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Meanwhile measure the effects of the broad financial reform approved by Congress, the giants of Wall Street continued their slow recovery. Citigroup, which had managed to exit the first quarter of 2010 after losing a total of $ 29 billion between 2008 and 2009, has confirmed his return to profits between March and June The third U.S. lender has reported net earnings of $ 2.7 billion, down 37% over a year. For its part, Bank of America, the first U.S. retail bank, posted net income of $ 3.1 billion, a slight decrease of 4%. The day before, JPMorgan had announced a profit of 4.8 billion, up 76%.

If the performance of these three giants of Wall Street have exceeded the expectations of financial analysts, they are far from convincing.The banks, in effect, save their profits fall in provisions for doubtful debts, which remain however very high levels. At Citigroup, they have a charge of $ 6.7 billion, the lowest in almost three years. For Bank of America, the drain $ 8.1 billion against $ 9.8 billion in the first quarter and still $ 16.4 billion a year ago credit reports free.

Less capital raising

More than three years after the start of the crisis in the housing, the improvement of conditions in the shy USA relieves borrowers. But business remains sluggish, as evidenced by the decrease in revenues of large banks: – 33% for Citigroup – 18% for Bank of America – 7% for JPMorgan. The great challenge for these players is to reach boost their sales."It will be several more quarters to see a sustainable activity," warns Brian Moynihan, the CEO of Bank of America.

Last year, the Wall Street banks had managed to offset the gloom with an exceptional year in the investment bank, with capital raising records. Alas, this windfall is gone and instead the second quarter under the sign of the crisis of European sovereign countries was characterized by high volatility and lower risk appetite. This scenario weighs on commissions and revenue from emissions trading.

No teletrack payday loans offer customers extreme speed in granting, approving and remitting cash advances to cater for any kind of unforeseen financial crisis.

This is the most reassuring news announced by the U.S. authorities for more than two months. According to Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen American to oversee cleanup operations in the Gulf of Mexico, BP should be able to contain 100% the gap in the well from which oil flows to by Monday. A new funnel, bigger than previous ones, is currently installed by the British oil.

This funnel, called "Top Hat Number 10", should recover up to 80,000 barrels of oil per day (12.7 million liters), against 25,000 now. The authorities are optimistic that based on their assessments, the well lost more than 60,000 barrels per day. The previous dome will be first removed. A large quantity of oil escape so well for 48 hours.But once the new funnel posed, the results will be immediate, promises Thad Allen.

Since April 20, the day of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon platform off the coast of Louisiana, BP has increased its attempts to clogging, all unsuccessful.

No stop before August

BP was more cautious in its forecasts. Bob Dudley, responsible for managing the disaster, spoke of another scenario where difficulties in installing the new funnel could delay the time from Monday to Thursday.

But authorities are confident: "We have the climate we need," said Thad Allen. The admiral, however, required to calm the enthusiasm that followed the announcement. "I used the word 'contain' and not 'stop'," he commented. According to him, the well would not be closed as well as two-pass will not be completed.These wells, dug deep to inject cement and mud, should not be installed until mid-August. Once the leak stopped, the extensive cleaning and restoration of the ratings will continue.

Anadarko does not pay

On this last point, BP was again struck Friday denied Anadarko Petroleum. The company, which owns 25% of wells responsible for the spill, said she would not pay the $ 272 million that BP is asking her to cover their share of cleanup costs, according to U.S. law known pollution.

On June 18, the tension was raised a notch between the two partners lorsqu'Anadarko stated that the explosion of April 20 on the platform Deepwater Horizon, "was preventable and was a direct result of decisions and actions BP unthinking.

In another e-mail sent Friday, a spokesman for Anadarko, John Christiansen, however, felt that his group remained "committed to working in good faith with BP to reach a satisfactory resolution."

BP is now awaiting the response of Mitsui, which owns 10% of the wells. The British oil giant is claiming $ 112 million for cleanup costs. The company has not yet made its position.

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Accor train just keeps on getting shorter. Just days after it formally separated from his service branch, and renamed Edenred publicly traded hotel group Accor has formalized its withdrawal on Wednesday its subsidiary Compagnie des Wagons-Lits (CWL).

The project had been discussed in our columns, before being denied by Accor. Its position has obviously changed since then. The group sells for an undisclosed fee, 60% of the catering on board trains CWL Newrest its competitor, based in Toulouse. From January 2013, the French group will assign the remaining 40%, for an amount which depends on the valuation of the company at this time.

Last year, Compagnie des Wagons-Lits has achieved a turnover of 248 million euros and operating profit (EBIT) of EUR 3 million. In late 2009, the CWL has lost a major contract in Spain.The impact on turnover in the first quarter of 2010 represents a shortfall of 40 million euros, says it Accor, stressing that the CWL has instead awarded the contract for the TGV East March 7 last. A year earlier she had lost the tender for the provision of bar cars off the TGV North-East.

Other possible assignments

Present within the Accor Group since 1992, the Company has lost its former glory. Founded in 1872 by Belgian Georges Nagelmackers, who built the first sleeping cars and dining cars before embarking on the Orient Express and the Trans-Siberian railway, it has diversified into the hotel chains with Pullman, Etap- Hotel and Arcade (now in the lap of Accor) and in the service on board trains. The latter is now the only one of the Company.Over the past year, the Pullman Orient Express is indeed operated by the SNCF ….

Newrest, the new owner of Compagnie des Wagons-Lits, himself is present in the food on board aircraft, the catering, the basics of life for the oil industry and mining, VIP lounges at airports .. . Last year, its turnover reached 407 million euros. "This joint venture represents a unique opportunity to expand into the catering market on trains and expand into new countries such as Austria and Italy," says one in Newrest. For Accor, which is defined as the first global hotel operator, "This transaction is part of its policy of focusing on his heart craft." This does not preclude other interruptions.Draft assignment of Sofitel and Motel 6 chains have been mentioned by analysts of the market … and denials by the management of Accor.

The association UFC – Que Choisir has just published a study on 3G mobile phone plans denouncing "the false promises of unlimited Internet. According to this study, 41% of consumers are not satisfied with the 3G connection on their mobile phone.

The association of consumer advocacy focuses on two points. First, it denounces the bridle in all mobile networks operators and found that the rate (or velocity) is deficient in all mobile operators. "59% of the reported rates do not exceed one megabit per second when the 3G theoretically allows a throughput of 7.2 megabits" said Edouard Barreiro, director of studies at the association of consumer protection.

Second, the study notes that the nature of the packages called "unlimited internet" is often questioned by users.Indeed, how can it be considered an access to the Internet access to a network crippled (no VOIP or P2P for example) and sometimes (eg in some packages of Orange) excludes even download emails?

In this context, concludes UFC-Que Choisir, it is not surprising that 41% of users are dissatisfied with their 3G connection payday loan lenders. And the association calls on governments a regulatory framework in three points. Firstly, the operators use the term "Internet" to refer only to universal access to all content. Secondly, they cease to call 'unlimited' offers subject to a quota of data exchanged.Finally, the operators are required to provide their customers with a clear and accurate information on the characteristics of service (speed, coverage, network saturation, etc..).

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Hostile to a widespread tightening, the G20 has accepted this weekend in Toronto fiscal restraint to the map, depending on the country, and spread over time. The countries have agreed to "reduce by at least half the deficit by 2013, and stabilize or reduce the costs of public debt to GDP by 2016, without specifying binding targets to States.

As a result, financial markets, the atmosphere of uncertainty can be expected.

In Paris, while the CAC 40 has lost about 5% in just three sessions of declines marked – and having earned 10.5% in nine sessions of gains on – the hesitation should be on the agenda this Monday morning.Although at 8:20, the CAC 40 futures contracts predict an opening up of about 0.45%, the trend will remain fragile.

The euro was slightly lower at 1.2362 dollar and gold – the same trend – is still treated in 1256 dollars.

A well-attended American Statistical

On Monday, held a ministerial meeting between OPEC and the European Commission.At the ECB, the figures on M3 money supply and credit to the private sector will be announced at 10:00.

For the U.S., followed the very household income and expenditure for the month of June is available at 14:30 just before the opening of Wall Street.

The statistic most watched this week will be the number of applicants for overseas jobs, which will be released Friday, which should mark a break in the trend with further destruction of jobs expected.

The bank fee: disagreements

Priority of Paris and Berlin, the tax credit has received a cold reception in Toronto at the G20.Despite support from Washington and London, the final communique does not mention the tax lip as a legitimate option for banks to charge up the pieces of the crisis.

Popular Banks Savings Banks According to information Wansquare, BPCE Foncia has decided to withdraw from the sale. The preparation of a new law on directors and the rout of Urbania Group took account of the sale of the land.

Casino Jean-Charles Naouri, CEO of the group, delivered the Figaro its strategy to cope with a sluggish consumer in France, however, offset by continued momentum overseas. The boss has no plans to float Cdiscount and will focus more on small and medium format hypermarkets (6 000-8 000 square meters), rather than the hypermarkets.

Trigano will on Monday publish its turnover for the third quarter of fiscal offset.

Good news for Sanofi-Aventis. The pharmaceutical giant has obtained a favorable opinion of the Commission on Transparency Multaq medical interest, reveals the Tribune Wednesday. This drug for cardiac arrhythmias in place of amiodarone which generates significant side effects, had been criticized by the French authorities as a renowned American Institute cardialogie.

The Transparency Committee eventually concluded that "the Multaq does not improve the medical service rendered in relation to amiodarone (…) but represents a useful supplementary therapy. Experts believe that the "medical service rendered" is "important" when they had considered "moderate" in the first review in March.

This advisory opinion warrants a refund of 65% of Multaq, but it does not fix the selling price. This will be negotiated with the Ministry of Health.The daily La Tribune said that the opinion of the Commission should result in a price lower than the products already marketed. The laboratory should therefore support price negotiations with a strong argument: the reduction of hospitalizations and deaths due to medication.

900 million euros turnover in 2013 horzon

While numerous patents expire Group, Sanofi-Aventis place great hope in the Multaq: Analysts expect 900 million euros turnover in 2013, according to business daily.

The new drug is already marketed in several countries like Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland or Canada. A spokesman for the pharmaceutical group has confirmed a target marketing Multaq in France by the end of the year.

If it does not take the bull by the horns, Japan will end as Greece. The policy speech delivered yesterday by the new Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, before Parliament is clearly intended to create a shock.

"Like the problems in the euro area caused by Greece, there is a risk of collapse if we do nothing against the rising public debt and consequently lose the confidence of bond markets," Has he said. Japan's debt exceeds 200% because of GDP (gross domestic product) and threatens to reach 246% in 2014, according to the IMF.

In reality, there is no chance that the archipelago is found in the situation in Athens, since this debt is 95% owned by Nippon investors and long-term rates remain very low, but feared the reaction of Tokyo rating agencies.Last January, Standard and Poor's downgraded the rating of its long-term debt from "stable" to "negative".

Naoto Kan, who can count on the support of 61.5% of the population, according to a poll conducted Wednesday, draws a line over ten years of economic policy that has led the country to choke.

He wants to go fast and run a complete overhaul of the tax system by initiating a national debate beyond partisan barriers "to ensure the support of the opposition. The economic recovery of the archipelago, with an annualized growth of 5% in the first quarter, giving him the means.

Deflationary

But this reform is likely to be painful because it requires an increase in VAT, currently at 5%, one of the lowest in developed countries. Can not kill it in the bud the recovery of consumer confidence recorded in five months? "I do not think so.The VAT could double, but that should not weigh. When households are too indebted state, they are slowing their purchases. If they have a visibility they consume more, "said one investment banker in Tokyo. He added that such measures can help break the spiral of deflation, which, "by dint expect further declines in prices affects consumption."

The government, which wants to reduce unnecessary government spending, is preparing in parallel to reduce the corporate tax, which at 40%, is one of the highest of OECD countries. This would allow companies to offer cheaper products, thereby reducing the impact of the tax increase on consumption.

"It's courageous," says a French financial analyst living in Japan.And Naoto Kan, for once, can rely with confidence on the new Minister of Finance, Yoshihiko Noda, firm believer in fiscal discipline.

Only downside, the prime minister can not deny the social promises made during the campaign of his party. But they are expensive. The only allowance for children continuing their studies, launched in the spring and intended to fight against the declining birth rate, represents 45 billion euros per year. And the Minister of Social Affairs, Akira Nagatsuma suggests it could take another form as a cash payment to families. But "when we preach the rigor of educational way, the Japanese understand perfectly," decide the investment banker, who took the gamble that the revolution Kan prevail.

History! No fewer than three giants of French capitalism take their bow this spring. The vintage 2010 general meetings, which are in full swing in recent days, promises to be dominated by the departure of Presidents of Sanofi-Aventis, Total and Saint-Gobain. Jean-Francois Dehecq, Thierry Desmarest and Jean-Louis Beffa, former CEO during the course of their groups, have already sold one after the other the reins of the general direction of their dolphin. By one month, they also give up the presidency, he had kept time to pass the baton smoothly.

For a year, one quarter of the CAC 40 have experienced at their head movements, visible these days as AG. This is often an opportunity for groups to reconstruct the position of CEO, dear to the French tradition. Christophe de Margerie, and Pierre-Andre de Chalendar thus inherit full power Discount Total and Saint-Gobain.France Telecom, meanwhile, saw a rapid transition after the scandal of suicide. St?phane Richard, who took over on March 1, Didier Lombard Branch knows that it will not last: it is proposed as an administrator at the meeting of June 9, to get the Grail as CEO in spring 2011 .

Ultimately, if we exclude the Cr?dit Agricole – true to his rule called "four eyes" – and who will succeed Jean-Marie Sander Rene Carron as head of the group, the Germano-Canadian Christopher Viehbacher (Sanofi-Aventis ) is the only general managers to remain under supervision despite the departure of its president. Serge Weinberg takes effect in the torch left by Jean-Francois Dehecq, the founder of the pharmaceutical company.A matter of nationality? Last year, the board of Societe Generale had waived, under political pressure, to entrust the presidency to Britain's Tony Wyand after the resignation of Daniel Bouton. Rather than having a candidate imposed by the Elysee, the bank was then promoted its managing director Frederic Oud?a the rank of CEO and Tony Wyand placed at his side as vice president.

Vice President referent

If he returns to court, the model of the French boss is omnipotent and more often mitigated by the presence of a guardian "Jiminy Cricket" by his side. At Veolia, already, after the departure of Henri Proglio, his successor Anthony fawn followed closely since last fall by his vice-president, Louis Schweitzer. Axa similar pattern. Henri de Castries, chairman of the board so far, has certainly been converted CEO last week.But at the same time, Norbert Dentressangle, the owner of eponymous transport group, has been appointed as vice-chair, "referring independent director.

Jacques de Chateauvieux, who had succeeded to the presidency of the Executive to Claude Bebear, Axa's founder, had found himself as the structure to the Executive and Supervisory Board was not justified.

As at Societe Generale, had to adjust the statutes to give substance to this vice presidency, that does not exist in French law. Thursday, shareholders of Vinci will last for Yves-Thibault de Silguy at the podium as President. The great servant of the State, which had been called to the rescue in 2006 following the hectic departure of Antoine Zacharias, sits down on the vice-presidency. Xavier Huillard, the group general manager of concessions, makes him the scepter of CEO.A development designed to end the tensions that prevailed in Vinci.

Not easy, indeed, to live day to day relationship between a "chairman" and "CEO" in a foreign country that tradition. "France and the United States are the only countries where these functions remain separate," recalls Loic Dessaint, in Proxinvest, a consulting firm in corporate governance. In light of these latest twists, it appears increasingly that the wave of the separation of powers, meeting in the mid-2000s, showed more concern for some employers to ensure a smooth transition with a real cultural revolution. We had already seen, in 2009, Carlos Ghosn CEO of Renault erected at the term of office of Louis Schweitzer. The method remains valid.Essilor, Xavier Fontanet was withdrawn and the presidency since January 1, transmitting the general direction Hubert Sagnieres. Even the intended movement of 1 July for the specialist Veritas Geophysical GSC.

Finally, it may be tempting to take the highway in reverse, it can be expensive. Jean-Francois Roverato, CEO of Eiffage, who had time left for the operational reins back then paid dearly for this year. Its board of directors granted a renewal of his mandate for one year …

STOCK markets take a breather. In Paris the CAC 40 tumbled 1.94%, to finish the session in 4000 exactly 3 points at 986.63 points. The announcement of action against the U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs has literally showered the markets.

The indices that had evolved sawtooth most of the day were immediately plunged. Almost everywhere, investors chose to pocket their gains on the values that have risen more. In London, the FTSE fell 1.39% and in Frankfurt the Dax dropped 1.76%.

Wall Street had previously lined up six sessions was washed away.Shortly before the close of European stock exchanges, the Dow Jones slid 0.51% and the Nasdaq by 0.76%.

Goldman Sachs Sticky

The U.S. stock market watchdog, the SEC announced Friday it was suing the U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs to "fraud" on the sale of investment securities linked to subprime mortgages, called "subprime" ( see also page 21). The good news continued to flow as the business side as the economy fell into the background. Thus, the highly anticipated conglomerate General Electric, as well as those of Bank of America, the Internet giant Google, the specialist of AMD microprocessors, or the toy maker Mattel has exceeded all expectations.

Good news also on the side of macroeconomic indicators in the United States.Housing starts housing as the number of building permits issued rose more than expected in February. In Europe, the public debt remains a central concern. Greece announced Friday its intention to raise 1.5 billion euros in Treasury bills. Tuesday an initial public offering had already helped to raise 1.56 billion euros. The announcement comes as the Europeans and the IMF are finalizing the program of aid to Greece. Finance ministers from the euro zone met in Madrid on Friday for an update on the crisis in Greece. And a new mission of the IMF and the European Commission is expected in Athens on Monday.

lefigaro.fr / jdf.com: carbon tax rejected, disagreements at the Copenhagen summit. These events would not they have a negative impact on Socially Responsible Investment (SRI)?

Alain Zeitouni: I think, however, that these cons-time advocate of SRI. They illustrate the inability of states to agree on what policy to adopt and highlight companies that have a real socially responsible approach. Investing in SRI is an investment in a well-run company with good governance and employability positive and more likely to see its share price appreciate.

AFG (French Association of Financial Management) will also require management companies by July 31, a code of ethics which they must answer a series of questions about their SRI policy.Management companies will therefore have an obligation to be transparent with investors in our case, we will put this code available to our customers on our website.

Why did you choose the multi *? How do you reconcile with SRI?

As a society, we believe it is more appropriate to rely on several topics related to SRI, rather than a team with SRI extra-financial analysis.It is well known that our SRI funds Alphastar Barclays profit pricing that allows investors to actively contribute to social awareness, with 20% management fee will be donated to support local civic projects through our structure Barclays Solidarity.

SRI funds are they more efficient than conventional investments?

It is difficult to measure but what is certain is that SRI is more resistant in the phases of market correction and presents a more defensive profile, if uptrend. In other words, there is an outperformance in the market phases. SRI is not a barrier to the market performance. Instead, he must give value added to the fund compared to a traditional investment.The management team should also bring in funds through the performance of traditional criteria such as the revaluation of securities and its prospects.

How do you select your values?

Our management approach is based on a "best in class", that is to say that we select the best titles in their class, whatever the category. In other words, we do not exclude sectors that initially do not appear to be consistent with the ISR, such as the automotive and oil industries, for example.

While values have a real socially responsible approach, we keep them. For example, some car values are investing heavily in R & D to reduce pollution from their vehicles or oil stocks investing in renewable energy. The purpose of a product is primarily SRI performance.We believe it is unnecessary to have a debate about whether a particular value or not SRI.

Why is it your portfolio as concentrated (Barclays Alphastar SRI consists of 13 funds, Ed)?

Our portfolio consists of only 13 funds, because we were not convinced of the other approaches SRI funds, and we believe this issue to make it more readable, it is not necessary to invest in more funds . Accordingly, we are heavily invested on each line, because we have strong convictions on certain themes (sustainable development, corporate governance) that we identify as a source of added value.

Amund and Natixis are historical actors of SRI investing in this topic for many years. They have a database of the oldest of the place.We also returned UFG shares Sarasin Euro Mid-Caps, while our investment universe is large caps. The idea is to identify mid-cap stocks that are concerned with the theme of SRI, but that hardly communicate, because they do not face the same pressure as the major media values.

What is the performance of your fund?

Our fund outperformed the MSCI Europe since its creation of 1.5 basis points (-19.18% against 20.73%) and the underperformed since the beginning of the year (2.98% against 3 57%). This reflects the fact that our portfolio is too concentrated on European values. Because of the difficulties of Greece, the euro has sharply d?sappr?ci? and our portfolio with him. Thus, more than one reason for the market for a reason related to the SRI we underestimate performons index.We therefore decided to refocus on Europe in integrating the England and Switzerland in our portfolio.

That is why we returned OFI leader who is a fund invested in European companies considered in a leadership role within their industry and their competitive universe. We also selected HS Europe, which is invested in European companies also meeting the constraints on environmental, social ethics and governance. We believe that given the pressures on the euro, the single currency will continue to depreciate.

* Multi-management is a technique that selects the most experienced managers and more effective and provide access to larger customer base through a single medium (CPF unit trust or life insurance contract).

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