Archive for the ‘corporations’ Category

19
May

The crisis in the euro area dominates the G8 Camp David

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U.S. President Barack Obama pledged on Saturday at the G8 summit at Camp David, to cooperate with Europe on a program combining the plans to reduce deficits measures to promote growth, to prevent the crisis in the euro area could destabilize the global economy.

The head of the White House and leaders of seven other industrialized countries, meeting in the presidential retreat in Maryland, the heart of the Catoctin Mountains, sought to reassure financial markets face difficulties of Spanish banks and the risk that Greece leave the euro zone. 

"We are all determined to ensure that growth and stability and fiscal consolidation, are part of a package of measures to ensure the prosperity of our citizens, we all want, "said Barack Obama during the resumption of talks on Saturday morning.

After meeting with U.S. President, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that progress had been made on how to address the debt crisis and ; rising oil prices, the two main threats to the global economy.

David Cameron said he had found among his G8 counterparts "a growing sense of urgency on action" to exit the eurozone crisis. 

"Contingency plans must be implemented to strengthen banks, improve governance and strengthen the firewall devices – all these things shall be implemented quickly in order to any eventuality, "he said.

But he added that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had "absolutely right" to demand that the countries of the euro area take the necessary steps to reduce their deficits.

On Friday, setting the tone of the summit, Obama had matched the proposed Francois Hollande supports incentives to growth facing austerity advocat ; born by German Chancellor that appeared isolated. 

"IMPERATIVE TO CREATE JOBS AND GROWTH"

The U.S. president has agreed with his French counterpart on the fact that the fight against the crisis in the euro area is "an issue of extraordinary importance, not only for Europeans but also for the global economy ".

He called for "a responsible approach that is coupled with a strong growth agenda".

Angela Merkel advocates instead a strong fiscal discipline to reduce the debt level. Its isolation is even greater than the draft final communique of the G8, seen by Reuters, plans to emphasize "the need to create growth and jobs".

"Germany is almost completely isolated," said Domenico Lombardi, former head of the International Monetary Fund. "(…) It is now clear that Greece has become a crisis systemic, "he added.

G8 leaders also discussed the Iranian nuclear Saturday.

Barack Obama said Friday that all participants remained committed to an approach combining sanctions, pressures and diplomatic talks with Tehran. 

"We are all involved here with a determination to continue the approach of sanctions and pressures combined with diplomatic discussions," he told reporters.

"And our hope is that we can address this issue in a peaceful manner that respects the sovereignty and rights of Iran within the international community, but also recognizes its responsibility s ".

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12
May

The EC expects further efforts at Madrid's deficit

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Spain will further savings this year and next if it is to achieve its ambitious goals of deficit reduction, since it will be in recession in 2012 and 2013 , according to European Commission forecasts released Friday.

The EC wrote in its economic prospects of the European Union biannual, that Spain should show a budget deficit of 6.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012 and 6.3% in 2013, unless you change the policies.

Madrid intends to reduce the deficit to 5.3% of GDP this year, against 8.5% in 2011 and, unless the finance ministers of the EU grant him more time to 3% in 2013, to save financial penalties. 

Even though the objective of the central government seems at hand, differences are expected at this stage for regional governments, the Commission explains in its report.

She added that the Spanish social security system is likely to remain in deficit this year due to the deteriorating outlook for the labor market.

The EU executive has revised sharply lower its forecast for GDP growth Spanish, now anticipating a 1.8% contraction in 2012, instead of 1.0% pre ; seen in February.

For 2012, the EC is planning a further contraction of economic activity, 0.3%, while the Spanish government is 0.2% growth. 

GROWTH FOR THE EURO AREA IN 2013

The EC believes that Spain will be the only country in the euro area to suffer a recession in 2013. She plans for the euro area as a whole increased by 1% next year, after contracting 0.3% this year.

"The recovery is in sight but the economic situation remains fragile, with still large disparities between Member States", said in a statement the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn.

The combined fiscal deficit of the euro area would decrease to 3.2% of GDP in 2012, after 4.1% in 2011, and 2.9% in 2013.

"We're seeing an adjustment of fiscal and structural imbalances created before and after the crisis began and worsened by economic sentiment remains weak," says Rehn.

"Without new decisions energetic, low growth could persist in the EU. Sound public finances are a prerequisite for sustainable growth and, from an economic governance framework and strong again, we need to support the adjustment by accelerating the stability-oriented policies , and stimulation of growth "

. STAGNATION IN GREECE IN 2013

…… Regarding .. Greece, countries that initiated the crisis of sovereign debt in the euro area and now depends on funding from the EU and the International Monetary Fund, the EC expects zero growth in 2013, after contracting 4.7% in 2012, the fifth year of recession

. The budget deficit would fall to 7.3% of GDP in 2012 after 9.1% in 2011 but, unless Greece takes further steps to further reduce the die ; deficit, it goes back to 8.4% next year. 

Portugal, which, like Greece, depends on the help of international donors, will be close to meeting its deficit targets this year and next, with a deficit of 4.7% in 2012 and 3.1% in 2013.

The Portuguese economy would suffer a contraction of 3.3% in 2012, after contracting 1.6% in 2011, then record a growth of 0.3% in 2013.

Ireland, the third countries in the euro area to take advantage of the coupled EU-IMF to grow by 0.5% in 2012, after 0.7% in 2011, and 1.9% in 2013. Its budget deficit would be reduced to 8.3% of GDP this year, after 13.1% in 2011, and 7.5% in 2013.

07
May

Industrial production down 7.5% in March in Spain

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Spanish industrial production fell by 7.5% yoy in March, down significantly stronger than expected, according to data released Monday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Economists had expected a decline of 5.4% after falling 5.3% in February (revised).

The economic difficulties of Spain, the fourth largest economy in the euro area, recent weeks have given the debt crisis on the front of the stage.

30
Apr

Michel Barnier supports a Growth Pact in Europe

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Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market, was in turn declared in favor of a pact for growth in Europe in addition to the fiscal pact adopted in late 2011, which austerity measures provoke political unrest throughout the region.

"I support what is working on an initiative for growth in addition to agreements on budgetary discipline," he says in an interview published Monday by the German newspaper Die Welt.

Such an initiative would pass, in the short term, increased by an endowment from the European Investment Bank (EIB), a more efficient use of structural funds of the European Union and bonds dedicated to finance infrastructure projects, says Michel Barnier. 

According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, the European Union is working on a growth plan to inject $ 200 billion of investments in sectors such as infrastructure, clean energy and high technology.

The idea of ​​complementing the "fiscal pact" signed last year by a panel of growth support the political debate in Europe for several weeks, many voices emphasizing the risk of austerity encourage a relapse into recession in countries weakened by the crisis. 

At the end of last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel also expressed support for capacity building of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and use more flexible infrastructure fund of the European Union to support growth.

President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi said last week that the eurozone needed a "Growth Pact".

Francois Hollande, the Socialist candidate for the French presidential election, has placed top priority in the renegotiation of the Treaty on European budgetary discipline signed in March by 25 of the 27 EU countries to include a section on "growth", an initiative criticized right. 

The German government said Friday that issues related to growth and employment in Europe would play a central role at a summit of heads of state and government in late June.

According to Michel Barnier, a further liberalization of the internal market of the European Union could support the growth over the medium term.

"In the long run, I would like the establishment of a European industrial policy in strategic areas so that we redevenions a manufacturing center and not mere consumers of Chinese and American."

27
Apr

Debt, recession, unemployment, a "huge crisis" hits Spain

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The Spanish economy, sick man of Europe, is facing a "crisis of immense proportions", a minister said Friday, while the unemployment rate reached its highest level in twenty years and that Standard & Poor's lowered the rating by two notches of the sovereign debt.

The Spanish unemployment rate, one of the highest in the world, jumped to 24% in the first quarter, its highest level since the early 1990s. Retail sales fell for their part, for the 21st consecutive month, as the country is experiencing its second recession in three years.

"The numbers are terrible for everyone and terrible for the government (…) Spain is in a crisis of immense proportions," said the Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Garcia -Margallo, during a radio interview.

The unemployment rate in Spain was 22.9% in the last quarter of 2011. Half of young people are unemployed and the numbers are unlikely to improve anytime soon, while fiscal savings of some 42 billion euros this year while undermining hope for growth for the country.

Standard & Poor's lowered the rating Thursday of the Spanish sovereign debt to "A" to "BBB +" with negative implications, citing the risk of fiscal slippages may be more important than expected.

The rating agency considers particularly likely that Madrid has to provide support to its banking sector.

Lowering S & P sovereign rating instead of Spain at the same level as that of Italy, to "adequate capacity to pay" – is a few notches away from the class speculative. From Fitch and Moody's, Spain has however always a "strong capacity to pay".

BANKS SICK

Friday morning at the Madrid Stock Exchange, banking stocks fell 3.38% while the risk premium of Spanish debt, measured by the yield spread between government bonds ; ten years, has jumped 10 basis points to 434 points.

"This is a very difficult situation. I do not think banks are trapped, but we need the government to quickly find out how they intend to do it for them, "said Gilles Moec, economist for Deutsche Bank ..

……. Spanish banks may require more public funds, said in the morning, the Secretary of State for Fernando Jimenez Latorre economy, while excluding the use of EU funds

. The Spanish government also plans to create a structure defeasance for banks' toxic real estate assets, three rounds of cleaning and consolidation of the country's financial sector was not enough to reassure investors of its soundness. 

Madrid has already come to the aid of several banks devastated by the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008 and investors feared, given the current economic contraction, a new wave of de defects credit which further weaken the country's financial sector.

The contraction of the economy also means that Spain is unlikely to achieve its fiscal targets this year despite a severe austerity.

While in Europe are increasing calls for measures to support growth, the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy reiterated its willingness to adhere to fiscal consolidation planned for the country. 

His government expects that the reforms of labor market flexibility adopted in the first quarter produce results next year. For now, many companies have primarily benefited the new rules to lay off more.

09
Apr

Sony would eliminate 10,000 jobs

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Sony will cut about 10,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global workforce, by the end of the year, the Nikkei newspaper reported, adding that these measures would affect the chemical division of electronics giant Japanese as well as manufacturer of LCD screens small and medium size.

The paper said it is difficult to say at this stage how these job cuts will be divided between Japan and the world.

The new CEO of Sony, Kazuo Hirai, was ordered to put the group on the road to profitability after four fiscal deficit. 

In early February, Sony, distanced during the last decade by more innovative competitors like Apple or the American South Korean Samsung, said he expected for the 2011-2012 year, ended March 31, at an annual loss of 220 billion yen (2.2 billion euros).

Kazuo Hirai, officially took office on April 1, replacing Howard Stringer, must be about the business plan from Sony on Thursday.

04
Apr

The investment will run at idle in France in 2012

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Barely a quarter of the companies should increase their investments in 2012, according to a study of the credit insurer Euler Hermes. They would increase the total of 0.5%. And because of that growth should be limited to 0.4% over the year.

Business investment was an engine of French growth in late 2011. And it should still contribute positively to GDP growth this year. But not enough to generate a rebound expected by the government. A study of the credit insurer Euler Hermes posted Wednesday, in fact, only a quarter of French companies plan to increase their investments in 2012. And made to depend on two spending growth prospects. And as these are faiblardes, their investment projects are too. This is the snake biting its tail …

Business investment should experience an increase shy of 0.5% annual rate in 2012, according to Euler Hermes. And growth in France would be reduced to 0.4%. Accompanied by a table yet another bad news: the quality of these investments will continue to deteriorate.

To forecast, Euler Hermes interogé 1684 companies from November to January. 25.8% said they plan to increase investment, 20.5% to 53.7% and reduced to maintain unchanged from 2011. "The wishes of investment are investments for renewal, not of development investments," said Ludovic Sénécaut, CEO of Euler Hermes, during a press conference.  

Thus, according to the study, 8.9% of these some 26% of companies ready to increase their spending account to make investments for productivity gains, 0.8% of spending on research and development. As for the increase in production capacity, it accounts for 19.1% of their spending intentions, while the renewal is 26.7%.

Most of the rest are investing in staff, told AFP chief economist of Euler Hermes, Ludovic Subran. Mr. Sénécaut notes that this situation of "low quality spending", already visible in 2011, "continues to deteriorate". Phenomenon "consistent with a French economy still facing enormous internal market and, when she goes to the international, country chooses and thus close to areas where the activity is and will remain weak for some years yet,"- he said.  

"We are very concerned about the effects of a second round of austerity measures in Italy, Spain and the UK," added Mr. Subran. Side outlets in the Hexagon, "there is still not in France of measures to fight against unemployment and unfortunately we can expect that it continues to increase in 2012," he said , holding that it is "worrisome" for consumption.

Euler Hermes also anticipates a rebound in 4% of business failures this year to 63,500, "record numbers", says Subran.

Asked about the presidential election, he felt that the campaign is the tax that could have "an effect on investment spending." "No candidate can become president without calling flat what is going on taxation in France. There is a volatility of taxes that worries companies," he said.

31
Mar

Real Estate: prices fell slightly in Paris

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The price per m2 of existing homes totaled at the end of January 8340 euros on average, 30 euros less than in October 2011. Prices in the Ile-de-France, for the same period were down 0.6%. This trend is not sustainable. Paris real estate. St. Pierre Semard, in the ninth.

Prices of existing homes fell slightly in Paris, in 8340 euros/m2 average for the period between November 2011 and January 2012 instead of 8370 euros/m2 previously announced Thursday night the Chamber of Notaries of Paris-Ile de France. There had been increasing since the second quarter 2009 (6020 euros/m2). The downward trend in prices began in late last year, is confirmed, indicate notaries in a statement.  

Moreover, the promise of sale entered recently, which presage the final price trends, highlight the value of apartments in the capital between 8100 and 8200 averaged euros/m2 end of May, confirming a trend slightly downward (-2 to -3.2%), after a sharp surge in prices which had led to an annual increase of 21.3% in late August 2011.

For the entire Ile-de-France, house prices in Ile-de-France, for the same period were down 0.6%. The largest decrease is observed in Seine-Saint-Denis (1.4%), while a decline of 0.3% in Paris proper.

The decrease in the number of transactions recorded for several months, was temporarily halted because of the reform leading to higher taxation of capital gains on property that, with effect from 1 February 2012, caused an influx of sales. Thus, from November 2011 to January 2012, 43,000 existing homes were sold, an increase of 6% over the same period 12 months earlier, and even 32% in central Paris.

After the records set last year, the Paris notaries had anticipated the end of February the prospect of a market downturn of the former in 2012 on the entire region, suggesting a decrease of 5 to 10% less a "new rebound of the financial crisis". But this break "will be sustainable only if new construction is accelerating sustainable in Ile-de-France for several years," had they warned. In the provinces, prices are expected to experience the same slope, according to forecasts by the INSEE.

30
Mar

A lower deficit facilitates the task of the next president

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The government deficit in France in 2011 was lower than expected, which will facilitate the task of the next president if the economy does not collapse.

After 5.2% of GDP last year, instead of 5.7% expected in the Finance Act, Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande, favorite polls, have pledged to re reduce the public deficit to 4.5% and 3.0% end of 2012, limit the European stability pact in late 2013.

The effort would be lower than expected.

The outgoing president praised the figure of Friday.

"France has done much better thanks to the efforts of the French," he said, renewing his promise to reach 3% in late 2013. 

But the trend was poor in January and a sharp economic slowdown is expected for all of 2012, likely to derail the accounts if it were larger.

The "good" figure of 2011 on Friday will also be confirmed by further appreciation expected on May 15

The government balance includes accounts of the state, local and social security funds. It has not been positive since 1974.

Nicolas Sarkozy promised to return to balance end of 2016 and his Socialist opponent François Hollande end of 2017.

DOUBTS IMPORTANT FOR 2012

In January, the government deficit, which is the largest component of public deficit fell by less than a billion euros over January 2010.

A negative signal, even if the accounting parameters are not identical, to the rise or fall, a positive impact of € 2.6 billion having been such registered in January through the sale of radio frequencies.

The government deficit in February will be released April 6.

Especially, strong economic growth this year, which largely determine the amount of revenue is uncertain. 

The government has just raised its growth forecast for 2012 to 0.7% against 0.5% earlier (after 1.7% in 2010), while Francois Hollande provides 0.5% .

International institutions and economists are less optimistic, the IMF providing 0.2%, 0.3% OECD and the European Commission 0.4%.

The evolution of public finances is crucial for France, already deprived of its precious AAA by Standard and Poor's and sees its sovereign rating placed on "negative outlook" by the three major rating agencies.

Borrowing costs on financial markets may increase, which would make the effort to restore data even more important. 

The yield differential ("spread") between the French public debt to 10 years and German debt is currently above 110 basis points, or 1.1%.

This level is much lower than that achieved in November, at the height of tensions on the debt in the eurozone, to nearly 200 points, but it is much higher than the observed 30 to 40 points s during "normal".

24
Mar

European shares open slightly higher

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The main European stock markets opened slightly higher on Friday after four sessions of consolidation, while the growth prospects in France were revised upwards.

In Paris, around 9:15, the CAC 40 gained 0.19% to 3,479 points. The DAX 30 is 0.3% and the FTSE ahead 0.20%. The Eurostoxx 50 is 0.22%.

Values, EADS gained 1.75%. The German government is preparing to buy 12% stake in planemaker taking over the holdings of Daimler and several private banks, it was learned Friday from the German government source.

BOLLORÉ gained 2.7% after announcing a 19% increase in operating profit.

BT gained 4.8%. The British telecoms operator plans to pay two billion pounds into its pension fund as part of a new plan more advantageous than nine years.

The French government raised its economic growth forecast for 2012 to 0.7%, against 0.5% previously, and was lowered to 1.75% for 2013, against 2.0%, said Minister of Economy Baroin.

This announcement follows the revision by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), its growth forecast to 0% in the first quarter and 0.2% in the second quarter of 2012.

Moreover, the overall business climate in France has improved significantly in March, to 95 points, an increase of 4 points, according to INSEE. 

In the U.S., the indicator of home sales in the nine will allow investors to refine their expectations of recovery in the industry and the economy in general.