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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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"Socially responsible investing is popular

What a pleasant surprise! In March, the barometer of the moral frameworks (- 26) has won eight points from February, regaining its 2005 level. "This result is exceptional in scope and that ends the period of depression began in the fall of 2008, is a bundle of factors, both macro and micro," said Francois Miquet-Marty, president of ViaVoice.

Last month, the number of unemployed has increased by "only" 0.1% and the Prime Minister said that the unemployment curve "should be reversed" this year.

In this context, the pessimism fades frames. They are more than 23% against 28% a month earlier, suggests that the number of unemployed would "increase significantly" in the coming months. It's the same for the outlook for living standards. The frames provide a breakdown is no longer the majority (45% against 51% in February).

Occupational mobility

Moreover, two important indicators, as forming part of life, experiencing a frank improvement. Thus, 25% of executives (+ 7 points) believe that opportunities to advance their careers in the coming months "will be important" and 18% (+5 points) than their financial situation "will improve" easy payday loans.

Regional elections have also played a role in improving the morale of white-collar. "Their result has reassured the French left's ability to register their camp in a dynamic of conquest of power and those on the right on the determination of the President of the Republic to maintain focus and to pursue reforms, with the exception of the carbon tax, "said Francois Miquet-Marty.Asked about the place and role of higher education, executives claim, massively, more money for it. Eight out of ten consider, in fact, that France "does not invest enough" in this teaching.

On effectiveness, their opinion is also positive. Seven in ten "confidence" in higher education to deliver a broad general education and a narrow majority (52%), they also make it "trust" to prepare young people for the job.

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The comeback of frames

"Moral frameworks: the acclaimed Model EDF

The French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis and the U.S. Merck in a statement announcing the creation of a joint venture in animal health. Owned equally between the two groups, it is destined to become the world's number one industry with a combined turnover of approximately $ 5.3 billion, or 29% of the market.

Since July 29, 2009 and redeemed for $ 4 billion of Merck's participation in their previous joint venture Merial, Sanofi-Aventis had an option to meet with Merial, Intervet Schering-Plow Animal Health Division in the born merger between Merck and Schering Plow.

The deal values Merial to 8 billion dollars and Intervet Schering-Plow 8.5 billion.It already cost at Sanofi-Aventis 250 million dollars to establish an equal joint venture with Merck, and 750 million under the agreement of July 2009 the statement said.

The formation of this joint venture is subject to completion of definitive agreements, review by competition authorities in the United States, Europe and other countries . The completion of the transaction is expected during the next 12 months. Pending completion of the transaction, Merial and Intervet Schering-Plow continue to work independently.

The market for animal health has reached 19 billion dollars in 2008. Products for pets represent 40% of the market and 60% for animal production.The growth of this market should be about 5% per year during the next 5 years, supported by a growing demand for animal protein, and by the substantial need for care for pets.

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The news was confirmed by a spokesman for Total, following a central works council. The Dunkirk refinery has finally closed its doors Monday. As the oil group had promised the 370 employees keep their jobs by creating a depot, a training center, a technical center and reclassifications.

The logistics depot would employ 15 people, training centers and technical assistance in refining approximately 225. Employees will be offered 80 positions in other refineries, 30 positions in other structures of Total in France and 20 employees will be granted "for early career.

The proposed closure of the Dunkirk refinery is the source of the national strike in late February that poses the threat of a shortage of fuel.The refinery has 370 direct employees and 400 to 450 employees subcontractors.

Total promised to each employee in the establishment of Flanders' work at Total matching skills. Another promise: "no closure or sale" of French refineries will happen within five years.

Substitution project

Before the start of the meeting, Total has confirmed its participation in the construction of an LNG terminal by EDF in the port of Dunkirk. The agreement provides for "an equity Total capital 'of society, Dunkerque LNG, a subsidiary of EDF responsible for the construction of this terminal will terminal.Ce regasification capacity of between 10 and 13 billion cubic meters per year. The decision regarding its actual construction will be taken before the summer and could be put into service in 2014.It remains "conditioned on obtaining all regulatory approvals and the completion of commercial procedures and tenders for construction."

This project would mobilize up to 1,200 people during construction "and could generate" at least fifty direct jobs, which should add about 150 jobs indirectly "in the operating phase out the two groups. The Industry Minister Christian Estrosi had rightly warned that the Dunkirk refinery would reopen if there was "no real alternative project" to maintaining employment.

But this news should not necessarily good news for employees. The CGT and Sud believe that this project is too distant and "inadequate" to compensate for job losses.For 12 hours, the employees of Dunkirk appear before a seat of Total Defense.

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"VIDEO – Estrosi advocated" industrial patriotism "in France

Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Anne-Marie Idrac, will announce Friday morning trade figures in 2009. France's 5th largest exporter, has eroded market share at the expense of its competitors.

LE FIGARO .- What is the balance of French foreign trade in 2009?

Anne-Marie IDRAC .- 2009 was a year encouraging, marked by a significant reduction in trade deficit due to the strong decrease of the energy bill free credit report . But beyond that figure, the major point is that France has held its largest export in a context of crisis. The world demand in our country has decreased by 13% by volume, and our exports have declined in this order of magnitude.But this movement has been marked elsewhere and, unlike Germany or Italy, France has managed to retain its market share vis-?-vis OECD countries, accounting for 6.6% exports.

"Venezuela: a devaluation at high risk

The devaluation of the Venezuelan currency, announced January 8, will have an impact of around 40 million euros on profit before tax and non recurring items of the group in 2009 and approximately 15 million euros on profit current net after-tax, said Accor in a statement. Despite this impact, the Group maintains its objective of profit before tax and non recurring items of between 400 and 450 million euros for 2009. Accor is present mainly in Venezuela through its prepaid service activities (luncheon vouchers, preloaded maps, gift certificates).

Venezuela on Friday announced the devaluation of the bolivar. The currency, whose exchange rate was 2.15 to one U.S. dollar, now trades at 4.30 to the dollar.

Last October, the fourth global hotel group confirmed its financial targets in 2009 but expressed cautious for the year 2010.

Accor will publish its turnover in 2009 January 19 next.

The Accor share price closed Monday down 0.63% to 37.59 euros while the CAC 40 lost 0.05% to 4043.09 points.

Now that the reform of business tax is completed, the government will tackle, in January, a new project: the revision of rental values. These rental values are "administered" price of a home or business premises, prices of base used to calculate local taxes. Since they have not been revised since 1970, today they are disconnected from reality. Result: an inhabitant of a building of faded 1960s pay for the same area, more housing tax or property tax that a household living in an old building, dilapidated forty years ago but now renovated. An updating of rental values would end these inequities. But the losers – typically, the people of downtown – could see their local taxes rise by 50%!

Companies are not immune to these distortions."In our barometer for the property tax offices in Boulogne-Billancourt is a city that offers the tax rate the lowest among major cities (except Paris). But it appears 35th on the total cost of fees per square meter, due to higher rental values, "explains Pascal Martinet, director of tax audits of Alma Consulting Group, a consulting firm.

Revision of rental values, however, looks less sensitive to process for companies, because these do not vote. Precisely, the Budget Ministry, Eric Woerth, in charge of this matter, decided to tackle the reform starting with the company. "The dated nature of the bases is more strongly for local business," says his entourage.But the idea is mainly to see what happens revision bases for some 4 million of commercial premises, before launching a big bang about 32 million homes inhabited by the French.

Involve local and parliamentary

Gilles Carrez, the UMP rapporteur of the Committee on Finance of the Assembly, calls for a long time for this method in two stages. In contrast, Jean Arthuis, the centrist chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate, was opposed: "If the rental values no longer follow the same rules must be applied to property tax rates for different individuals and companies." At Bercy, we judge that this is not a problem.

Specifically, the Budget Ministry has put in place by January of working groups composed of members of associations of local elected officials, parliamentarians and government officials. "We did not set deadlines for completion.Everything depends on the speed of the consultation. We have no preconceived ideas on how to use ", said the entourage of Eric Woerth. In fact, the options are many. The leasehold basis can be stowed on the market value or remain an administrative prices set by the Treasury. The revision of bases may occur at the same date for all buildings in France or locally, by local, when a sale. Another option: the mayors may have liberty to set the timing of revision.

Finally, the impact of revisions will probably be spread over time to smooth the impact to taxpayers.

"Taxes geometry varies

"Rents: new coverage for owners

After several weeks of reflection, the verdict has finally fallen on the new method of fixing gas prices. The Ministry of Economy, which was to maneuver, just send the document to refer to the Regulatory Commission of Energy (CRE), for entry under the next year, after the publication of a decree .

The government, which ruled until then every three months on possible changes in gas prices, trying to remove a little of the game, at least in appearance. It will no longer once per year, one component of overall framing of the price curve of the molecule. This scheme seeks to prevent the State to meet in full psychodrama whenever Bercy opts for a rise in gas prices.

So now the company, GDF Suez, which will seize the regulator for a rate increase.Which regulator, after watching whether the incumbent's request is consistent with the pricing formula, make a binding opinion. Until now, the opinion of the CRE in the record setting gas prices was only advisory. In the new scheme, the Commission will therefore pose a greater weight.

However, uncertainties remain. In particular, what happens if gas prices are indexed on oil prices should fall? In the reference document, it is not called GDF Suez to decide in what direction. Similarly, it does not ask the regulator to pressure the company to obtain a reduction in charges.

"Let's just common sense: since oil prices are public, they bend permanently, GDF Suez will be forced to seek lower fares.Or the group will draw the wrath of both consumers and government, "says an industry expert.

Psychodrama

So much for the new scheme, at least in theory, developed by the government with the approval of other partners, beginning with GDF Suez. It remains now to see how it will apply in practice. It is hard, in fact, the government remain inactive in the face several repeated hikes in gas prices. Especially during elections, where the energy bill is regularly found in the heart of debates.

In short, despite government efforts, it is feared that this new device does not put an end to psychodramas on gas prices.

The Supreme Court has sentenced in mid-November the ISP Free, a subsidiary of Iliad, to pay 2,500 euros to one of his subscribers who had complained in 2004 unable to receive television has yet endorsed a bid Triple Play (offers TV / Telephone / Internet) in the latter.

The customer had initially attacked Free before a judge near Orleans, demanding repayment of sums paid as damages. The verdict delivered on 1 July 2008 had gone in the direction of the operator who spoke of the technical problems he had informed his client at the outset of his subscription.The judge had chosen and the "obligation of means" and not "result" to make its ruling.

"The obligation of result" reached by the Court of Cassation

The Court of Cassation found instead that Free was indeed subject to an obligation of result vis-?-vis his client to provide the service for which he had paid, and only one case of "force majeure" would could relieve the operator and justify the breach of his contractual obligation that the technical incidents are not mentioned.

Such a ruling could set a precedent.That case, in addition to its symbolic of the victory of a "simple" client on a company such as Free, has serious consequences for the entire sector, as it will force all providers to verify that TV services are actually available before offering them to their future customers, under penalty of prosecution.

Without recourse, the operator has been convicted yet declined comment.