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The draft law reforming the consumer credit which was adopted in late April by the National Assembly must be considered in the Senate Monday on second reading. This text, which transposes into French law the European directive of 23 April 2008 aims to better encadrerla distribution of these credits, advertising and strengthens consumer information to avoid over-indebtedness. "This legislation, once passed, will provide a protective base for consumer credit," says Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde. guard, who hopes that the text be adopted as early as Monday, said her commitment to the Senate on a timetable for implementation "very accurate".

No less than 14 decrees and orders will be four needed for its implementation. Christine Lagarde, wants everyone to be published before the end of the year."I intend that all texts are published by the end of 2010 to ensure that all stakeholders are informed of the publication of texts and measures to implement," said the minister at a press conference. The entry into force of the texts will then be scheduled through May 2011.

Division on the register of credits

The minister promised to create, upon promulgation of the text, the Committee shall deliver foreshadowing, over the next 12 months, a report on the establishment of a national registry of credits, also called positive file. This file would identify all loans taken by the French and could be accessed for each request for new credit.Christine Lagarde has ensured that the committee was established following the enactment of the law shows that it is not "being in time to push for it (the positive file, ie) becomes the Arlesienne."

The principle of this file, however, continues to divide and most consumer groups will remain opposed, citing an infringement of individual liberties and the fear of use of information by credit institutions. .

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To forget the failure of the huge nuclear power plant contract in Abu Dhabi. It's a little obsessed with the French energy sector and particularly of GDF Suez, which relies heavily on the Middle East.

Tuesday, the group headed by Gerard Mestrallet did not hide his satisfaction at the announcement of the signing of a contract to build a gas power plant with a capacity of 1730 megawatts (MW) in Saudi Arabia. The operation is substantial. The future plant, which will be commissioned in late 2012, an output slightly above the EPR (1600 MW), for a price much lower: 2.1 billion dollars.

In reality, the bill for GDF Suez is approximately 400 million dollars. The group owns only 20% of the consortium.The balance is in the hands of Saudi Crown Corporation (SEC), at 50%, and two partners, the Saudi Aljomaih Holding Co and Japan's Sojitz Corporation, which share the remaining 30%. The operation for twenty years, however, is entrusted to the French energy company.

Competition relatively limited

With this operation draws a little more face GDF Suez on the world supply. Unlike EDF, which concentrates its production in Europe and especially in France where it holds a capacity of 96,000 MW, the group is growing strongly outside Europe.

In the Middle East, it will have in 2013 a volume of 17,000 MW, equal to its combined capacity in Belgium and France. The other major area of activity is in South America, and particularly in Brazil where he is expected to produce 11,000 MW within three years.In total, GDF Suez expects a capacity of 100,000 MW by 2013 against 72,000 MW currently.

Growth in these areas is even faster than the electricity needs are growing. Demand is growing 8% per annum in Saudi Arabia. Brazil must build the equivalent of two or three EPR annually to meet the needs of the population and industry. The bulk of the investments made in hydropower, which represents three quarters of the country's capabilities.

Another advantage, competition is relatively limited. None of the major European energy companies not participating in tenders in the Middle East. The real competitor is Western International Power, the English electrician that coveted GDF Suez earlier this year.It has 9000 MW of which 2,000 under construction in the Middle East.

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The oil found 70 dollars

Optimism returns on oil markets. On Thursday, oil prices have ended on a 4% rise to 74.55 dollars in New York, gaining 8% in two sessions. The $ 70 threshold was crossed on the rise Monday and picked up the rebound Wednesday. That day, Brent took $ 2.15 (3.09%) to 71.70 dollars, ending a run of nine consecutive sessions of declines.

"The market has received a good dose of optimism," said Phil Flynn of PFG Best Research. "It was time, prices had fallen by 87-65 dollars." For Ellis Eckland, an independent analyst, "it is a rebound in the wake of the stock markets. People are more optimistic about the fact that the euro will not collapse and less frightened about the economy. " Another factor supporting prices: the six-month extension of the moratorium on offshore oil drilling decided by Barack Obama."The United States derive a third of their crude production offshore drilling if we do drill more, this production may simply disappear", said Ellis Eckland.

But the week was also marked by a one-time relapse occurred below 70 dollars Tuesday. Investors, troubled by geopolitical tensions between the two Koreas, suffered a renewed concerns about the pace of global recovery.

If the courts now seem to settle in the range of 70-75 dollars, the volatility is always present. Especially as the U.S. Agency for Energy Information (EIA) announced that crude oil reserves rose 2.4 million barrels to 365.1 million, exceeding their year's level last at the same time.Economists on average had expected an increase of 200,000 barrels only.

Tuesday, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Sabah, said he was "not yet" worried by the decline in crude prices. If no emergency meeting of OPEC is scheduled, the oraganisation plans to "call for more respect of production quotas.

Note that oil prices have tumbled more than 20% since the beginning of the month.

Base metals: purchases restart

Prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have started to increase last week on the basis of a wave of buying on the cheap. The increase was frankly started Thursday, following the easing of world stock markets after China denied its intention to reduce the share of its assets in euros.The euro strengthened against the dollar, making them more attractive purchases of raw materials with the U.S. currency.

Copper prices have soared to 7,043 dollars per tonne on Friday, a level last seen two weeks. The aluminum prices reached 2,086 dollars per tonne on Friday, their highest in two weeks. Lead, nickel and zinc gained respectively 0.6%, 1.8% and 3.4% payday loans.

However, caution remains the watchword. The price volatility is high as evidenced by the slowing of the rebound Friday after the publication of consumer spending by American households down in April after six consecutive months of increases. Overproduction of copper in Chile and increased reserves of aluminum could also disrupt markets.

Precious metals: the gold recovery

Fell from its pedestal last week, gold has recovered to historical levels last week in favor of a new wave of market stress in midweek. Alarmed by the risks in the euro area, investors have once again flocked to the safe haven, pushing prices up to U.S. $ 1218.47 on Thursday, not far from the record of U.S. $ 1249.40 May 14 On the London Bullion Market, an ounce of gold finished at 1207.50 dollars at auction Friday night, cons 1179.75 dollars the previous Friday.

And the prospects of rising oil prices are good for the yellow metal. According to the World Gold Council (BMC), consumption should be taken this year by the expansion of the jewelry in China and India.

The ounce of silver has followed the movement of gold, finishing at 18.53 dollars Friday, against 17.72 dollars last Friday.The platinum group metals have also returned to form more than the football World Cup in South Africa could lead to tensions on the country's electricity supply. A situation that could force the mining groups to reduce their production. The ounce of platinum finished at 1555 dollars per ounce of palladium finished at 471 dollars against 419 dollars a week earlier.

Corn and soybeans climbed in Chicago

The corn and soybean prices rose Thursday on the Chicago futures market, driven by the exchanges and oil. More broadly, the decline of the dollar against the euro makes U.S. production more attractive for export.A bushel of corn ends at $ 3.60 (1.12%) and soybeans to close an $ 9.38 per bushel (0.48%).

Cocoa prices have in turn touched a new high in London this week, boosted by the prospect of tight supplies and growing global demand. Thursday, cocoa for July delivery climbed to 2,451 pounds in London, prices not seen for 32 years, while the same term contract in New York reached 3018 dollars.

Sugar, for its part failed to continue its rebound from the previous week. On Liffe in London, a tonne of white sugar for August delivery was worth 475.80 pounds on Friday. On the NYBOT U.S. a pound of raw sugar for July delivery was worth 14.83 cents.

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"It was excessive, it drop back, it will calm down," said Tuesday the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde. Interviewed on France Culture, she has qualified the market reaction to the announcement of the European aid plan of 750 billion euros in the night from Sunday to Monday.

"The markets have been an excessive response, as sometimes yesterday (Monday, editor's note) with climbs as evidence had not seen for twenty years, and as it had never been seen in some countries," she analyzed. The CAC 40 gained more than 9% Monday and Wall Street recorded its biggest increase since the beginning of the year.

In fact, stock markets began the day falling on Tuesday. The CAC 40 index opened down 1.78% at 3655.2 points.Investors take profits after Monday's rebound.

About the decision of the European Central Bank to redeem debt securities of states, Christine Lagarde stressed the importance of the current crisis. "This is not orthodox in the functioning of the European Central Bank. But in exceptional circumstances, exceptional driving, "she said. "I'm not sure the ECB does so regularly."

Some commentators were surprised by the decision of the European Central Bank, putting into question its independence. The ECB had so far always refused to take such measures of buying assets.

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Energy: one week for the troubled oil

Gravitating around $ 85 last week, oil prices have slowed their rise this week. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of light sweet crude for May delivery traded at 84.52 dollars on Monday against a peak of $ 87 on Tuesday of last week. "It comes back to earth, ironic one analyst.

This correction then explained by an increase in inventories of crude reserves in the United States for the tenth straight week. Oil prices continued their decline in the rest of the week despite the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA) has again raised its forecast for global oil demand in 2010 of 2% compared to 2009.Investors have been cooled by the analysis of JP Morgan believed that the offer would remain significant because of high inventories of non-members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

A wake was held following the publication of positive quarterly results from Intel. The U.S. Agency for Energy Information (EIA) had also announced a surprise drop in crude inventories at 354 million. Since Wednesday, the price has recovered the $ 85. Friday, prices have stabilized around 85.69 dollars per barrel WTI.

Metals: copper, always leading

When China talks about his growth figures, the metals markets are rubbing their hands. Latest macroeconomic figures in Chinese date, the country grew 11.9% yoy in the first quarter. A new whetting the appetite of investors.Remember that China is about 8% growth in 2010.

In markets, copper continued its path toward the summit despite a small reflux (-0.47% over the last 5 days). Friday on the London Metal Exchange (LME), the ton is trading at a consistently high level of 7874 dollars. The goal of $ 8,000 is not far.

Aluminum is also up on the LME, with a gain of 4.30% over 5 days and a high of 2,423 dollars per tonne reached Thursday. A fine performance as the industry giant, the American Alcoa announced Monday that he remained in the red in the first quarter due to special charges related to restructuring. The group was divided into two loss over one year to 201 million dollars.

Nickel is also 8.70% on the week. Ton set a record Thursday at 26,685 dollars on the LME.

Precious Metals: Greece weighs on gold

Gold has had a week sawtooth.The gold shows a decrease of 0.62% over 5 days. Friday, traded 1153.80 dollars per ounce, in a market down by 0.52%. This weakening is due to the rise of the dollar against various currencies worldwide that drives investors to take profits. This weekend, the euro lost 0.3% to an average of 1.3535 dollars amid concerns about the ability of Greece to cope with its crisis. The country has announced its intention to use EU funds to cope with its debt. Gold therefore moves away again from the "peak" predicted by the consulting firm GFMS in its annual report 2010.

The money follows the same path as gold, down from 0.49% to 18.35 dollars per ounce on Friday.The metal still remains above the 18 dollars, a level reached the first time since January last week.

Palladium was trading Friday around $ 540 an ounce on the London Bullion Market (LBM). Prices dropped slightly over the weekend but that does not make the metal more than 6% in 5 days.

Agricultural products in the green

This week has been marked by rising prices for soybeans, corn and wheat on the Chicago futures market. A bushel of wheat climbed Thursday to $ 4.80, allowing a gain of 3.78% over 5 days. Corn was trading at 3.62 dollars per bushel (44.24% in 5 days), while soybeans traded 9.78 dollars per bushel (3.19% in 5 days).

The announcement of a 11.9% growth yoy in the first quarter, China has boosted the morale of investors who expect a steady increase in demand from countries considered major consumers. The news has mostly benefited the soybean: China buys alone 60% of U.S. exports, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

If confirmed, this would be the heaviest fine ever imposed by the U.S. National Highway Safety Agency (NHTSA) to a manufacturer. This requires the Japanese Toyota fined 16.375 million dollars (12.191 million euros). A record amount justified, she said, by the slow reaction of the manufacturer's faults found and deliberately concealed its vehicles.

The U.S. government accuses him of hiding Toyota for "at least four months' issues of accelerators is jamming in the down position, and this" contempt of risk "led to drivers. According to the Minister of Transport Ray LaHood, the leaders of Toyota "did not take steps to protect millions of drivers and their families."

Toyota has two weeks to pay the fine or contest it.If he refuses to pay and can not agree with NHTSA, the matter will be referred to a court.

Procedural defects

The NHTSA had opened an investigation last February 16 to see if Toyota had been slow to reveal these problems, finds a first time Toyota has not notified within five days after discovery of problems, as the law The imposed.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT), the 70,000 pages of documents presented by Toyota have revealed that the manufacturer "knew his problems pedals are jamming on their own since at least September 29.It was at that date that Toyota "has launched repair procedures with its distributors from 31 European countries and Canada to address issues accelerator stuck, sudden increase and tachometer sudden acceleration of the vehicle, "says the report.

But the documents show that "Toyota knew that consumers in the United States suffered the same problems as those in Europe and Canada.Yet, September 29, the band announced the recall of 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S. claiming only the possibility that the accelerator pedal gets stuck in the floor mat and ignoring the problems of blocking pedals 'themselves in position.

It was not until January 21 that the manufacturer recalls 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S., reported first involuntary acceleration unconnected mats but the pedals are blocking themselves . In the end, Toyota has recalled more than 6 million vehicles in the U.S. on 9 million recalled in the world.Either the largest recall ever recorded by an automaker.

Organizational Change

In a statement, Toyota has defended: "We have already taken a significant number of measures to improve our communication with regulators and clients on security issues and strengthened our commitment to quality." This includes "the appointment of a new director of quality in North America and a greater role dedicated to regional leaders in the decision making process related to quality," says the manufacturer.

But the DOT has not said its last word. He announced as still investigating to determine if the manufacturer had "committed other offenses meriting further sanctions."

Reminders continue

Meanwhile, Toyota continues its recall campaign.The Japanese announced Tuesday its intention to recall 12,984 vehicles sold in South Korea because of mats may impede the accelerator pedal.

The three models involved are the Lexus ES350, Camry and Camry Hybrid. Motorists concerned will receive free repairs from April 19.

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The mobilization will she go in this Tuesday, two days in a large loss of the right in regional elections? Six unions (CFDT, CGT, FOR, FSU, UNSA, Solidaires) called on employees of public and private to a national day of action aimed at influencing government policy on political and social. At midday, the department estimated 21% share of the striking teachers, estimated at 40% for the SNES-FSU, while 11.45% of the postal employees would have mobilized in the direction. At the station, the strike rate was estimated at 28% by management, and 32% by the CGT. At RATP, it s'l?verait to 14% depending on the direction, the CGT-RATP not yet have figures to communicate. 180 rallies are also planned throughout France.

If it comes shortly after the regional elections, the appointment union had however taken immediately after the Social Summit in February, meeting at the initiative of the Head of State to discuss, among other things, the upcoming construction of the reform pensions. Two main points today crystallize opposition from unions, following a government reshuffle.

• Pensions: major point of contention between the unions and the government, the pension reform was launched at the Social Summit in February. While the dialogue should begin early April, several union leaders have spoken about this on Tuesday, sending a warning to the government. The CFDT leader Francois Ch?r?que has called for a reform that reduces inequality."Of course we must change our pension system, but it does not evolve towards greater social justice, this is again a loss of confidence in politics." Therefore, it could "be the sport at a social level," he warns. Jean-Claude Mailly, secretary general of FP, for his part reiterated on Tuesday his commitment to the LCI retirement at age 60, holding "absurd" the solution of longer working hours to alleviate the funding problems induced by the lengthening of life expectancy no teletrack payday loan . "If we follow this logic, women live longer should work longer," he argued.As for Bernard Thibault, leader of the CGT, he believes "we can not impose reform on accounting criteria exclusively, also challenging the objectivity of the Advisory Committee of pensions. "This appointment will be very difficult to carry," he predicted. Probably heard a speech by the new Labor Minister, Eric Woerth, who insisted on Tuesday on the need to "protect" the current system "an equitable reform.

• Employment: while the unemployment rate back above the 10% in the fourth quarter of 2009, the CFDT called for taking further steps to assist employees affected by the crisis. Pleading for an appeal to partial unemployment, training rather than dismissal, the leader of the CFDT has also called for financial support purchasing power and resources center for sustainable employment.The employees "have the feeling that we no longer speak of their real situation since September. An impression they would have in his Sunday expressed through the ballot box. The government must now "give strong signals, and change of method," he said. A view shared by the leader of the CGT, Bernard Thibault, who on Tuesday urged the convening of a new social summit at the Elysee. The meeting, a time desired by the head of state says he would aim to "take stock of the situation regarding employment, economic and social policy and purchasing power for practical decisions for implementing fast.

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Economic conditions continued to improve in the United States in January-February, "although harsh snowstorms in early February have dampened activity in several regions," according to the Beige Book released Wednesday by the U.S. central bank (Fed).

The document states that the activity has increased in nine of the twelve regions (by cutting the Fed), but that "in most cases, these improvements were small.

The information provided by the Beige Book are very important because they serve as a reference to the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed scheduled for March 16, which will decide on changes in interest rates.

Regarding the labor market, for which the Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, gave recently bleak outlook before Congress, the document notes that "the pace of layoffs has slowed in most regions, but that hiring plans of companies remain "soft in general."

As for expenditure on household consumption, traditional engine of growth of the country which is struggling to regain its role, they "grew slightly in many areas, but have been hampered in some by the snowfalls of early No teletrek payday advance