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EU leaders welcomed the pledges made rigorous by Silvio Berlusconi. But in Brussels, we expect that the Italian promises with deeds. The Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi at the European Summit of October 23, 2011

The commitments offered by Italy Wednesday to clean up its finances were judged "satisfactory" with its partners in the euro area, provided they are implemented, but this success was overshadowed by a controversy with Germany. "The EU summit welcomed the commitment of Italy. These ambitious measures to liberalize the economy must be applied," said the President of the European Union Herman Van Rompuy, after a summit of the area euro in Brussels.

"Yes we are happy," confirmed the Head of French State Nicolas Sarkozy during his press conference. "But we expect their achievement," he warned.Silvio Berlusconi has assured of his intention to run. "If we do not respect our commitments, we will no longer credible," he admitted leaving the summit. He promised to present a timetable for the adoption of the measures announced by the Italian Parliament. The head of the Italian government has incurred the wrath of Chancellor Angela Merkel ensuring obtaining apologized for his behavior at the EU summit last Sunday, what curtly denied the spokesman of the Chancellor.

"There was no excuse because there were no grounds to apologize," said Steffen Seibert on his twitter account. When asked about confidence in Silvio Berlusconi, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkorzy had exchanged amused smiles before answering. The film of this scene of 19 seconds was repeatedly broadcast in the media and Italian Silvio Berlusconi had felt humiliated.The conclusions of the detail a series of measures to be implemented in two years to reduce the huge debt of 1,900 billion euros, or 120% of GDP currently to an amount representing 113% of GDP in 2014.

The Italian leader is now under surveillance by the European Union. The Commission is invited "to monitor in detail the measures and monitor their implementation," said Merkel, adding that Rome had committed to provide "all information in detail." A balanced budget will be achieved in 2013 due to austerity measures totaling 60 billion euros by 2014. Italy has pledged to outline a plan to revive growth by 15 November.The retirement age as part of "old age" will be raised to 67 years from 2026 and a plan for disposal of public assets for at least five billion per year will be conducted over three years.

The growth plan aims to liberalize the Italian economy by opening markets to competition and to support business and innovation through tax deductions. The labor market will be reformed including "new rules of dismissals for economic reasons in the employment contracts of indefinite duration." All these commitments are recorded in the summit conclusions.The head of the Italian Government had been put up against the wall Sunday by its European partners, which required firm commitments on reform and a clear timetable for implementation in order to reassure the markets and to ensure that Italy is the next victim of the debt crisis, which would jeopardize the entire euro area.

The Greeks were again gathered in their thousands on Thursday to protest against government austerity measures. Overflows have marred the parades and a man died of heart attack. Demonstration in Greece, Athens, Syntagma Square, October 19, 2011.

The mass protests against new austerity measures continued Thursday in Greece for the second day, weakening the government of Socialist George Papandreou at the approach of a summit "crucial" in Brussels Sunday for the country and the euro area.

In Athens, more than 50,000 people participated in the movement, against 70,000 on Wednesday. Throughout the day, the unit staff, private sector employees prevailed. Thus Vanguélis Bouldadakis, in a public hospital doctor put forward "the destruction of the collective agreements" that "reduce our salaries" and "take our rights."The center of Athens was again sealed off to traffic, Parliament surrounded by dozens of vans of riot police and thousands of police.

Clashes marred the protest near the parliament. Fighting hand to hand and shots of lumber and iron protesters opposed to law enforcement. The latter, usually very active in the protests in Greece, had retired to the adjacent streets, sending only a few grenades and tear gas to try to disperse the crowd preventively.

A few sporadic incidents continued in the early evening around the Parliament and even in the tourist district of Monastiraki.Mobile groups of several dozen young people were harassing the police were carrying out acts of vandalism, burning trash, throwing molotov and stoning shop windows and street furniture.

Central to the dispute: a bill to be voted in Parliament to reduce the deficit abyss of the country and it avoid bankruptcy. Its adoption would freeze collective agreements and lead to a sudden drop in living standards of the Greeks, especially civil servants

These events have caused the death of a man. This woman had been transferred to hospital after violent incidents, died of a heart attack, said the hospital management. He "did no injury," Contrary to the media said, the hospital said in a statement. Justice has opened an investigation and sent an attorney for prosecution.The media for their part said that Mason had been hit by stones in the head on the sidelines of violent clashes between protesters and a group of communist troublemakers. The announcement of the death had raised strong emotions in Parliament, where MPs were to adopt in the evening a new law rigorously.

The deterioration of the Spanish note and doubts about the French note resurface critics are against the rating agencies. Decryption in four points. Moody's in New York.

Rating agencies are again talking about them. After the decision by Moody's to consider placing the French note on negative watch, the issue of their decision-making arises. Back to agencies in four points.

How Does it take decisions?

This is the work of two people in the agency, "managing director" and the analyst in the country studied. They bring together a panel of several analysts (5 to 12 people), and a majority vote following a debate on the prospects of the country. The evaluation criteria focus on four principles. First results with the economic analysis of per capita GDP.Then they evaluate the level of indebtedness of the country with the analysis of public debt relative to national wealth. Third criterion, political strength of a country, a test that was particularly important when Standard and Poor's downgraded the United States in battle between Democrats and Republicans. Finally the agency is studying the history of default of the country. "Their decision is not from a macroeconomic model as is the case for the projections of the ministries or central banks. This is more of a qualitative opinion.Countries are alerted to the decision a few hours before it was released, "said Bertrand du Marais of the University of Nanterre on Slate.

Read: Why France must not lose its triple A

France, she deserves to be degraded?

Moody's decision to consider the placement of the note falls under supervision of course, not abuse. The situation of public accounts in France is worrying. With debt levels at 1.692 trillion euros (86.2% of GDP), Paris is – the 17 countries rated AAA by Moody's – one of the states with the most fragile public finances. The United States, degraded this summer by Standard and Poor's are worse (100%) but investors remain attracted by the U.S. debt. Furthermore, the primary deficit of France off the debt burden reached 3% of GDP, far more than its neighbors triple A rated, the Netherlands (1.6%) and Austria (0.5%).It is these figures that the agency emphasized. Moody's said the financial strength has "weakened (…) because the economic and financial crisis worldwide has led to a deterioration in its debt ratios that are among the most vulnerable countries rated AAA." That said, nothing to panic about the likely reduction of the note according to Alexandre Delaigue, an economics professor at Saint-Cyr and co-author of the blog econoclaste. "Overall, the consequences (a degradation) would be minimal because in fact the creditors have already as if France had already lost its best."

Also read: What I really want the rating agencies

And also: Credit rating agencies for Dummies

Why do we critique always agencies?

For several reasons. First, because they have made many mistakes in the past.After controversy over the rating of companies, including Enron, they were accused of having had a major responsibility in the crisis of suprime, giving the maximum for certain financial products that eventually led to the financial crisis. Moreover, they were criticized for their lack of transparency about the products noted. A former employee of Moody's recently revealed that some banks had withheld information to be rated by these agencies.

Today's critics include on Moody's. The agency would degrade too quickly some states. "Moody's has totally missed the Greek crisis and the subprime crisis. We realize that with Italy and Spain it is trying to change this image agency late. But it is clear that it is too brutal "said Norbert Gaillard, author of" rating agencies ".

How to reform?

Europe has raised the idea of ​​creating a European rating agency. The goal is to break the virtual monopoly of the three agencies, Standard and Poor's, Moody's and Fitch. But it would not address the accusations of bias, is Gunther Capelle-Blancard, professor at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Deputy Director of CEPII. "The doubts about its independence would be very strong. The proof now European leaders are trying to put pressure on agencies that do not have the figures for Greece in such a negative." Norbert Gaillart advocates for its intervention by the European Central Bank. "The ECB should be the sovereign rating. It would do this based on his notes to her and this would allow it to be more independent rating agencies."

Read also: The European rating agency, such a good idea?

Moody's is given three months to determine whether his perspective "stable" on "AAA" tricolor is still justified. The rating agency said that financire the financial strength of the French government has weakened. The Minister of Economy and Finance Baroin presented Wednesday, September 28 in Council ministresle of the state budget for 2012.

The rating agency Moody's Investors Service gave the first Monday penknife to the sacrosanct "AAA" rating of France, announcing that it gave three months to determine whether his perspective "stable" was still justified in view of the deteriorating economic situation."Over the next three months, Moody's will monitor and evaluate the stable outlook (the note of the country) in the light of progress made by the government to implement" the measures announced to reduce the budget deficit, said the agency rating in a statement.

France has currently the highest rating possible from Moody's (a "Aaa"), as from its main rival Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings. This high rating allows it to borrow on the markets in very favorable terms to finance its budget deficits. If the prospect of this note should be revised to "negative", this would imply that Moody's would likely reduce the medium-term (usually for a term of three to twelve months).And France would become the new big country, after the United States to lose the precious talisman financially.

The agency is careful to note that this review is part of its annual study on the accounts of France and that it is not – at this stage – a decision on the note country. But it is the first of three major rating agencies and to cast a shadow on the "Aaa" French. Last week, Moody's had yet to confirm the strength of the French note, after the announcement of the restructuring of the bank Dexia.

Keeping the promise of deficit reduction

In addition to the ability of the French government to meet its budget commitments, Moody's says it will consider in its deliberations "new negative developments in the economy or financial markets."In its statement, Moody's notes that the financial strength of the French government, although still very high, "has weakened, as is the case for other countries in the euro area, as the economic and financial crisis in the world has led to a deterioration in its debt ratios, which are now among the lowest rated countries Aaa + + ".

For Moody's, so it is "crucial" for France to maintain "investor confidence in its ability and willingness to deal with unforeseen challenges."Or "France could face a number of challenges in the coming months – such as the need for additional support to other European countries or its own banking system, which could increase so significant commitments that must support the country's budget, "said Moody's.

"The deterioration of debt ratios and the ability to see new potential liabilities are putting pressure on the prospect of stable rating Aaa + + of the country," said the agency. For Moody's, the French government now less room for maneuver in 2008 (…) "during the crisis of" subprime "." The continued commitment to implement economic reform measures and budgetary and visible progress in the goals "for reducing debt" will be important for maintaining the stable outlook "of the note of the country, the agency warns.

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.

Lafarge announced on Wednesday the sale to the Australian Boral its stake in their joint venture equally in the plaster in Asia worth 429 million euros as part of its debt.

The world cement continues its withdrawal from the plaster, the smallest of its three businesses, in February after setting an ambitious target of over two billion euros of debt, half by reducing the dividend, and for other by a decline in investment and new divestitures.

Final completion of the sale of its share of Lafarge Boral Gypsum Asia (LBGA) expected before the end of the year, Lafarge said in a statement.

The price of EUR 429 million represents the value from Lafarge LBGA.Excluding debt and minority interests, the price stood at 380 million euros.

Founded in 2000, LBGA conducted last year in sales attributable to the group of 181 million euros and EBITDA of 31 million.

Lafarge had already announced July 22 the sale of its gypsum in Australia in its German competitor Knauf for a net worth of 120 million euros, ten days after entering into exclusive negotiations with the Belgian Etex plaster to give up his European and South America, for a net amount of 850 million euros.

With these assignments, which follow the cement and concrete assets in the United States announced in May, Lafarge will far exceed the target of disinvestment of 750 million euros it has set for 2011.

The group's debt, inherited largely from the acquisition of the Egyptian Orascom in 2008 reached 14.3 billion euros at the end of June.

Moody's announced on August 5 lower the debt rating of Lafarge Cement in the speculative grade, five months after a similar decision by the Standard & Poor's.

Paris and other European stock markets have violently turned down by mid-afternoon after the surprise announcement of a slowdown in manufacturing activity in the United States in July.

Relieved in the morning by the Agreement on raising the ceiling of the debt of the United States intervened in extremis Sunday, equity markets find their fears about sovereign debt in favor of reports that Cyprus is a member of the euro area, could appeal to the European aid scheme like Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

Around 17:00, the CAC 40 index lost 1.81% to 3604.86 points after going under 3,600 points and touched a low of 11 months at 3590.11 points.Since the beginning of the CAC 40 lost 5.44%.

London lost 0.25%, 1.78% Frankfurt. Of the European indices, the EuroStoxx 50 loose 1.99% and 0.71% Eurofirst 300. Milan fall of 2.9% Madrid 2.5%.

On Wall Street, indexes have also turned down after the ISM manufacturing index, as they had opened with a gain of about 1%, reflecting investor relief after the compromise reached on U.S. debt.

"The ISM manufacturing index shows that there is no sign of recovery in the U.S.," said James Knightley, economist at ING Financial Markets.He believes that the decline in the employment component of the index does not bode well for a monthly report on employment on Friday.

The same causes produce the same effects, the increase in risk aversion has favored states' obligations rated in the euro area, which were down in the morning.The performance of the 10-year German Bund, the euro area refer Germany, which was above 2.6% in the morning, fell to 2.48%.

The financial market vectors, contribute significantly to the decline in Paris, as the two heavyweights of the index, Total (-1.79%).

BNP Paribas 1.91% and

Societe Generale 3.57%.

Veolia Environnement (-4.87%) remains the largest decrease in the CAC 40, continuing to bear the brunt of its warning on its results after Friday down 9.5%. Oddo Securities and Goldman Sachs lowered Monday particular their recommendations and price targets on the title. and

The euro declined and traded around 1.4237 dollars against 1.4382 dollars in early trading.

Veolia Environnement announced Friday that it would implement new measures for restructuring, conduct a redeployment of its activities and asset sales, which led him to abandon his goals.

The world leader in environmental services said in a statement that such measures would cause it to recognize in its accounts at June 30, asset impairments and provisions for a total amount that should be about 800 million euros.

The new measures announced Friday are dictated by the "latest developments in operations in southern Europe, particularly Italy and North Africa and the United States, particularly in a specific activity of cleanliness," said Veolia, without wanting to give further details.

The group added that for 2011, it will not achieve its growth target of net profit and he expects a recurring operating income excluding Veolia Transdev slightly lower at constant exchange rates compared to the recurring operating income published in 2010.

Previously, Veolia was a growth in recurring operating income by 4% to 8%, excluding merger with Transdev in transport.

The objectives of organic growth of activity, reduce the cost of 250 million euros on sales of 1.3 billion and free cash flow positive after dividend payments, however, are confirmed.

Veolia, which has particularly suffered from lower volumes of waste treated during the crisis, announced that he "will detail the steps to refocus and improve profitability" in the publication of the interim, on August 4.

It also indicates that the amount of sales and partnerships made during the first half exceeds one billion euros and releases capital gains above 400 million for discontinued operations.

The European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) provide for Greece, Ireland and Portugal the lowest rate loans for periods at least double, according to draft conclusions of the Summit of Heads of State and Government the euro area held Thursday in Brussels.

According to the document that Reuters was able to consult, the maturity of the loans will be extended from 7.5 years at least fifteen years, while interest rates will be lowered to about 3.5%, against around 4 , 5% today in the case of Greece and Portugal.

"We will provide loans to EFSF interest rates equivalent to those of the ease of using the balance of payments (currently approximately 3.5%) without falling below the cost of financing the EFSF" can we read in the project.

"This will be accompanied by a mechanism that will ensure appropriate incentives for the implementation of the program, including if necessary through collateral arrangements," the document, responding to requests by Finland on collateral to make for new credits.

The EFSF will also be allowed to provide preventive lines of credit to any country in the euro area, including those that are not subject to an assistance program of the European Union or the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The paper added that discussions with the private sector participation in the second bailout of Greece is continuing and that all options are considered in the study.

"The financial sector has shown its willingness to support Greece on a voluntary basis through a list of options (exchange of debt rollover and redemption) on terms comparable to the support of public debt with the guarantee associated with higher credit "reads the project.

The EFSF was established in June 2010 to ensure the soundness of the single currency by giving states troubled loans guaranteed by member countries of the euro area.

PPR announced Monday the launch of a capital increase reserved for Group Sowind after which it will become the majority shareholder of the company with 50.1% of the capital.

Sowind Group, one of the few independent Swiss watch manufacturers with a presence in 60 countries including the brands Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard.

PPR, which already held 23% stake in the company did not specify the amount of the transaction.

"This allows the Luxury Goods division of PPR to strengthen the segment of the luxury watch while supporting the international development of Sowind Group," said the French group in a statement.

PPR CEO François-Henri Pinault, became president of Sowind Group alongside Mailander Monica Macaluso, vice president.