Financial, Business, Personal Finance News

European markets down slightly, investors cautious

Investors continue to play it safe Friday in anticipation of monthly U.S. employment. The European stock markets opened slightly down in the wake of the fence undecided on Wall Street, the CAC 40, FTSE 100 and the DAX lost between 0, 1% and 0.3%.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended down after three sessions of consecutive increases.

In the Greek case, the European Central Bank (ECB) is studying how to contribute to the bailout of Greece in Athens and could make profits earned on Greek bonds it holds, by circumventing the prohibition of direct financing of the States.

Values, Volvo earns 1.8%. The Swedish manufacturer of heavy trucks has yet reported an operating profit below expectations for the fourth quarter of 2011.

LVMH lost 1.5%, a victim of profit taking after the publication of its 2011 results.

An agreement on Greek debt may be Wednesday

The negotiations between Greece and its private creditors on debt restructuring of the country could be concluded on Wednesday, said bankers and politicians, even if a rise in the role of the European Central Bank (ECB) is now seen as imperative in the case. </ p> According to the bankers and those responsible for the sector Private is now ready to accept a discount of about 70% of Greek government bonds held by it, which should reduce the debt of some of Greece 100 billion euros. </ p> The Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos for his part said that the discount could be even higher than 70%.</ P> That said, despite its size, this discount should not, according to officials, be sufficient to reduce the debt of Greece E equivalent of 120% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020, ratio deemed necessary, as part of plan to help the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union to make debt sustainable. </ p> As a result, more and more people involved in the case believe that the Greek public holders of securities – the ECB and national central banks of euro area – must participate in the debt restructuring of the country, continued bankers and officials.</ P> "The analysis is done at this stage is to see what measures the public sector could take to reduce the debt of Greece," he told Reuters a European Head , to the point of discussion. </ p> "The goal is to reduce the debt-GDP ratio to 120%, but even with the exchange of debt, it is still be ; s so far the public sector involvement is necessary. "</ p> A banking source said it was now accepted that private sector involvement would not produce the desired effects without the public sector also assumes some of the losses. </ p> "Now we discuss how," she added.</ P> LOSS FOR CENTRAL BANKS </ p> sources of the ECB told Reuters last week that the ECB had paid during the year e past, as part of its controversial program to buy back shares, 38 billion to buy Greek bonds with face value of 50 billion euros. </ p> The ECB finds itself position to record a nominal gain of 12 billion euros, a sum that could be reassigned to Athens without the ECB does not suffer losses. </ p> But one European official added that this still not enough to bridge the gap – estimated at 10 percentage points – between the discount that is about to make the private sector and the goal of a debt of 120%.</ P> The ECB and national central banks in the euro area could be forced to take losses on assets held or at least to waive payment of interest. </ p> But, according to sources, the results of some national central banks would not withstand such losses. </ p> "This complicates the discussion," said a banker about this possibility. </ p> Another source said that it might be necessary for one or more central banks to raise capital to offset possible a loss.</ P> While discussions on private sector involvement culmination Wednesday – after I started there almost seven months and have been interrupted several times – the resolution of the issue of public sector involvement could still take a few days. </ p> European shares closed higher, buoyed by the hope biento t reach an agreement between Athens and its private creditors on Greek debt and after the adoption of the new Treaty of fiscal discipline. </ p> Failing agreement, the Greece could end up in default of payment, when 14.5 billion euros of bonds will mature in March. </ p>

The overall business climate in France has again deteriorated in November, as expected, shows the monthly business survey released Wednesday by INSEE.

The composite indicator of business climate in manufacturing industry fell by two points to 95 and remains below the 100 that corresponds to the long-term average of this indicator.

All 23 economists polled by Reuters on average expected a figure of 95, with estimates ranging from 93 to 97.

The indicator of business climate as a whole, including services, construction, wholesale and retail trade, a parallel decline of two points to 93.

"The turning point indicator remains in the negative zone in which he had switched to in September.Sectoral indicators are all turning into a negative zone, "said INSEE in a statement.

The service indicator down two points to 92.

The operators of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka announced Tuesday they would merge in 2013 to give birth to the Third World scholarship, with traded securities worth about 3,600 billion dollars (2.664 billion euros) .

After months of negotiations, the operation of a $ 4.1 billion, will allow the two stock exchange operators to pool their complementary strengths in a rapidly consolidating industry.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) controls 90% of equity trading in cash while the Osaka Securities Exchange (OSE) attracts the largest volumes of futures contracts on the Nikkei and other derivatives.

The combined value of these securities listed on stock exchanges comes behind that of NYSE Euronext (12,000 billion) and Nasdaq OMX Group (close to 4.000 billion), according to figures from the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).

Over the past five years, mergers and acquisitions announced in the stock sector operators accounted for about $ 83 billion, the players wanting to reduce costs and diversify the face of weak revenue from the traditional trading of shares.

The TSE will offer 480,000 yen per share OSE, a premium of 14% over the closing price on Monday.

The entity formed by the merger will remain as a vehicle listing title OSE, which gained up to 5.5% after the announcement, before closing up 4.6%.

The ratio of the TSE merger valued at approximately 1.7 times the OSE, whose market capitalization reached $ 1.5 billion.

Professionals solar electricity on Thursday presented their general condition. They believe France is capable of producing 20 gigawatts by the age of 10, which would allow it to interfere in an expanding global market.

Do not waste the potential of the photovoltaic sector. That's essentially the message that wanted to pass Thursday industry professionals gathered as part of the presentation of their general condition. According to them, photovoltaics can create 100,000 jobs by 2020. They argue that the solar electricity market is exploding worldwide, and that within 10 years will weigh between 79 and 129 billion euros a year in revenue. They believe this type of energy could begin to be as efficient as electricity from the grid by 2016.It provides for a reduction in production costs by 50% by 2020, following the industrialization of the sector. And a boom in sales following a European directive which induces that all new homes to be energy self-sufficient over a year since 2020.

The professionals ensure that France has the means to take advantage of this expansion. To do this, it must be able to install a power production of 20 gigawatts (GW), which happens according to professionals with an investment of 800 million euros per year and the establishment of a "regulatory framework visible and stable. " "Instead of the objective of the Grenelle 5.4 GW in 2020, we offer 20 GW, which will create 100,000 jobs of which 12,000 can not be relocated in the industry," said Loïc de Poix, responsible of the Association of French industrial PV.

After several months of the States General, all industry players have submitted their proposals to the press for the future of a sector that has suffered greatly from the moratorium imposed in 2010 by the government, which resulted in the removal some 10,000 jobs. These proposals focus on four areas: defining a stable regulatory framework with measures to support demand and supply meet the production target to 20 GW by 2020 against 5.4 GW currently adapting the rates redemption of the solar electricity and regionalization. If nothing is done, the sector could be a deficit and a half billion euros in 2020.

COR-no decisions, but work is progressing in Brussels

No decision will be announced following the summit of the euro area held late Sunday afternoon in Brussels, even if the work is progressing well, said Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel.

French President and German Chancellor, speaking at a joint press conference after a summit in the first twenty-seven on Sunday morning and noon, said the work "techniques" were still to be completed by the next level of the EU and the euro area on Wednesday.

"Work is progressing well on the banks of the fund and the potential use of this fund are tightening the assumptions and broad agreement is taking shape.On the issue of Greece things are progressing.

The transformation of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) in the bank, which insisted on France, no longer part of the options considered by the finance ministers of the euro, has also said Angela Merkel.

Without commenting on this issue, Nicolas Sarkozy said that France was just as attached as Germany the independence of the institution in Frankfurt, which is itself hostile to the possibility of granting a banking license and Unlimited funding EFSF.

"No solution is viable if it does not have the support of all European institutions," said Nicolas Sarkozy.

The two leaders also said they urged the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, with whom they met ahead of the summit, for it to decisively implement a program of growth and debt reduction Alps.

"I hope that decisions will be taken (…) Italy is a major economic force but Italy has a very high public debt should be reduced in a credible way in the coming years," said Angela Merkel.

Nicolas Sarkozy has outbid by saying that Paris and Berlin were "confident sense of responsibility of all the Italian authorities' political, financial and economic," said Nicolas Sarkozy.

Inflation to a peak of three years in September in Britain

Inflation in Britain has reached its highest level for three years in September, according to official figures released Tuesday.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) said that consumer prices increased by 0.6% a month to month and 5.2% a year, their largest increase since September 2008 after 4.5% in August.

Analysts expected a 0.4% inflation a month to month and 4.9% year on year.

The ONS said the price increases by four of the six major utilities companies were included in the figures for September and that those of the two remaining ones would be in October.

The post electricity, gas and expenses jumped 18.3% year on year in September, said the ONS, while transport costs increased by 12.8%. The food prices have increased by 6% each.

The Bank of England (BoE) expects inflation of 5% this year, well above its 2% target, but the recent deterioration in economic outlook augurs a return in the medium-term objective the BoE, which is 2% annual rate.

The trade deficit is reduced by Airbus

The French trade deficit narrowed to less than 5 billion euros in August, against more than 6 billion in July. But he reached the summits Enco: January 1, the accumulated balance in the trade balance was -48.5 miliard. Assembly plant of Airbus A380 in Toulouse

The trade deficit of France was a switchblade in August. It fell to 4.97 billion euros, 6.36 billion after July when adjusted for seasonal variations. The decrease was due to a sharp rise in exports of transport equipment, Customs said Friday.

"In August, the implementation of major aerospace contracts causes a sharp increase in exports of transport equipment. In addition, industrial supplies remain firm.In the end, the deficit is entirely due to the transport sector ", have they said in a statement.

The accumulated balance in the trade balance since 1 January but still reached record highs. He came to indeed -48.560 billion euros, against -33.184 billion in the first eight months of last year. And over the last twelve months, the gap between imports and exports widened to 66.8 billion euros, against 51.5 billion for 2010. Exports reached on August 37.42 billion euros, up 2.9% at three months. Imports have risen to 42.387 billion euros from 41.628 billion in July.

In August, France sold its 16 Airbus reported 1.345 million euros against 20 in July to 1.183 million.In addition, France has delivered two satellites, one in China (112 million) and the other in the United States (130 million). The performance of aerospace and aeronautics, powered shots of large contracts, are very volatile from one month to another.

Steve Jobs, Apple's legendary boss, has died at age 56

Steve Jobs, co-founder and iconic Apple chief, died Wednesday at age 56 after a long battle against cancer.

His immense contribution to the computer and creativity, which revolutionized the everyday practices of millions of people worldwide, were immediately welcomed in the political class and the world of new technologies but also among Apple customers, often become unconditional followers of products born of his imagination.

"Steve Jobs was among the greatest innovators Americans brave enough to think differently, bold enough to think himself capable of changing the world and talented enough to do so," said President of the United States Barack Obama, saying that the world had "lost a visionary."

From Los Angeles to Sydney, admirers began to pay tribute to Steve Jobs before the Apple Stores'. Before one of these stores in New York, candles, flowers, an apple or an iPod were filed in an impromptu memorial. In San Francisco, some waved their iPads by including one on the screen in black and white portrait of Steve Jobs.

The phenomenon also affects many websites, including Apple, which changed its home page to display a picture of his co-founder, simply titled "Steve Jobs: 1955-2011."

At company headquarters, the flags were taken at half-mast.Employees have left flowers on a bench.

"For those of us who were lucky enough to work with him, it was an insanely great honor," said former rival Bill Gates, former head of Microsoft and other icon of the computer, using the phrase "insanely great" that liked to use Steve Jobs himself.

Outside the residence of Steve Jobs in Palo Alto, neighbors and friends laid flowers and left messages on the sidewalk."Thank you for changing the world," it said in particular.

SOLID COMPANY

Steve Jobs has died in Palo Alto, California, surrounded by his wife and his closest relatives, said Apple, with no other details.

He resigned in late August from his position as CEO of Apple, saying that his health no longer allowed him to take charge.He was then sent to Tim Cooks his right arm over the reins of the company was born, according to legend, in a garage.

For most analysts and investors, Steve Jobs gives a company strong enough to continue growing despite the loss of one who was also its main source of innovation and its charismatic promoter.

Apple, the second market capitalization on Wall Street behind the oil major Exxon Mobil, however, faces many challenges, including the face of competition from Google, whose Android operating system team more and more smartphones.

The Cupertino company is also engaged in a legal showdown with South Korea's Samsung Electronics in terms of intellectual property.

"Steve Jobs has introduced many revolutionary changes in the field of information technology and it was a great entrepreneur. His innovative spirit and its remarkable achievements remain forever etched in the minds of people around the world," said Samsung boss, GS Choi.

The famous "keynote"

Steve Jobs's death occurs after the presentation by Tim Cook of the new iPhone 4S in a "keynote" as Steve Jobs featured at each release of a new Apple product. The new device has attracted little enthusiasm, much regretting the lack of major innovation for the product best-selling worldwide.

Steve Jobs's death was announced after the end of virtually all trade with the New York Stock Exchange.The Apple stock ended the session at 378.25 dollars but the title side yielded 3.7% in Frankfurt on Thursday morning.

Tim Cook said that Apple would hold "soon" in-house ceremony in honor of Steve Jobs.

"Intelligence, passion and energy of Steve were the source of countless innovations that have enriched and improved the lives of all of us. The world is infinitely better thanks to Steve," Apple wrote in a statement.

Steve Jobs' wealth is estimated by Forbes magazine to seven billion dollars and it is unclear how it will be distributed.

Segolene Royal launched her own public bank for SMEs

Poitou-Charentes has formalized the launch of an investment bank for SMEs. 33 million of regional funds will be available in two years. Segolene Royal, Socialist candidate for the primary (here at a press conference in Paris June 29, 2011).

The Regional Council of Poitou-Charentes, headed by Ségolène Royal, the Socialist Party candidate in the primary, formalized Monday the creation of a regional investment bank for SMEs, said the community in a statement. "With the bank, SMEs can now apply to a single paperless service, managed by the region, common to all funding partners," says the region is now arguing that "SMEs will benefit from consulting and a more simple, faster and more relevant. "

With the help of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), € 33 million of regional funds will be made in two years, available to the bank. The region also hopes to get input from the Deposit or private investors to "finance EUR 280 million investment and activity in the territory."

This initiative was announced September 12 by Ségolène Royal, along with five other actions for SMEs. The primary candidate for the PS but noted that "starting a business is not valued in France," and expressed his "firm belief" that it was necessary to ensure that France "is recovering from tissue SMEs ". It was also suggested to "reserve a portion of public contracts to SMEs".

The region has also announced that it creates a semi-public company, ESTER (Solar Electricity Territories) Poitou-Charentes regional development of solar power. ESTER Poitou-Charentes "aims to invest in making solar power plants with an investment program of 200 million by 2015, representing 120 megawatts of power, or one and half times the power currently installed Poitou-Charentes, and 500 permanent jobs, "the statement also indicates the regional council.