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After Societe Generale and BNP Paribas, is the turn of Credit Agricole announced asset sales. The bank is expected to formalize the announcement today confirming the information in the Financial Times published on Wednesday that does not specify the amount that could take these asset sales.

Particularly exposed to the crisis in Greece with its local subsidiary Emporiki, Credit Agricole, was downgraded by one notch Mood'ys ten days ago, as its rival Societe Generale. By reducing the size of its balance sheet, the bank may, mechanically strengthen its financial soundness. BNP has already announced plans to reduce by 10% the size of its balance sheet by the end of 2012, while Societe Generale provides 4 billion of asset disposals.

This is also seeking to sell its stake in Newedge, the joint venture of Societe Generale and Credit Agricole specializing in derivatives personal loan for poor credit.According to a source quoted by Reuters, the bank will also consider transfer SGSS, its management subsidiary titles, but no decision had yet been taken.

Reorganization in North Africa and the Middle East

Tuesday, the head of Crédit Agricole in the UAE had told Reuters that the bank had closed its merger and acquisition in North Africa and the Middle East. "We want to focus on areas where we can create value for our customers," he said.

At the Paris Bourse, the Crédit Agricole yield 1.04% to 5.134 euros after climbing 13.10% yesterday, amid rumors of measures to support the banking sector in the euro area.

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Optimism has no place in French industry and households. According to the monthly survey published Friday by INSEE, the synthetic indicator of business climate in manufacturing industry fell by six points to 99 points in September, passing below the 100 that corresponds to the average long period for this indicator. "He finds his level of August 2010," INSEE said in a statement.

As for the index of business climate as a whole (including services, construction, wholesale and retail trade), it falls along eight points to 97 points. Clearly, "the economic climate deteriorated in all sectors except construction," says INSEE.

Even pessimistic side of French households, whose confidence index has lost five points to 80 points in September, according to data from the institute free business cards.This is its lowest level since February 2009. This indicator had a slight gain in July (three points) after months of stability. But in September, households appear significantly higher than in July to anticipate an increase in unemployment (23 points).

To this must be added the concerns of their income: between July and September, the opinion of households on their personal financial situation has deteriorated further, the balance corresponding dropping six points. Thus, the French are less numerous than in July to consider appropriate to make major purchases (-5 points). About their nest egg, they also feel that the time is not conducive to spare that the balance corresponding losing 8 points in its long-term average.

Reportedly, the government wants only the French, whose resources are regularly paying the higher contribution of high incomes by 3%. It should not be a merchant that exceeds the threshold one year (500,000 euros for one person, 1 million for a couple) because he sold his business to be taxed. For this, the income taken into account for the outbreak of the tax will be calculated as an average over three years. Example with a single: it will be taxed if an average three-year income exceeds 500,000 euros need a personal loan with bad credit.

Moreover, the triggers of the tax should evolve in the parliamentary debate in the fall. MPs and senators want to hit the contribution of lower incomes.Bercy seems willing to compromise around an entry threshold to 250,000 euros per person (and 500,000 euros for a couple).

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From our special correspondent in Wroclaw.

The Europeans hoped "a dialogue between friends," the Americans had "no arrogance." Las. With the destabilization of markets and growing concern on both sides of the Atlantic, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, could not resist lecturing his seventeen counterparts in the euro area gathered Friday to Wroclaw (Poland).

The relief provided by five central banks – including the U.S. Fed – banks in the euro area will not long concealed the absence of concerted policy response to the crisis. On behalf of the Europeans, the President of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker declined projects Tim Geithner, citing "differences in approach with our American colleagues."Treasury Secretary, he has put his finger where the euro hurts: he publicly expressed concern "of the conflict between governments and the European Central Bank," a week after the sensational resignation of the Chief Economist of the ECB .

Barack Obama's America, soon launched a presidential campaign, fearing a collapse of Greece, a contagion to European banks and a possible fracture of the euro area. If the crisis deepens, it is the U.S. economy would suffer the backlash, shock reverse of that which had hit Europe after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

The first message in Washing-ton is to push the Europeans to speak with one voice and act decisively. "Governments and the Central Bank should work together (…) to avoid catastrophic risks for financial markets," said Treasury Secretary.And he insists, denouncing the cacophony that destabilizes the common currency: "Everyone should also abstain from loose talk about the end of the euro area." Targeted: the proponents of expulsion from Greece …

Denial of a tax on financial transactions

The unprecedented invitation launched by Poland – host country because currently presiding the EU – Timothy Geithner had anything to embarrass, in turmoil, the finance ministers of the euro. We saw Baroin host the head of U.S. Treasury of a strong handshake in Wroclaw. But the Euro has carefully kept at a distance. He has not formally participated in the circle, but a "preliminary conversation" about an hour. Contrary to custom, he did not sent to journalists.To tell his truths to Europe, he preferred an audience of bankers in another part of town.

Some did not take gloves to say that Europe has no lessons to learn. The United States, collapsing under the deficits should put their own house, says the Belgian Didier Reynders. "America has nothing to dictate when the person refuses flatly our suggestions," added the Austrian Maria Fekter. It is true that Tim Geithner repeated Friday his opposition front to the tax on financial transactions carried to Paris, Berlin and Brussels.

Decisions deferred

For the second time in eight days, Treasury Secretary left Europe empty-handed. Friday, the Europeans have made a face at her suggestion to "leverage" means the EFSF, the bailout fund for countries of the euro in difficulty."This is not a subject that is discussed with a country outside the EU," Jean-Claude Juncker meant. Same end of inadmissibility of the American idea of ​​supporting the growth of public funds "even a donkey does not stumble twice on the same stone, 'says Didier Reynders, convinced of the urgency to fight first against the deficits.

For the Americans as to Europeans, the European event in Wroclaw ends with a disturbing sense of incompleteness, even for emergencies. The Eurogroup has pushed to mid-October a decision on payment of 8 billion euros to Greece. He did not reach an agreement on guarantees that Finland requires Greece.

The CAC 40 plunges into the red Monday. The benchmark index of the Paris Stock Exchange, which closed Friday on the day of a severe fall of 3.6%, falling 3.52% to 3037.72 points after opening down 2.41% at 3072 , 51 points. The movement is the same in the rest of Europe in London, the FTSE-100 index lost 1.99%, in Frankfurt the Dax was down 3.01%. Madrid and Milan unleash respectively 2.86% and 2.64%.

The health of European banks up to the center of attention. The President of the French Banking Federation (FBF), François Perol, recognizes this Monday, in an interview with Les Echos, that if "bank liquidity in euro is not a problem," "the dollar is more refinancing tense. " Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, in turn repeats, in an interview published Monday in Germany, criticized the request of a European bank recapitalization."We think in general it is necessary to recapitalize European banks so that they are strong enough to withstand the risks associated with the debt crisis and low growth," she told the weekly Der Spiegel.

The chief executive of Deutsche Bank (-6.74% to 24.25 euros), Josef Ackermann, in turn, poured oil on the fire by saying that some European banks would not survive if they were to reassess the sovereign debt accounts at market price. Recapitalization forced the European banking sector could in turn send the wrong signal to markets, in this case the loss of faith on the part of authorities in the ability of measures to succeed, however, said Josef Ackermann .

Societe Generale lost 7.33% to 20.54 euros.The bank is also penalized by the U.S. federal agency oversight of mortgage that has filed a complaint Friday against 17 major international financial institutions which include the French bank, for a total loss of $ 41 billion in bonds linked to subprime .

In its wake, BNP Paribas lost 7.08% to 31.05 euros, Crédit Agricole 6.08% to 5.81 euros and 4.42% at Axa 10.06 euros. Natixis lost 4.87% to 2.58 euros. The aerospace equipment Safran (-2.78% to 26.25 euros) will make its entry into the CAC 40 index, while the bank Natixis is about to leave, said Friday the Scientific Council of the indices of NYSE Euronext. The changes take effect Sept. 19.

Bad signals on growth

In addition to banking problems, the first global economy has fueled fears of a global slowdown by announcing Friday it had no jobs created in August. Following this announcement, Wall Street closed on a sharp drop of more than 2%. U.S. markets will do on Monday with European stock any procedure they will remain closed for Labor Day (Labor Day observed every first Monday of September). "Wall Street remains closed doors, it seems unlikely that operators take the slightest risk," said Chris Weston, an analyst at IG Markets.

Asian stock markets have instead given with a negative pulse of the market in red. Operators in the region have learned that HSBC index of purchasing managers in the Chinese sector services slowed to an unprecedented low in August.Seasonally adjusted and calculated by the Institute Markit, it fell to 50.6 after 53.5 in July.

No other indicator may move the index is also expected on Monday. One highlight of the week will be the release of the Beige Book Fed on Wednesday night, which will be the summary of economic conditions in regions in the United States best payday advance.

No recession expected in Europe

The side of the euro area, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, has tried to reassure investors. Traveling in Australia, he said that the European economy would experience in the coming months a "moderate growth" without going into recession. "We do not anticipate a recession in Europe.The latest forecasts from the European Commission show that the growth will be at the meeting, although this growth will be moderate, it is true, "he said in Sydney.

Markit, the company that carries out the PMI, however, said on Monday that growth in private activity in the euro area slowed more than expected in August, falling to its lowest level in two years, reinforcing fears of a return to recession by the end of 2011. The composite index, which summarizes the activity in the service sector and manufacturing fell to 50.7 points against 51.1 points in July, according to a second estimate.

For his part, Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank said it is "imperative" to implement the decisions taken by Heads of State and Government of the euro zone in July to resolve the debt crisis.

The euro fell slightly to 1.4140 dollars after falling in morning trading, to a low of three weeks, to 1.4138 dollar. For their part, oil prices were down in electronic trading in Asia, depressed by the poor figures on employment in the United States. A barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October lost 59 cents to 85.86 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery 74 cents to 111.59 dollars.Saft takes off

EDF: -2.70% to 20.38 euros

The Italian Minister of Industry, Paolo Romani, said Sunday he would meet Monday Proglio about the power company Edison.

ArcelorMittal: -2.87% to 13.72 euros

Peabody Energy and ArcelorMittal announced Monday it had extended until September 27, the period during which the short bid for $ 5 billion (3.53 billion euros) on the Australian Macarthur Coal.

Zodiac: -1.67% to 54.20 euros

The group said it had completed the acquisition of the American Heath Tecna and have reached an agreement with its banks to raise 300 million euros the amount of an existing credit line.

Schneider Electric: -4.80% to 41.89 euros

The French government intervened with the company to freeze a plan for the removal of one.000 temporary positions, the daily Liberation in its Monday edition, but the group has firmly denied to AFP such a plan.

Saft: 9.81% to 23.96 euros (largest increase in the SBF 120)

The American automotive supplier Johnson Controls will pay $ 145 million (102 million euros) to the French specialist in batteries as part of an amicable agreement ending their joint venture in the automotive industry, announced Friday the two groups in a joint statement.

Alstom: -4.07% to 29.55 euros

The group signed a 66 million euros with Iraq to build a power plant in the province of Nineveh in the north, said the Iraqi Minister of Electricity.

France Telecom: -1.87% to 12.33 euros

TPSA its Polish subsidiary has announced to contest the fine of 128 million euros that inflicted the European Commission.

While many companies publish their results on Wednesday, so good for Vivendi. The group of telecommunications and media has indeed released the results broadly in line with market expectations for the first half and confirmed its outlook for 2011.

On the occasion of the publication, the Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy said he "confirms the outlook annual adjusted net income in excess of 3 billion euros" against 2.69 billion euros in 2010, which will increase the dividend per share. The businessman says he is confident because of "operational indicators on the rise, despite a financial and economic disruption."

In the first six months of the year, the group has doubled its net profit after minority interests of 2.6 billion euros with a net gain of $ 1.2 billion related to the settlement of a dispute in Poland.Adjusted net income shows him up by 20.2% to 1.83 billion euros. As for the EBITA (operating income, net of amortization of goodwill), it stood at 3.36 billion euros, up 4.6% at constant exchange rates free online credit report. Group sales reached 14.25 billion, up 2.4%. The market on average expected a turnover of 14.24 billion euros, an EBIT of 3.31 billion and adjusted net income of 1.73 billion, according to estimates by seven analysts quoted by Reuters.

For businesses, the group's results were supported by the performance of Activision Blizzard and GVT. The developer and publisher of French-American game has achieved an operating profit of 833 million, up 34.4%.Over the past twelve months, the portfolio means of Canal + France recorded a net growth of 96,000 subscriptions.

Asked about the proposed IPO of 20% of Canal + agreed by the other shareholder of the group, Lagardère, and rejected the first time in March due to the nervousness of the markets after the earthquake in Japan, the CEO of Vivendi, Jean-Bernard Levy, kicked into touch. "As we all know the ball is in their court," he said. "We expect the recovery Lagardère decides whether or not what is now the right according to our agreements.

The day after a session sharply higher on Wall Street and in Asia, the Paris market continued its rebound sharply on Tuesday after rising 2.2% Monday. At the opening, the benchmark index of the Paris Bourse was awarded 1.22% in 3192, 69 points. But at midday, the CAC 40 is pressed into the red with shortness of breath and banking stocks before the release of U.S. indicators

Yesterday on Wall Street indices ended the session up 2.2% for the Dow and the Nasdaq 3.3% driven by the consumption figures in the United States. Asian markets followed suit with their American counterparts. In Tokyo, the Nikkei was up 1.22% to 8959.75 points while unemployment is again on the rise for the second consecutive month in July and that retail sales fell by 0.3% from June

The correct orientation of financial markets has boosted oil prices.Asian markets, the Nymex is trading at 87.49 dollars, he finished in 87.27 dollars in New York, up $ 1.90 from Friday. Brent crude traded him to 112.17 dollars.

On the front of the foreign exchange market, the euro continues to rise slightly against the greenback, moving always on top bar $ 1.45. At about 8 am in Paris, the European currency was worth 1.4528 dollars against 1.4510 dollars late Monday.

Fears about the health of banks

The day before, call to order by Christine Lagarde bound for European banks has prompted European leaders to defend the institutions of the old continent. "European banks are much better capitalized today than they were a year ago. This was confirmed by stress tests conducted in July, "assured the Commissioner of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn.

But on Tuesday, it was the turn of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to throw fuel on the fire. The IASB believes that the provisions made by banks and European insurers about their exposure to Greek debt have been dumped, reports the Financial Times. According to the newspaper, BNP Paribas and CNP Assurances are particularly concerned by this risk. BNP Paribas is stable at 34.41 euros and CNP Assurances does not earn more than 0.20% to 12.35 euros.

Also Tuesday, the president of MEDEF, Laurence Parisot, in turn criticized the words of Christine Lagarde, saying his statement "incomprehensible. European banks are strong. And for French banks, we must bear in mind that we have banks among the strongest in the world, "said the boss of bosses of Europe 1.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also generally lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2011 and 2012, leaving unchanged the forecast of Germany for the current year.

Still on macroeconomic indicators will be out today. Before trading, the markets did not take umbrage at the publication of a fall, but strong early sales of new homes in the second quarter in France.

Economic Confidence Index, published by the European Commission, fell to 98.3 points against 103 points in July. This is the sixth consecutive decline. Throughout the European Union, the confidence of business leaders and consumers has declined even more significantly, by 5 percentage points to 97.3 points, against 102.3 points in July.

Are also expected in mid-day figures for business failures.

Overseas, the index of consumer confidence, the housing (Case-Shiller) and the minutes of the last Fed meeting will also facilitate the session.

Arcelor-Mittal is growing in Australia

On the corporate side, Arcelor-Mittal (1.60% to 14.58 euros) is about to take control of Australia's Macarthur, world's largest producer of pulverized coal, in association with the American Peabody Energy . The tender offer made by the European steel amounts to 5.16 billion dollars. Macarthur's management finally yielded to the new offer revised upwards by the Arcelor-Peobody tandem: it is 16 Australian dollars (11.8 euros) per share, against A $ 15.50 earlier.

The semi-annual publications are now many, especially among heavyweights rating.Note that the Y real, Havas, Bouygues, Colas, Vinci, Bollore, NRJ Group and Devoteam detail their half-year after the market closes.

In addition, Ipsen (6.12% to 23.50 euros) announced revenues up 5.3% in the first half. He also announced an upward adjustment of its sales forecast for 2011 in favor of a less pronounced decline than expected sales in general practice.

The French shipowner CMA-CGM said that 2011 should be "a good year" for the group, claiming to have already funded the bulk of its investments for 2011 and 2012.The company said to have $ 1.7 billion (1.17 billion euros) in cash at the end of June, July and have paid $ 550 million bond line, while press reports evoked ago few weeks of possible cash flow problems.

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When in 2007 the Merkel government has created an additional income tax of 45%, Germany was against the current. At the time, it was time to lower taxes to encourage work. But the crisis and rising public deficits have changed everything. Germany has become more and more followers. In 2010, the UK has increased to 50% the rate of the highest portion of its income tax (IR). And Italy is preparing to introduce a solidarity tax for employees earning over 90,000 euros.

More surprising number of taxpayers potentially affected by such a tax do not hesitate to ask now open! American side, the billionaire Warren Buffett has called this week for a contribution of "mégariches."In France, Maurice Levy, chief executive of Publicis Group and president of the Afep (French association of private companies), wrote in his name, an article in Le Monde, where he considered it "essential that the effort Solidarity begins with those whom fate has spared. " All indications are that it will be heard as the French government pledged last spring to introduce a tax on high incomes. "Today we are working on the issue of remuneration is said sometimes extravagant," reiterated on Wednesday on Europe 1, the budget minister, Valérie Pécresse.

The majority has already noted last year from 40% to 41% in the final tranche of IR. But this time it is hit with higher incomes (the final installment begins 71,000 euros in annual revenues). And this without creating a new rate of IR.While some lawmakers, like Senator Jean Arthuis centrist, still defend the idea, Nicolas Sarkozy is opposed to any new slice. Since the fall, the government has consistently rejected in Parliament every initiative of his majority to create a slice with 46% annual earnings per share in excess of 100,000 euros.

A million or 150,000 euros of income a year?

The Ministers of Economy and Budget has established a working group of parliamentarians who must propose measures in the fall, in the 2012 budget pay day loans. The idea of ​​the executive, initially was rather taxing high incomes via the company by making non-deductible from corporate tax wages above a certain level. But the government now seems to favor a direct taxation at the household level, a solution advocated by many parliamentarians.Gilles Carrez, the UMP rapporteur of the budget in the Assembly proposes to introduce a contribution of 1% to 2% of annual revenues in excess of one million euros.

Advantage: All income is affected, including dividends and capital gains, not just wages (as with the non-deductibility). The threshold of 1 million French can target very easy – 30,000 homes would be affected. "The measure must be a symbol. This is not to bail out of the state, "said Jerome Chartier, UMP du Val-d'Oise. In fact, 2%, the new tax would yield only 300 million (against $ 1 billion for the portion eg 46%). "Be careful not to pour into demagoguery and rich hunting. The contribution must be calibrated, "adds Philippe Marini, UMP rapporteur of the budget in the Senate.

Problem: all members do not see it that way.Pierre Mehaignerie, the UMP president of the Committee on Social Affairs in the Assembly hopes that the contribution applies from 150,000 to 200,000 euros in annual income for couples and 80,000 euros for a single. At this level, more than 300,000 homes were affected, including many executives. "I understand that. But our people are ready to make an effort if, at the same time, the state reform, "Pierre defends Méhaignerie. The animated discussions ahead in the majority!

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LE FIGARO. -The markets are highly concerned in recent weeks of debt crises. In this context, the economy has not she also helped to disrupt?

Jean-Michel SIX. -If, of course. And we must start by saying that in times of summer holidays, the markets, which were then much lower volumes, overreact to any new economic situation. The lower the index is up or dive in a much more important than what happens in winter.

Right now, they are rather dive …

For several months, both sides of the Atlantic, the signals on growth are not good. United States, including employment prospects are very disappointing. In fact, employment is not really left since the 2008 financial crisis.Labor mobility is limited due to the housing crisis: moving to take a new position, which is much the United States, is difficult because it becomes difficult to sell his house. As for household consumption, it is significantly weakened by the debt levels of Americans. A total of 2011 should result in a 2% growth, which is very disappointing for the U.S., where the pace of activity is generally much higher than in Europe.

Europe, precisely, is it in a perilous situation?

The problem of Europe is the growing divergence between North and South. This is something that worries the markets, which are asking what does that mean in terms of consistency of the euro area.Then, after a strong first quarter, it was believed that the air hole is the second passenger (once the effects of the earthquake in Japan absorbed and oil back to lower levels). But we realize that the sequence is also likely to be poor.

Markets can they regain composure?

It is quite possible to restore calm in September thanks to coordinated action. What happened in July is that we have simultaneously witnessed a loss of U.S. leadership, unable to break the deadlock of debt and a crisis of leadership in Europe in a context crisis on public finances. This is exactly the opposite which would have required!

So how about it?

First, we must continue the work on European Governance. This is critical. Second, the timing of implementation of the second plan is important for Greece.The European Financial Stability Fund will be endowed with significant firepower, which is to say the least-welcome, but there is some impatience markets. It is important not to drag the national parliaments to adopt the device. The political signal must come quickly. Finally, the ECB has played its role, it must continue to appear reassuring.

That's what she tried to Thursday …

The measures announced by President Trichet, in particular the resumption of purchases by the ECB on secondary markets, are extremely positive.

Investors do they always trust in the euro area?

Yes. Investor confidence, especially in emerging countries has not disappeared. She even remained strong, as evidenced by the excellent performance of the euro since the beginning of the crisis.The euro zone faces a crisis of governance, not a crisis of its currency.

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Despite the withdrawal of support from the Ministry of Education, however, initiated the scheme in 2007, Operation "Essentials of the season" is renewed this year. The consumer association Familles de France, who led the negotiations only for the operation to be maintained, and obtained group Auchan, Carrefour, Casino, Cora and Système U marketing school supplies at prices that "most attractive as possible. " Items on a predetermined list, released by the department without committing to a price control, however, wants to "prevent slippage on the weight of school bag for children" must be placed on the shelves on Monday. They will be marked with a label.

The binder excluded from the list

The list 2011 includes thirty references, from books to filing through the rubber and pencil sharpener.This year, it does not ultimately buy a binder. The withdrawal of the article led the Federation of Parents for Public Education (PEEP) to leave the negotiation. "We recognize the economic reality and the context of rising raw material such as that 40% of the price of pulp, said Daniel SCHWARZ, treasurer of PEEP. That's why we were ready to discuss a positive impact on prices, perfectly stable since 2007. But the fact that teaches unilaterally remove the binder from this list, it is not acceptable. The binder for us is critical, there is. "

Rising prices

Creyssel Jacques, managing director of the Federation of Commercial and distribution (FCD), whose members are the retailers participating in the operation, has stressed during a press conference that the prices of "Essentials of return "would increase. "The increase will be moderate," he promised, however. Brigitte Masure, president of the Confederation of families, intérogée by Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France believes that the purchase of supplies back last year cost 40 euros for a child to kindergarten, 113 euros for a PC, 337 euros for a sixth and 821 euros for a second student to technology. The invoice should climb this year.A study published in late June by the online shopping site Twenga revealed that the average cost of supplies were increased by 18% compared to last year.

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