Hot Economic News Releases

ABN Amro, nationalized by the Netherlands at the height of the crisis, said Thursday that most of the charges related to the integration of Fortis Bank Nederland was behind her while reporting a half year loss of nearly one billion euros.

The bank warned in May it expected to massive losses for the first half of the year due to a very high volume of loads.

It launched in June a new warning, explaining that its losses would be higher still, because of additional charges that Fortis would go for legal reasons.

On Thursday, the number one Dutch asset management and retail banking from third countries, has not yielded much information on the reasons for these provisions, but said they were "connected with international activities conducted in the past. "

The state has spent more than 26 billion euros to buy ABN Amro and support, making this rescue one of the most expensive in the world.Its managing director Gerrit Zalm said it was unlikely that the taxpayer comes one day even.

The owner of the bank said on Thursday he expected that the integration of schools is finalized by the end of 2012 and the government should find a way out for the group between 2013 and 2015.

The CFO Jan van Rutte meanwhile estimated that the costs of integration were mostly gone.The operation, however, should lead the bank to pass a new charge of 400 million euros in the second half.

Current profit stood at 325 million euros during the first half, partly due to higher net income from interest, while the impairment of assets decreased by more than half.

ABN Amro, however, reported a net loss of 968 million euros, including a charge of integration of 481 million euros and 812 million loss on assets sold to Deutsche Bank under any injunctions European competition authorities.

She also had to spend 265 million euros in additional legal expenses.

The Paris Bourse continued its consolidation Wednesday despite a series of good results of the CAC 40 falling in the wake of Wall Street reacted negatively to the latest figures on the eve of consumption and the U.S. real estate.

At 9:28, the CAC 40 index shows a decline of 0.38% to 3733.14 points after losing 0.12% on Tuesday.

Investors will pay attention this afternoon at the United States publication of the ADP employment survey and the ISM services.

EDF wins 4.1%, highest increase in the ACC after the announcement of an increase in electricity tariffs from 15 August.These price increases are in the top end of market expectations.

Societe Generale, which opened up 3%, gaining 0.8% after posting better than expected results for the second quarter with a decline in its provisions and a stronger than expected growth in revenues.

Nexity yields 2.3%, largest drop in the SRD. Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, has announced a zero-interest loan to replace the enhanced tax credit on the loan interest.

Other major European markets are also down: London and Frankfurt lost 0.8% 0.52%.As for the European indices, the EuroStoxx 50 yields 0.62% and 0.67% Eurofirst 300.

The euro is stronger after a break of recent days and is trading around 1.3205 dollars, as U.S. crude, which trades at 82.16 dollars a barrel.

Procter & Gamble announces earnings below expectations during the fourth quarter, sales growth could not offset higher marketing expenses.

The group of consumer products said that investments in new products launched this year – Pampers Dry Max, ProGlide Fusion razor and tooth whitening strips Crest 3D White outpaced growth of 5% of turnover 'net sales.

"Next year will be another great year of innovation for us and we will invest accordingly," said CFO Jon Moeller, during a teleconference with the press.

Net income for the quarter ended June 30 was $ 2.19 billion, or 71 cents per share, against 2.47 billion (80 cents) a year earlier.The Thomson Reuters consensus I / B / E / S gave an EPS of 73 cents.

The turnover stood at 18.93 billion dollars (19.1 billion consensus).

P & G expects earnings per share of 97 cents to $ 1.01 in the first quarter of the year, and an organic growth of 3% to 5%.

Effects of unfavorable exchange rates would reduce net revenue growth of 3%.

Analysts are waiting for their share of $ 1.04 a share, in the first quarter.

The share lost 5.3% to 59.77 dollars in pre-market after these announcements.

Weak retail sales in France since the beginning of the year raises concerns for household consumption, but without calling into question the prospect of a mild acceleration of growth in the second quarter.

INSEE said on Friday down 1.4% of household spending on manufactured goods in June after an increase (revised) 0.6% in May, which was only the second of the year.

Throughout the second quarter, they fell 0.9% after falling 1.9% in January-March.

Purchases of manufactured goods only represent about a fifth of consumer spending on goods and services, including food, a statistic that is much less volatile and released only on a quarterly basis.

Household consumption has stagnated in the first quarter and is still waiting INSEE stalled in second quarter net sales to be known on August 13 during the initial results of the national accounts.

Some economists, like Dominique Barbet from BNP Paribas, now does not preclude a decline in household consumption, which would be a first since the second quarter of 2008.

But, he says, the strength of industrial production and exports expected to "save" the growth in the second quarter, it expects to 0.4% or 0.5% after the meager 0.1% the first three months of the year.

"That said, the outlook is still quite weak and not with this level of consumption we can expect 1.5 to 2.0% growth per year," he adds.

Bercy, it remains serene by estimating it would take a 0.3% or more of household consumption to speak stall."Nothing like on the radar", make sure there in the entourage of the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde.

CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE

Regarding industrial production, it was not until August 10 to hear the numbers of the second quarter, but May's increase (+1.7% and +0.5% for the only manufacturing) was a good omen.

Already, the quarterly business survey released Friday by INSEE showed that the request to industry has made significant progress on these three months, but prospects are less favorable then.

"We had a sort of dichotomy between demand indicators that are not extraordinary, except perhaps for export, and offer those who are supported, as shown by surveys from INSEE" observes Dominique Barbet

He added: "The concern is more for the future."

Nick Kojucharov, Europe economist at Goldman Sachs, the link between low spending on manufactured goods and consumer confidence, which has faltered significantly since the beginning of the year.

"That does not mean that the recovery derailed in France – surveys and industrial production are trending up – but that French consumers, who strongly supported the request at the beginning of the recovery, now is the key" says he.

Down nine points since January, the consumer confidence indicator calculated by INSEE has stabilized at -39 in July, its lowest level since May 2009.

The decline in household spending in June is in large part to the launch late summer sales, June 30 instead of June 25 in 2009.

This contemplates an upward correction in July, but only temporarily according to economists.And anyway, "the fact that consumers have stopped buying clothes from three months to wait for the summer sales is not really what we might call a positive signal to private consumption, observes Olivier Gasnier of Societe Generale.

The high level of unemployment, worries about tax and the evolution of the purchasing power of households should continue to curb consumption, he adds.

If the support of replenishment orders and exports fades at the same time, the prospect of slower growth in the third quarter will be inevitable, confirming the slow recovery.

In its last forecast in June, Insee expecting 0.4% growth in the third and fourth quarter, after +0.5% in April-June, a pace sufficient to meet the government target of 1.4% on year.

The oil has closed lower Wednesday on the physical market in New York after the publication of the minutes of the last meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Federal Reserve.

The text of the Fed shows that its members say they have to be ready to take further measures to support the economy if the climate deteriorates.

The contract on August U.S. light crude ended on a down 11 cents, or 0.14%, to 77.04 dollars a barrel.

U.S. stocks finished higher on Thursday for the third consecutive session after the publication of employment data found reassuring.

The Dow Jones gained 1.2% or 120.71 points to 10,138.99 points, while the Standard & Poor's 500 took 9.98 or 0.94% points to 1070.25 points.

The Nasdaq Composite Index has advanced by 0.74% or 15.93 points to 2175.40 points.

The weekly claims for unemployment benefits fell 21,000 last week to the United States, more than expected, which has momentarily quieted concerns about a possible slowdown in U.S. economy.

Prices were also supported by the major U.S. retail chains that have posted good sales in the month of June JC Penney Co. and Abercrombie & Fitch were awarded 6.7% to 23.24% and 7.75 dollars to 35.45 dollars.

Costco Wholesale has gained 2.62% to 55.71 dollars. The number one warehouse stores reported an increase of 4% of its turnover store, which has been slightly below market expectations.

Side decreases, the values of semiconductors have been some profit taking.

"It is a context of nervousness.The investors are not eager to jump feet first into the market, "said Scott Marcouiller specialist at Wells Fargo shares Advisors in St. Louis.

Micron Technology has come a decline of 2.3% to $ 8.69. Index PHLX Semiconductor sold 0.1% after gaining over 5% Wednesday.

Apple has sold 0.2% to $ 258.09 and Intel 0.2% to 258.09 dollars also.

National Australia Bank is expected to introduce in the space of one week a new proposal to the Australian competition authorities on its bid of 11.5 billion dollars (9.13 billion euros) over the asset manager AXA Asia Pacific , a subsidiary of AXA, say three sources familiar with the matter.

NAB, which attempts to revive the business after losing the first time in April by the Australian Competition Commission (ACCC) would seek a further extension of its exclusivity few weeks from Axa to finalize its offer, added the sources.

The exclusive agreement between NAB and Axa expires July 15 and, in the opinion of the sources, Axa will extend it to allow time for competition authorities to assess the new proposal.

NAB and AXA AP have declined comment.

The ACCC had estimated in April that a merger between NAB and AXA would significantly reduce competition in the market for retail investment platforms.

To satisfy the commission, NAB may sell retail platforms AXA AP, North, for example.According to sources, discussions are underway on this with the fund manager IOOF Australia.

The Director General NAB Cameron Clyne said Wednesday shareholders that "NAB continues to evaluate its options for the approval of the ACCC's proposed purchase of subsidiaries in Australia and New Zealand AXA Asia Pacific" .

The opportunities are scarce for AXA, to the extent that the manager Australian PMI is also in the running but a recent decline in its share has reduced his ability to effectively make a competing offer, which it has yet received approval from the ACCC .

The Belgian bank insurer KBC sold its derivatives in Asia for about $ one billion, as part of restructuring promised in exchange for public assistance received during the crisis.

The buyer of Global Convertible Bond and Asian Equity Derivatives is Daiwa Capital Markets, the investment banking arm of Daiwa Securities of Japan.

The transaction will result in a strengthening of the capital of KBC and an increase of ten basis points from its Tier One ratio of liabilities to equity reported "hard".

The group, which received seven billion euros in state aid during the crisis, has agreed, in agreement with the European Commission to reduce its risky assets of 39 billion euros between 2008 and 2013, mainly by reducing its activities on financial markets and corporate lending internationally.

For its part, Daiwa seeks to develop its activities in Asia to take advantage of growth in the region after reducing its alliance in investment banking business with the Japanese bank Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.

KBC also said Monday it had sold to the Australian insurer QBE Insurance Secura its reinsurance subsidiary based in Brussels for 267 million euros.

QBE has made over 75 acquisitions over the last ten years to be present in 47 countries.

In May, KBC has raised 1.35 billion euros by selling its private banking arm KBL European Private Bankers to the Indian company Hinduja Group.

KBC closed the business in Japan in March. Analysts, traders and sellers of office of KBC in Tokyo have been committed by BNP Paribas.

Areva announced an additional provision of around 400 million euros for the Finnish EPR OL3 because of new construction delays.

The Finnish power company TVO said in early June that the new-generation nuclear reactor would begin producing electricity until early 2013, is almost three and a half years later than originally planned.

Areva had recorded 2.3 billion euros of provisions before it announced Wednesday.The group's president and CEO Anne Lauvergeon had publicly described the level of "comfortable" in early March.

Because of the new provision announced Wednesday, the group said in a statement that its operating profit "should register loss in H1 2010.

The reactor Areva Finnish EPR is the first to have been initiated in Europe.

The French group has also reported that its talks with EDF on the conditions for stopping the Georges Besse enrichment plant in a Tricastin (Drôme) continued.

The dispute over the uranium enrichment plant is on the possible orders of EDF in 2011 and 2012, the last two years this site until the entry into service of the Georges Besse II site.

"Outside additional provision OL3 and potential impact of shut-down conditions of the Georges Besse plant 1, the group's operating margin should be around 4% in the first half of 2010, Areva said.

THE BACKLOG IN NET INCREASE

Net income group share the first six months of the year, however, incorporate the added value of 1.3 billion euros achieved in respect of sale of the Transmission and Distribution (T & D) tandem Alstom, Schneider and record as a "significant increase" compared to first half of 2009.

The group's backlog at June 30 for its part should reach over 43 billion euros, an increase of one billion a year and 500 million over the end of 2009, while sales of the first half will move forward "on the order of 2%" over the same period of 2009.

"For all of fiscal 2010, the Group confirms its expectation of a significant increase in backlog and revenues," said Areva.

"Operating income is expected to improve, before the provision, gains on dilution and possible impact of closure conditions of the Georges Besse 1. Finally, net income Group share up sharply compared to the fiscal 2009, particularly through the most gain on the sale of T & D. "

Folder

How to fight against indebtedness