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Earlier this week hesitant on Asian financial centers. On Monday, stock markets in the region without changing direction. Fears of a slowdown in economic recovery or a return to recession, still occupy the minds of investors. Especially as Wall Street and European stock markets ended the week in the red Friday. In the U.S., operators are torn between optimism for the resumption of mergers and acquisitions and the battery of macroeconomic uncertainty.

In Japan, investors have the prudence of their American counterparts. After opening down 0.10%, the Nikkei has widened its losses during the session (-0.58%) to finish on a decline of 0.68% to 9116.69 points. It is the lowest level of the year. The broader TOPIX, yielded 0.58% to 824.79 points. The vigor of the yen against the dollar is once again pointing the finger. Unsettled, exporters have sealed document.The semiconductor equipment supplier Tokyo Electron, the specialist digital cameras Canon and carmaker Honda Motor lost between 0.53% and 2.52%.

In China, stock markets are even more hesitant. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng was down 0.36% to 20,905 points while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.13% to 2645 points.

The Korean Kosdaq is at equilibrium (-0.02%), like the Indian Sensex (+0.06%) and the S & P Australia (-0.09%). In Australia, markets are disturbed by the results of parliamentary elections that failed to designate a clear winner.

Absence of major news, the market activity remains very calm. New major macroeconomic indicators are expected in mid-week in the U.S., particularly in the property sector and employment.

Oil climbs

Crude prices were up Monday in Asia on a flat market. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for October delivery gained 29 cents to 74.11 dollars, while that of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery increased by 21 cents to 74.47 dollars.

This increase ends three consecutive sessions of falling prices. But it remains fragile due to a strengthening dollar.

The CAC 40, which surpassed Monday night at the close of 3750 the bar points (3%), takes a breath of fresh air on Tuesday. At the opening, the index coward timidly 0.08% 3744.52 points. In London, the Footsie yields 0.47% to 5371.92 points.

Yesterday, the Paris Bourse has been drawn up by the bank after the better than expected quarterly BNP Paribas. The Paris market should not stop there, according to technical analysis, which brings the index to the assault of 3770 points.

The Paris Bourse is expected to remain broadly in an uptrend on the sessions to come, even if the index corrects a bit on Tuesday.

The program of the Tuesday meeting, noted that prices for industrial production for June in the eurozone will be published at 11:00.American side, the expected numbers today should facilitate the session, including spending at 14.30 and household income, and 16 hours, industrial orders in July and promises of housing sales in June

Meanwhile, the euro remains at its highest in three months against the dollar.The euro rose as optimism in Europe and at the same time, the dollar is falling while stock markets also rose overseas and the appetite for risk grows.

The eyes of Sanofi-Aventis Genzyme

Sanofi-Aventis (-0.56% to 45.15 euros) sent a letter referring to Genzyme's interest in the company, a source close to the deal, adding that the two companies were discussing the offer.

The chemicals group Arkema (4.77% to 36.65 euros, the biggest increase in score) on Tuesday said quarterly earnings improved sharply, saying it made "its best historical performance" since its IPO in 2006 . Quarterly profit was 119 million euros, against a loss of 114 million euros in the second quarter of 2009.Revenues soared 38% to 1.6 billion euros and gross operating profit (EBITDA) reached 241 million, against only 70 million a year earlier.

CNP Assurances (-1.3% to 15.9 euros) announced Monday that it bought back 65% stake in MFPPrévoyance, a subsidiary of MFP Services, a group of specialized mutual insurance officials. This stake will cost 86.5 million euros to the French insurer.

Vallourec (-1.84% to 75.78 euros, the largest decline CAC 40). Credit Suisse cut its rating to "neutral" to "underperform."

Arcelor Mittal has launched $ 2.5 billion of debt in three parts, according to IFR, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.

Yellow Pages (-1.4% to 8.48 euros). HSBC cut its rating to "overweight" to "neutral."

General Health (1.18% to 11.62 euros).The former manager of French private clinics and hospitals on Monday published a half-year revenue declined 4.7% to 1 billion euros, which also reported an increase of 8.8% in profit operating income, to 80.4 million.

In an interview with Le Figaro, Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide (-0.51% to 88.87 euros), says that the big industries have restructured and fully benefit from the recovery.

"The goal at the end of 2013 is to reduce the number of 3950, which represents half of 8400 anticipated retirements over the period, plus a bonus of 250, responded to AFP chairman Michel Régereau (CFDT) this Thursday. But later in the day, the chairman of the board of directors of the National Health Insurance has refused to sign the project.

"There was a debate within the board and it appeared that the majority (of the 35 directors, ie) was negative (the text) but there was no vote" per se, explained to the AFP Carolina Ferrera, Director CGT.

It must be said that the pill is especially bitter for the staff unions of sickness, such as primary agents of funds or regional health insurance (CPAM, CRAM), have declined steadily for several years.

From 85,000 in 2003, they returned to 75,243 in 2009, according to the draft agreement on objectives and management (COG) which AFP has obtained a copy. Like all governments, the CNAM is subject to the rule of non-replacement of a staff of two. But already, Michel Régereau announced he would vote against.This could lead, if followed by his counsel on a "blocking" quite rare in the annals of Secur. "So far, the presidents of unions secu supported the compromise reached with the government and sought to obtain a majority," he said.

"Here, we can not"

According to Michel Régereau, the Fund had estimated it had saved 850 jobs, bringing the losses in 3350. But with nearly 4,000 positions eliminated, "then we can not.""Our network of primary funds is to be a challenge (…), it will be very hard for regional banks, they will retreat to their heart business, and our strategy to improve the efficiency of the health system will be lost, "he added.

For example, the Fund wishes to develop information to health professionals, improve the conditions of discharge from hospital for patients, and developing diabetes prevention, "he listed. "To develop these programs, we need means," he said.

Dilemma for unions

"It will be a catastrophe for both the personal to the insured, warned Caroline Ferreira, director CGT, considering the demands of the government" unacceptable. ""We are dealing with a government that is deaf" and "blindly applying the rule of RGPP," the General Review of public policy, "she accused.

Remains to be seen what the outcome of the vote of the board of directors, composed of 35 members (unions, employers, mutuality, qualified individuals, patients' associations, family associations and professions). If he had voted against the COG 2010-2013, "is the state that (would) hand to the application," said Carolyn Ferrera, and could possibly refer the matter to Parliament, according to Michel Régereau.

Dilemma for voting against unions because they would lose part of their role.

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The U.S. stock market should be wary about the direction to take the opening in an atmosphere remained febrile for several major events at the macroeconomic level. The index futures are predicting a slight decrease in opening markets américains.Les future on Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 recoil effect, respectively, from 0.19% to 1108.70 points and 1884.25 points to 0.12%. On Tuesday, the NYSE has closed in a fragmented, divided between publications very positive company like Du Pont chemist, and the downturn in consumer confidence in July. At the end, the Dow Jones gained 0.12% to 10,537.77 points.The S & P 500 is broader, has lost him, 0.11%, to 1113.76 points and the Nasdaq fell 0.36% to 2288.25 points.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro was maintained in the morning to its best levels since two months around $ 1.30.

At the macroeconomic level, the U.S. central bank must now publish its Beige Book on economic conditions. It will be very guarded while the president of the institution, Bernanke said there is just one week before the Congress, the slow recovery, with no announcement of new funding in the economy.But it was the day Friday with the first estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) that will attract the attention of investors.

On the side of values, the telecom equipment maker Broadcom announced yesterday after the close of Wall Street quarterly profit of $ 278 million, against $ 13.4 million last year electronic check payday advance. Turnover was up 54% (+10% sequentially) to $ 1.6 billion.

Note also the biotechnology group Cephalon issued a quarterly profit of $ 89.1 million, well above expectations.

Always on the side of values, the Wall Street Journal, internet group Google is in talks with several video game publishers, in order to enlist their support for setting up a social networking service that would compete with Facebook .Some game publishers approached by Google Playdom be included, a publisher whose Disney announced the acquisition Tuesday, Playfish, bought last year by Electronic Arts, and Zynga, in which Google has already invested, it said.

For its part, the Microsoft IT group has criticized the partnership between Yahoo! Japan and Google, saying it would end the competition in the internet search in Japan and has questioned its "legality".

Also note, the oil company BP will have to "change the culture" after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, said its new CEO, American Bob Dudley, in an interview on ABC.

The Elysee is the only institution in the Republic to see his accounts peeled annually by an independent body, in this case the Court of Auditors. And Nicolas Sarkozy himself who requested the monitoring. Obviously, this regular audit is bearing fruit. The Court of Auditors, who presented this morning's report on fiscal year 2009, noted that the recommendations made last year have been acted upon. Thus, the cost of studies and surveys that had hit the headlines, has been reduced by 45% in 2009. Similarly, the bill for the garden party fell 30% last year.This year, the problem is solved since this event did not happen! The ECA is also pleased that an inventory of furniture and objects from the Elysee has been launched and the residences of Rambouillet, Marly-le-Roi and Souzy La Biche, not used by the president, have been transferred Authorities competent to cheap credit report.

Rest areas for improvement. The magistrates of the Rue Cambon point especially travel. Delegations are too many, especially in travel preparations. Media coverage of these trips is more expensive: 465,000 euros in 2008, 1.06 million euros in 2009. The development of a special press room for the president at the G20 Pittsburg and cost a whopping 25,000 euros! The bill for the meal trays in an aircraft is surprising: 120-160 euros per person.Moreover, the Court of Auditors estimated that the restoration at the Elysee is too expensive. On both issues, the Elysee is committed to making improvements, including reducing by 10% in three years enrollment in the restoration.

The declaration of Didier Migaud, president of the Court of Auditors, to reduce expenses in the operation of the Elysee:

"Splinter Cell Conviction," "Just Dance", "Assassin's Creed 2," "Avatar". These video games, real commercial success, Ubisoft has realized the first quarter of 2010-2011 above its own expectations. The video game publisher has announced on Monday, a turnover of 160 million euros against 145 million euros announced last May 18 at the annual results presentation. An increase of 93%.

In exchange, the news is very appreciated. The group titles are at the forefront of the SBF 120 since the opening of markets with an increase to the closing of 15.42% to 7.35 euros.

Forecast confirmed

Markets are also satisfied with the maintenance of annual targets credit report."The turnover of the second quarter of 2010-11 would be about 83 million euros, in line with the second quarter of 2009-10. The group confirms its previous comments regarding the 2010-11 biennium is the return to profitable growth and cash flow positive from operations, "said Ubisoft in a statement.

Side launch, the group put on another commercial success to come: the game "Driver". Previously scheduled for the third fiscal quarter, it should now come out in the fourth quarter.

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But positive on Monday for Carrefour! Around 16:30, the action of the distribution group showed the highest increase in ACC 40: 2.94% to 33.08 euros in a market which lost 0.23%. Rival Casino gaining 1.45% to 62.91 euros.

The action is primarily supported by a first good news: Deutsche Bank has increased the purchase on Carrefour after recommending to keep it.

Furthermore, although the information has not yet been confirmed by Carrefour does not wish to comment, the group would begin selling its operations in Thailand (550 million euros turnover in 2009 ), Malaysia (300 million euros of turnover) and Singapore (80 million euros of turnover), according to Reuters."I would not reconsider our position on a number of emerging markets where the potential is not important," said Lars Olofsson, Executive Director of Carrefour, Le Figaro last January. These transfers could bring him some 800 million euros.

"Carrefour has too dispersed"

"These operations will confirm Carrefour to focus on China (3.5 billion euros in turnover in the first quarter of 2010, Ed), Taiwan (1.3 billion euros of turnover) or Indonesia (800 million euros of turnover), "said an analyst of CM-CIC Securities specialist value. He added: "These markets like Mexico, Chile, Japan, South Korea or Switzerland, which Carrefour has withdrawn, were either uninteresting or markets where the group has rapidly exceeded by its competitors. Carrefour was too dispersed.

Carrefour has been working with Goldman Sachs and UBS on the transaction that could sucsciter interest of private equity investment, according to the evolution of debt markets and mergers and acquisitions, or other distributors within Asia, as Tesco and Casino, according to the analyst.

Carrefour wants to "re-enchant the hyper"

More good news for the guys who did not wish to comment: As part of its "hyper-enchantment" Carrefour should delegate its rays to Virgin Music, the magazine Challenges. By outsourcing this department to a specialist, the group hopes to attract more young people into its stores. A first test will be done in the store Venissieux. And if successful, the contract could be extended to 238 Carrefour hypermarkets, and cover all rays non-food, whose sales have fallen 5% in 2009.

Friday, Carrefour officalisé restructuring its activities in Belgium. After months of negotiations, the group has signed a social agreement providing for the closure of sixteen stores deficit, while strengthening its partnership with Mestdagh. The reduction of labor costs Carrefour Belgium, it would save about 25 million euros per year. For the analyst of CM-CIC Securities, this restructuring plan is a "good news" because it will help give a boost to sales of the group in Belgium.

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The nightmare continues for BP. The oil group announced Friday that its expenses related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have now reached 2.35 billion dollars (about 1.9 billion euros). This amount includes all expenses incurred by the operations of oil recovery and cleaning the coast since the beginning of the disaster but also the drilling of relief efforts, aid already paid to the residents affected and the damage already returned to federal authorities . This Friday at the London Stock Exchange, investors punish: shares tumble from -6.84% to 303.10 pence in late morning. Their lowest level in 14 years.

This new drop is more than 50% during the collapse of the oil company since the sinking of the platform in late April Deepwater Horizon.Meanwhile, five-year CDS BP increased by 19 basis points to 555 points, according to Markit.

The fall in prices has been sharp end of April, when the collapse of the platform.

Societe Generale on Wednesday asked the Criminal Court of Paris condemned his former trader Jerome Kerviel to pay 4.9 billion in damages in compensation for "injury" suffered in 2008.

"It is clear that Mr. Kerviel will not pay" such sum, said in his address one of three lawyers from the bank, Jean Veil.Mais amount is requested for the sake of "simplicity" and "understanding ", he said, adding that this sum represented only" a part "of the injury."You could charge interest, they could claim compensation for moral damage" also suffered, "he added.

The bank alleges that Jerome Kerviel, who faces further five years in prison and 375,000 euros in damages for having taken without his knowledge for tens of billions of dollars of speculative positions in financial markets, which resulted in January 2008 by a historic loss of 4.9 billion euros.

Jerome Kerviel, 33, disputes this analysis and refuses to take responsibility for this perte.Il says his superiors knew of his operations – what they denied in their testimony – and thinks he could have ultimately "chasing" if he had been given time paperless payday loans.

Under the old trader, the "unwinding" (liquidation) of the positions he had taken was done wrong at the wrong time, what still strongly disputed Mr. Veil. The bank was threatened, she had no choice, provided the lawyer.

Before Mr. Veil, François Martineau, another lawyer for the bank, explained that the "thesis of Jerome Kerviel" that Societe Generale "knew" what he was doing was "totally unbelievable. First, "why hide what is known? There is a major contradiction. Then, continued the lawyer, "he said, 'They let me win, and when I started losing I was arrested'."But, he said, "it began to lose in April 2007!" Redress the situation before the end of the year end 2007, then lost again in January 2008.

Martineau also recalled the "images" that have been raised since the beginning of this case: the "earthen pot against the iron pot," or "David against Goliath." But there are many, he said A victim who is the bank, and a "defendant" charged with three offenses of embezzlement, forgery and using false and fraudulent introduction of data into a computer system.

European Banks Are they healthy? The question that torments the markets will soon find an answer. Under pressure from Madrid, the results of resistance tests carried out by banking regulators to assess the soundness of institutions will be made public. Paris wants a publication "before the end of July." Christine Lagarde, French Minister of Economy, told Reuters: "I am very positive about this publication. There is nothing worse than the rumors and doubts about the banks. " The Minister is confident, remembering that French banks have so far yielded positive results. These displays of the solvency ratios for the time, satisfactory. In the opposite case, Christine Lagarde said the banks to recapitalize.

Madrid triggers debate

The day before, the Spanish central bank had announced the forthcoming publication of the results of these tests. El Pais had found the ad "unprecedented in the euro area. The Madrid Institute hopes to dispel the doubts now hanging on the strength of its banking sector. The Spanish governor of the Bank believes that the current rumors greatly amplify the difficulties of the Spanish financial industry. He hopes that the markets "are fully aware of the situation in the Spanish banking system."

Banks reluctant

Further to the announcement in Madrid, the German government long reluctant, finally decided to give him the green light too low fee payday loans. But Berlin has yet to convince its banks.German institutions showed far opposed the publication of these results.

Successful tests of Moody's

The European Central Bank will also favors the publication of these tests. In the eyes of the central bank, the operation of transparency is able to reassure the markets. And regulators have reason to be optimistic. Indeed, European banks have recently passed the tests of strength by Moody's. The rating agency has increased the stress tests to thirty European banks from ten countries, and concluded that they have a level of capital sufficient to take further losses.

On the menu of discussions in Brussels

The issue of stress tests for banks will be raised at the EU summit held this Thursday.The Twenty-seven were found initially to discuss "strengthening of fiscal discipline." But the agenda should also focus on Spain, which raises concerns. Some even wondered if Madrid does not seek help from its European partners. A line of credit from 200 to 250 billion euros was raised.