Hot Economic News Releases

Newly appointed head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde Nicolas Sarkozy will meet Saturday to prepare for the G20 summit in Cannes. Christine Lagarde REUTERS / Benoit Tessier (FRANCE – Tags: POLITICS)

Nicolas Sarkozy Saturday at noon will receive the Executive Director of the IMF Christine Lagarde to talk about it with "the preparation of the Cannes summit of the G20 and the situation in the euro area," the Elysee Palace said Friday.

The head of the French state will fly the next day to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel poour attempt to speed up the rescue plan of the single currency.

Leaders from the eurozone continue intensive negotiations for a recapitalization of banks in the EU to address the risks of contagion from the debt crisis.

Germany has given the green light last week in the expansion of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), which is waiting for the ratification of Slovakia.

The Greek government approved on Sunday evening a plan to reduce the number of employees, matching the most controversial release of financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union (EU).

The project creates a "worklist", where 30,000 employees would be affected by the end of the year with a drop of 40% of their compensation. After a year they would be dismissed.

"Measuring worklist was unanimously approved," he told Reuters a vice minister at the meeting of the cabinet.

Axa has launched the sale of its private equity, an assignment following the withdrawal of almost general banking and insurance sector made a not very attractive for future Solvency II prudential standards.

Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday that the bank Credit Suisse had been mandated to look after the sale that occurs in the middle of financial turmoil.

"It's like any new process," said one of them, noting that the figure of one billion sterling raised in the morning by the British news channel SkyNews seemed high.

Many financial institutions are now trying to strengthen their balance sheets in order to reassure the markets and prove they can cope with the debt crisis in the euro area.

"It's not their core business or strategic asset," said one London analyst, who is likely Axa uses the proceeds from this sale to strengthen its capital rather than make acquisitions.

The impact of this withdrawal should be limited, because private equity is not an activity that consumes a lot of capital.

Management companies such as Axa Private Equity investing in unlisted companies for several years but do not with their own capital.They invest on behalf of institutional investors or wealthy families.

But even if Axa does not change his deep financial profile of the transaction, the sale could help convince its shareholders of its determination to go after refocusing.While the future of the subsidiary was never considered a major issue.

Reconquest

Axa has launched an operation in June "conquest" with its investors with the presentation of a strategic plan in 2015 whereby it has redeployed some of its capital to emerging markets and reduce its costs in mature markets.

The title Axa lost 33% since the beginning of the year, while the European sector index limit its losses to 27%.

Axa declined to comment on Friday to become its subsidiary AXA Private Equity which manages $ 28 billion in assets and was one of the most dynamic in its sector in France this year.

In particular, it acquired in May in tandem with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD & R) and the Deposit Quebec electrical engineering group Spie for 2.1 billion euros.

Axa PE also announced the acquisition in August at HSH Nordbank

the bulk of a portfolio of 620 million euros, having already completed in June the acquisition of a portfolio of Citigroup for $ 1.7 billion (1.17 billion euros) and another Barclays for 740 million dollars.

Main engine of recovery of M & A in 2011, private equity, however, shows signs of weakness in France.

The closing of the market "high yield", these high-yield bonds that fund LBOs (financial arrangements based on significant debt leverage) points to a new lean times for the sector.

Several countries opposed to the maintenance of European budgets that fund free meals for more than 13 million people. With 80% of EU funds within the associations could distribute 130 million meals in less than in 2012.

A meeting of the "last chance" is scheduled in Brussels on Tuesday to prevent a drastic reduction of a European food aid to the poor from agricultural funds. If no agreement is reached, the program will increase from 480 million euros per year to 113.5 million euros in 2012.Currently several European states form a blocking minority which opposes the continued existence of the annual budget of the European Programme of assistance to the poor (MDP) – funded by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – the result of a decision of the European Court of Justice in April.

Four charities have warned Monday in Paris that the decline of European funds allocated to the poor could cause a "tsunami food" in countries of the European Union. Les Restos du Coeur, Secours populaire, the Red Cross and the French Federation of Food Banks (FFBA) have called on ministers to "take responsibility" to find a solution quickly and avoid a "humanitarian crisis" in 2012. "We are facing a new situation (…) While there has never been more demand, there has never been so many threats on our action," said Olivier Berthe, president of the Eating Heart.With 80% of European funds and less, "the associations are likely to distribute 130 million meals in less than in 2012," said Didier Piard, head of advocacy at the Red Cross.

According to one European diplomat, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Sweden have so far opposed a transitional formula that would overcome the objections of the Court of Justice and maintain the MDP at current levels for 2012 and 2013."We have nothing against helping the needy, but this is social policy, which is the responsibility of Member States," said a diplomat from one of these states.

13 million people in need

This program, established in 1987 under the leadership of the President of the European Commission at the time, Jacques Delors, in response to the call of the founder of the "Restos du Coeur" Coluche, helps distribute through 240 charitable organizations, support of European stocks pulled the CAP to more than 13 million people. Nineteen of the 27 EU states benefit, at whose head Italy, Poland and France.

But the last two years, the inventory level was so low that the EU had to compensate for large purchases of food destined for food banks.Following a complaint from Germany, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg in April estimated that these purchases were incompatible with the CAP, requiring the Commission to bring the envelope for years to come at the existing stocks, or 113.5 million euros.

A prospect that provoked an outcry. The European Commission has finally found a way around the objections of the Court, but now faces the blocking minority. In recent days, several states in favor of maintaining the program at its current level have engaged in intense lobbying skeptical countries to try to convince at least one, and thus to shatter the blocking minority, explained diplomats.

The number of jobseekers in France rose by 36,100 in July, the largest monthly increase in two years. The trend of 2011 is back up. Since the crisis in 2008, the situation of the labor market in France is particularly depressing.

Xavier Bertrand had prepared the ground. The news is, however, the effect of a cold shower: the number of jobseekers in Class A rose by a further 1.3% in July on the rise year on year to 2.8%. A bad result that erases completely stabilize the labor market seen earlier this year. Worse, when you take a step back, the situation of the labor market in France since the crisis began in early 2008 seems particularly depressed.Review detailed figures of black unemployment.

33%: This is the increase since January 2008 the number of registered unemployed persons in categories A, B, C, that is to say job seekers must be positive acts of job search. In nearly four years, this category has swelled from just over one million people.

57%: This is the rise in unemployment for more than 50 years since January 2008. While the youth unemployment is a wound in France. But it is the elderly who have suffered most from the deterioration of the labor market and plans of downsizing in companies.

453 days: This is the average length of job seekers registered at employment center. In January 2008 it was 412 days. The long-term unemployment (more than one year of enrollment) affects 38% of registered voters, against 32% four years ago.The number of registered unemployed for over two years increased by nearly 27% over the last twelve months.

Only 21% of output for Occupation Pole of the unemployed who found a job. An extremely low which demonstrates the low dynamism of recruitment. Radiation administrative account for 10% of outputs at Pole Occupation: they jumped from just over 7% in one year.

16%: This is the decline since January 2008 the number of sustainable jobs (that is to say, longer than 6 months) received Pole Employment. The precariousness of the job market is growing again. In one year, the proposed job "casual" (lasting less than one month) rose 4.7%.

Orders for durable goods in the United States have increased significantly more than expected in July, according to official statistics issued Wednesday.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported a 4.0% increase in orders in July after a decline of 1.3% (revised from -1.9%) in June

Analysts polled by Reuters on average expected a 2.0% increase.

The strong demand for airplanes and automobiles brought the statistics. Orders for transportation equipment included jumped 14.6%, their largest increase since January.

Excluding transportation, the increase was 0.7%, while the consensus expected a decline of 0.5%, following growth of 0.6% in June (revised from 0.4%).

Excluding defense, a 4.8% increase was announced, the highest since September 2010.The consensus was 3.2% after falling 0.9% the previous month (revised from -1.6%).

The index contracts on Wall Street have erased their losses as soon as these figures and bond markets have exacerbated their losses (in Europe) or erased their gains (the U.S.).

Orders for durable goods are considered a leading indicator of manufacturing activity in the United States.

The U.S. recovery has been fueled mainly by the manufacturing activity, but the fall in equity markets has affected both business and consumer confidence.

The aviation sector has supported the durable goods orders in July with a 43.4% jump in aircraft orders, which makes you forget the 24% decline in June

Boeing said on its website had received 115 aircraft orders, against 48 the previous month.

Orders for motor vehicles rose by 11.5%, their biggest increase since January 2003. They had increased by 0.1% in June

This improvement suggests that the effects of the earthquake of March 11 in Japan on the automotive industry are beginning to dissipate.

Baroin and Valerie Pécresse have one week to make proposals to Nicolas Sarkozy to secure the goal of deficit reduction. Exec. UTIF arbitration will make its August 24. The budget minister has already announced that tax loopholes will be deleted. Baroin was appointed Minister of Finance and Econo Wednesday, June 29, 2011. He was replaced by Valerie Pécresse Budget.

Ministers Baroin (Economics) and Valérie Pécresse (Budget) will have to be Nicolas Sarkozy proposals to ensure compliance with the goals of deficit reduction that will be subject to "final decisions" on August 24, announced the Elysee Wednesday. At a meeting convened at the Elysee Palace, Sarkozy recalled that France's commitments on this issue "are intangible and will be required regardless of changing economic conditions."

Proposals requested from Mr.Baroin and Mrs. Pécresse to ensure compliance will be first reviewed by Nicolas Sarkozy and François Fillon August 17 and then the "final decisions will be made August 24" at a meeting between the four of them, the statement of the Presidency. The meeting on Wednesday, August 24 will take place after the Council of Ministers of the season, on the morning of that day.

"This will be the day of decisions, actions to achieve these objectives (public deficit, ed), regardless of the impact of global uncertainties, the announcement of the deterioration of the American note by Standard and Poor's (…) the volatility of markets, "said Baroin told reporters after the crisis meeting for which MM. Sarkozy and Fillon have interrupted their holidays.The French government has pledged to reduce its public deficit, which amounts to 5.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year to 4.6% next year, and 3% in 2013.

Speaking of the objectives of reducing public deficits, he added, "the intangible that is what set the budget for the year 2011 (…) which is fixed under the law for triennial 2012 perspective, these are the objectives of deficits that will form the matrix of measures that we will have to make. "

Valérie Pécresse has in turn announced that tax loopholes would be eliminated, reaffirming the possibility of an "extra effort" to keep the financial commitment of France, in an interview on BFM TV. "We will remove tax loopholes (…) because we will not raise taxes," said budget minister without specifying what niches were covered.Niches, she said, are "tax exemptions sometimes justified" and "can be very inefficient." "We have already pledged to remove 3 billion euros in 2012 (…), tax loopholes for perhaps he will go the extra mile," added the minister.

By the way Nicolas Sarkozy again called the gathering "beyond party lines" in order to restore the balance of public finances, the statement said. An allusion to the refusal of the PS to vote the "golden rule" which the Head of State wishes to inclusion in the Constitution. For this he needs the votes of 3/5èmes Parliament meeting in Congress.

The Paris Bourse and all European markets opened lower on Monday after the limited engagement of the ECB to "actively implement" its bond buyback program to counter the debt crisis in the eurozone.

The CAC 40 index opened down 0.76%, while the pan-European Eurofirst 300 Index yielded 1.13%.

But minutes later, the CAC 40 has returned and posted a 0.6% increase to 9:10.

Exchanges of Milan and Madrid s'adjugent more than 2% in 9:10, the market anticipation of bond purchases in Italy and Spain from the ECB.

Asian markets tumbled after lowering them Friday night in the sovereign debt rating by Standard & Poor's.

According to the founder of the Right People, this is "fight against the profiteers from the bottom and the top profiteers of the social ladder." Thierry Mariani, Minister of Transport, and founder of the Right People, right wing of the UMP, will create a file for benefit recipients.

Transport Minister Thierry Mariani said he wanted "a general file of recipients' social, in order to fight against fraud, in an interview with the Sunday Journal dated August 7.

Founder of the Right People, bringing together some forty members embodying the right of the UMP, Mr Mariani says that the group will present "a couple of proposals on sovereign issues, employment and social justice" in the future presidential campaign.

He said these include "fight against the profiteers of + down + and + top + profiteering of the social ladder.Against fraud, I support the creation of a file which lists recipients of general all benefits received. This will see the abuse. One person can affect unduly the RSA in several departments, as none of them does not cross the records, "said he.

Regarding those "from above", Mr. Mariani is in favor of the taxation of "very high financial returns," while "the difference with the contractors, who, themselves, are advancing the country. Against these abusive situations, in top and bottom, our position is balanced, "says he. The Minister also ensures that "security must be a campaign theme" but "it must be accompanied by a stronger justice."

China and Japan on Friday called for international cooperation after the fall of the markets created fears of fallout of U.S. recession and the debt crisis in the euro area.

These calls of the two major foreign creditors of the United States highlight the growing concern about a major contagion in Asia, where markets fell after the rout Thursday on Wall Street.

European shares continued to plunge at the opening Friday.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy will hold talks on Friday by telephone of the problem of markets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, according to a statement from the Elysee Palace on Thursday evening.

The French president also needs to continue discussions started Thursday with the President of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet.

The European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn, has interrupted his vacation to return to Brussels. It must take a press conference.

In Japan, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda stressed the need to address the problems of distortion on the currency markets, the debt crisis and U.S. economic issue.

"We must discuss these issues," he told reporters after the intervention of Japan to sell yen."Every problem is important but how to classify their problems as a priority to be discussed.

According to traders, Japan sold yen on Friday for the second straight day.This is to curb the rise of the currency, seen by markets as a safe haven, which hampers exports of the archipelago.

ACTION OF THE ECB NOT INCLUDED

China hopes for its part, improve coordination among world powers to deal with risks arising from debt problems in the U.S. and Europe, said its Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Yang stressed the increased risk bonds in the United States and called the world's largest economy to adopt a monetary policy "responsible" and to protect the investment dollars elsewhere.

The latest macroeconomic indicators in the U.S., very poor, and the problems of debt without end in the euro area have revived fears of recession, which has been tumbling Wall Street Thursday, recalling the dark days of financial crisis in 2009.

IHS Global Insight estimates that 40% likelihood of another recession in the United States.

The market rout has spread to Asia on Friday. The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended down 3.7% and fell to its lowest level since the fall of the earthquake in March.

Faced with falling stock markets and some bond markets, investors are investing heavily on the money.Bank of New York Mellon said drowning in deposits, which led her to seek a commission in some of its major customers.

Thursday, investors did not appreciate that the ECB has not bought the paper in Spanish and Italian as part of its bond purchase program restarted Thursday, limited to the State debt Irish and Portuguese, then same as the yield on securities Spain and Italy over 6%.

Friday at the opening performance of the debt of Spanish and Italian state amounted to nearly 6.5%.

WAITING FOR U.S. employment figures

Jean-Claude Trichet acknowledged that within the bank, was not total support for this action, thereby highlighting the divisions in Europe on how to manage the debt crisis that has forced Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek support programs.

Investors now fear that this is the tour of Italy and Spain, third and fourth largest economy in the euro zone, having to seek a rescue.

Analysts said it would double or even triple the capacity of the European financial stability, EFSF, currently at 440 billion euros to cover savings in the size of Italy or Spain.

United States, economists point out that there is little chance that Congress passes new stimulus when it was decided to reduce spending to compensate for the increase in the borrowing capacity of the country, according to the compromise Tuesday voted by Congress and promulgated by President Obama.

The Federal Reserve, which holds its next policy meeting on Tuesday, can do much more than maintaining a very low interest rates to boost growth, say economists, while its previous buyback programs have been controversial.

In addition, the biggest problem seems to be no employment and credit.In this regard, the monthly figures of employment in the United States, to be published one hour before the opening of Wall Street, are eagerly awaited. Investors expect 85,000 jobs created last month outside the agricultural sector against 18,000 in June.