shown to Pau (800 to 1200), in Angoulême (500), Besancon (500 to 1000), Brest (250 to 300), Nancy (700 people according to the unions) and as at Dunkirk, in Orléans and Caen.

These figures were more than expected from a trade union unity has disintegrated somewhat. "The character of this holiday is both less said, the day falls on a Sunday," observes Marcel Grignard, number two of the CFDT.In 2009 the protesters were much more likely because of the crisis, and in 2010 the fear of the pension reform, just before its unveiling, had been a factor in turnout.

On the other hand, the parade of Marine Le Pen Paris, focusing on the workers and popular classes, has mobilized more than expected among 3200 people according to police and 20,000 according to the FN (against 2000 and 8000 according to the police according to the FN last year).

"May 1st, we are the popes of the earth"

Besides purchasing power – the secretary general of the CFDT, Francois Chereque, called on Europe 1 radio on Sunday increased the minimum wage beyond the 2% rise tentatively scheduled on July 1 – the themes that defended Unions are talking years' support for the Arab peoples who rise to the dignity and freedom, "and" equal rights "between French and foreign workers in response to" national preference "advocated by the National Front , a rise in the opinion polls.

Winks comedy peppered some processions. "May 1st, we are the popes of the earth", alluding to the beatification of John Paul II. But also slogans in opposition to the FN, as in Rennes' French workers, immigrants, same bosses, same battles. "

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