Rome managed a bond test

Despite the strains imposed by Greece on the euro area, Italy was able to borrow Monday medium and long term 5.25 billion euros expected without any increase in interest rates. Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti presented in Rome on 4 December 2011 a new austerity plan of 20 billion euros by 2014

Italy has a bond issue passed Monday by taking test 5.25 billion euros in the medium and long term interest rates steady at almost three years, despite strong investor concerns for the euro area due to blockage policy in Greece.

The total demand of investors amounted to 9 billion euros, allowing the Treasury, which were up between 3.5 and 5.25 billion euros, reaching its maximum target, announced the Bank of Italy . As part of its main issue, the Italian Treasury has raised 3.5 billion of securities maturing in 2015 at a rate of 3.91% against 3.89% in the last similar operation on April 12. He also issued 542 million of securities due 2020 at a rate of 5.33%, 651 million of securities due 2022 at a rate of 5.66% and € 557 million of securities due 2025 at a rate of 5.90%.

The Bank of Italy does not compare the rates of these bonds with those recorded during previous shows. "The show went well overall," said Elia Lattuga, bond strategist in the bank UniCredit. "The maximum was reached," a "particularly good result" that the market was marked "by difficulties this morning," added Chiara Manenti Intesa Sanpaolo.  

The political stalemate in Greece, which still has no government more than a week after the parliamentary elections, has plunged European stock markets Monday and caused a fever in the bond market.

Despite the success of this program by Rome, the Italian market also remained very tense. Secondary market, where exchange debt already issued, the rates in Italy were part of ten years at 5.724% to 5.495% cons 10:25 GMT Friday night while the Milan Stock Exchange 2.90% let go.

Friday, Italy, which faced since mid-April to a sharp rebound in rates after a strong expansion in the first quarter, recorded a great success on the debt market by placing 10 billion shares to three months and one year at declining rates.

China is ready to revive and boost the economy

China cut Saturday the amounts that banks must hold in reserve, thereby increasing their lending capacity of 400 billion yuan (48 billion euros), a measure taken to e avoid the risk of a sharp slowdown in the second largest economy.

People's Bank of China reduced the reserve ratio by 50 basis points, bringing it to 20.0%. This new amount will be effective next Friday May 18

This is the third decline in six months of the required reserve ratio, a decision just one day after the publication of macroeconomic data for the month of April have concerned investors, including the numbers of industrial production.

Economists had indeed thought that the growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) of 8.1% over one year was a record low and that the activity would be departing in the second quarter. Considering the recent statistics, this scenario does not seem to confirm.

"The central bank should cut its reserve requirement ratio after the first quarter. She missed the best possible time, "said Dong Xian'an, chief economist at Peking First Advisory

." A drop TODAY 'Today will have a lesser impact. The Chinese economy will therefore be more vulnerable to weak global economic conditions and a slowing Chinese economy will in turn have a negative impact on the global recovery. "..

…… "The uncertainties surrounding the global and Chinese economies increase," said Dong Xian'an

… …… Economists estimate that China's growth should be 8% per year to absorb the annual flow of new entrants to the labor market and rural land left to find work in the factory

. The central bank announced its first drop in the ratio of bank reserves for three years on November 30, lowering the rate of 50 basis points. 

According to a Reuters poll conducted in January, economists estimate that the central bank will reduce the reserve ratio of 200 basis points in total in 2012, bringing it to 19%.

Moreover, despite the inflationary risks, some believe that lower interest rates is not excluded.

"The problem is that loan demand from companies is very low, therefore the lower reserve requirement ratio is not as effective as lower rates of intere ; t, because a decrease in the ratio of reserves does not change the cost of loans, "said Liu Junyu (China Merchants Bank).

"If the economy continues to be hesitant, it is likely that the government will opt for a lower interest rate."

Complaints partly admissible against Moody's and S & P

U.S. courts ruled inadmissible two complaints against the rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Moody's, accused of misleading investors about the safety of financial assets on derivatives debt markets.

Judge Shira Scheindlin in Manhattan federal However limited the scope of these two complaints, finding that the offenses of incitement to fraud, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty were not founded ; es.

Stay the proceedings for deformation of agency activities relating to investment products in question, known as Cheyne and Rhinebridge.

The plaintiffs, including the Commercial Bank of Abu Dhabi, blame Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's losses related to bankruptcy Product Cheyne in August 2007. Investment product Rhinebridge him collapsed a year later, in August 2008.

In both cases, the plaintiffs accused the rating agencies to have worked with banks for financial products that have a triple A, the highest credit supposed to guarantee a free investment risk, whereas these derivative investments were backed in part on credit "subprime" high risk.

The Fitch is also concerned by the complaint Rhinebridge.

The decision of Judge Scheindlin was taken Friday but was released on Monday.

Tony Mirenda, a spokesman for Moody's, said the complaints were unfounded, and that still recent allegations would be considered inadmissible in turn. 

Standard & Poor's, John Piecuch, spokesman, said similarly that the latest complaints were inconsistent with previous court decisions.

S & P rating is the Greek CCC, outlook stable

Standard & Poor's said Wednesday raising the rating to CCC from the Greek sovereign debt, which is no longer so in default, a decision no surprise since the country has reduced its liabilities by about a third after a debt restructuring complex and unprecedented.

S & P maintains this climate speculative grade ("junk") and warned that a deep recession, the unpredictable outcome of the elections on May 6 and wrath of public opinion against the austerity could threaten the efforts of Athens to redress its finances.

S & P, which matched the rating with a stable outlook, provides that Greek sovereign debt will remain high over the next three years, around 160 to 170% of GDP. 

"The rating could be degraded if we believe that a forced exchange on what remains of the Greek private debt appears likely," the agency said in a statement.

Fitch was the first to recover the note by assigning a B-to Greece in the middle of March, after the establishment of the exchange procedure which reduced about 100 billion sovereign debt of the country and cost the private bondholders most of their assets.

S & P warned in February that it would report surely the Greek notes to CCC, upon completion of the exchange procedure.

Moody's is now the only agency to keep Greece in zone fault (likely in his case). She said it would review his notes "on time" but that any recovery would remain limited.

New record borrowing by Portuguese banks to the ECB

The amount borrowed by the Portuguese banks to the European Central Bank increased by 18% in March compared to February to reach a record $ 56.3 billion, said Monday Lusitanian central bank.

This amount far exceeds the previous record of 49.1 billion borrowed in a month reached in August 2010, before Lisbon accepts a plan to help the IMF and the European Uni ; enemies.

According to Teresa Gil Pinheiro, chief economist at Banco BPI, the increase recorded in March was partly explained by the strong participation of Portuguese banks for refinancing proposed by the European Central Bank.

In December and February, she put on the market a total of over 1,000 billion euros. 

This strong growth also reflects the reluctance of banks in the euro area, who are reluctant to lend to each other.

Qatar pushes his plan to help the French suburbs

The investment fund of 50 million proposed by Qatar to finance entrepreneurs wait suburbs. The emirate has decided to let the elections.

Widely criticized for its many investments in France, Qatar has decided to postpone until after the elections in France to launch a controversial investment fund of 50 million euros to help commuters, it was elected officials learned of Diversity, confirming a report in figaro.fr.

The National Association of Elected Local Diversity (Aneld), who obtained this commitment after a mission to Qatar where she was received by the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, "hoped that this initiative is not exploited by political parties, "said its president Kamal Hamza, alderman (UMP) in Courneuve (Seine-Saint-Denis). "We want this to happen in the healing and not in controversy," he told AFP while the Qatari initiative has been criticized, including by Marine Le Pen.

"There is a very strong influence of foreign countries wishing development of Muslim fundamentalism and I wonder very strongly the bonds of friendship between Nicolas Sarkozy (French President) and the Emir of Qatar that has been allowed to invest 50 million euros in the French suburbs, "said the president of the National Front. Saturday, a few hundred young activists identity of "Apache Project" showed Place de l'Opera in Paris against "the acquisition of France by Qatar." For its part, the interior minister, Claude Gueant, found the initative as "salutary effort since there is no particular requirement of any kind".  

The emirate's ambassador in Paris, Mohamed Al-Kuwari Jahan, announced in December the fund of 50 million euros to finance economic projects by residents of the suburbs of France, explaining that s 'was not "charity" but of establishing partnerships in projects "serious" and "solid". A commission of experts should be established to evaluate the projects.

More generally, the tiny emirate is a privileged economic and financial partner of France. He just bought 1% of LVMH, and 2% of Total has increased to 12.8% its stake in Lagardere.

Wall Street shows signs of slowing

Wall Street has stalled Wednesday, impeded in its progress begun several months ago by declining sectors associated with macroeconomic risks, such as finance and energy.

The Dow Jones Industrial 30 yielded 0.35%, or 45.57 points, to 13,124.62. The S & P-500, wider, lost 2.63 points, or 0.19%, to 1402.89. The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.17, however, points (+0.04%) to 3,075.32.

The S & P 500 benchmark index fund managers, however, retains a gain of approximately 12% since the beginning of the year.

"We reached a plateau, but basically, the deal has not changed (…) There could be a setback but I see the stock market to grow to 1,430 or 1,450 items, "said Joe Benanti, CEO of Rosenblatt Securities, referring to the level of the S & P 500.

The former real estate sales declined in February against all expectations in the U.S. and inventories of unsold homes increased, according to data released Wednesday by the National Federation of Officers Real Estate (NAR). 

This statistic interrupts a recent run of good macroeconomic indicators and a reminder that the housing market, considered key to a sustainable recovery in the U.S., is still not completely out of case.

Despite rising oil prices, the S & P energy grouping values ​​fell 1.04%. That financial stocks lost 0.43% after rising on nine of the last 10 sessions.

"Some parts make me say that we are perhaps at the beginning of a correction of up to 4%: the relative poor performance of industrial and energy , the reversal of financial, "said Seth Setrakian, co-leader of the U.S. equities department at First New York Securities.

"Investors are waiting in general the beginning of a new quarter to regain some of their beads. This can happen earlier if everyone expects the same thing. "

In a note to clients, Goldman Sachs said, however, that the prospects for equity market returns, compared to bonds, are the best in a generation

. "Given the current valuations, we think it should say" goodbye for a long time "for obligations and start" buying long "on shares," said the middle .. The title

……. Oracle fell 2.29% to 29.41 dollars after posting its quarterly results yesterday, marked s in a drop in revenue from hardware sales. 

The action Hewlett-Packard for its part, yielded 2.17% to 23.46 dollars after the software giant announced the merger of its divisions PCs and printers as part of a major reorganization designed to generate savings and boost growth.

The Nasdaq Composite Index, heavily weighted in technology, however, was brought up by 2.46% to 13.72 of the action after the developer Zynga online game announced ; redeem OMGPOP, the manufacturer of the game popular "Draw Something".

The OECD sees Hungary falling into recession in 2012

The economy of Hungary will switch into recession this year, says OECD, which urges the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban to pass a financial agreement with international organizations and to take further measures to reduce the budget deficit.

Echoing the European Commission, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development also takes note of "controversial measures taken by the Hungarian government (which) have made exacerbate the uncertainty on the confidence of businesses, households and markets. " 

"Overall, the economy should be in recession in early 2012 before a modest recovery in the second half of this year because of a slight upturn in confidence and improved financial and economic conditions worldwide, "the OECD wrote in a report released Tuesday.

The OECD expects GDP to contract by 0.6% Hungarian, and this year a growth of 1.1% in 2013. Budapest projected growth of 0.5% in 2012.

The Hungarian authorities have two main challenges, says OECD: stabilizing the economy and restore growth in the long term structural reforms.

"An agreement with multilateral organizations to help restore confidence and facilitate the necessary reorganization of public finances," says the OECD. "It also would ease the burden of debt in foreign currencies by stabilizing the exchange rate."

To stabilize the forint, which fell over 20% since mid-2008, to 292 per euro on Tuesday, the Orban government wants to conclude a funding agreement with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund by the end of the second quarter. But he objects to certain conditions set by the European Commission to open discussions.

EU officials believe that the deficit in Hungary could reach 3.6% of GDP in 2013 if Budapest is not taking new provisions, a view espoused by the OECD.

"Despite a relatively favorable fiscal position, the recent deterioration of the underlying balance requires additional efforts, beyond the measures planned for 2012," says the OECD.

The Organization also recommends that "in 2013 replacing the windfall tax on banks by taxing less distorting."

Changes to the law governing the central bank, including certain appointment procedures "derogate clearly best practice", also says the OECD. 

The central bank independence must be guaranteed in accordance with international obligations of Hungary, said she.

The Fed estimates that the U.S. economy grew at a moderate pace

The Federal Reserve estimates that the U.S. economy grew at a moderate pace from January to mid February, the hiring is being légé ; LY accelerated in many parts of the United States.

In the beige book of the U.S. central bank, released Wednesday, the Fed also notes some improvements in the property sector although, overall, the tone is as careful as in the pre ; cédente edition of this document.

"The conditions in the housing market have improved somewhat in most districts," we read in the paper.

Manufacturing is one who is doing best, with most of the 12 Fed districts with a rise in new orders.

Holland-Sarkozy: relive the duel of the "saviors of plants"

In the match that opposed them remotely Friday field of employment, Nicolas Sarkozy announced at the Petit Couronne do restart the refinery Petroplus temporary while in Florange, Francois Hollande has proposed to oblige companies to find a buyer. Relive the game minute by minute.

This afternoon, a new match was held at a distance between Nicolas Sarkozy, visiting the Petroplus refinery in Petit Couronne, and François Hollande, who moves in Florange to meet with employees of Arcelor Mittal. Two strategic locations in the field of employment. The outgoing president has announced a 6 month contract with Shell and restart the refinery. The Socialist candidate, himself, proposed a law requiring companies to find a buyer when leaving a site. Back to the duel of "saviors of plants".

2:05 p.m.: Arcelor Mittal is dismissed by the High Court of his application for entry ban to anyone outside the service in its application was primarily site.Cette the many journalists covering the occupation of the site by employees.

14:00: Nicolas Sarkozy said that would be discussed next week in Parliament a bill to prevent the diversion of assets of a failing firm, regarding the Petroplus oil declared bankrupt since late January.

14:00: "Now we need you to fight for the more difficult is that the buyer", said also the head of state. There are 3 or 4 buyers interested [...] So far we have not yet found "

. 1:52 p.m.: With regard to the financing, the president ensures that for two months of work needed to restart the refinery, "was 50 million. The 20 million were transferred to the state, 10 million will come through quotas CO ², and the other 20 million cash avanace Schell in "

1:50 p.m. "Last night later, we signed a processing contract, which guarantees refining activities for a period of 6 months. If there was no contract, it was over. The oil company will provide the gross pay and the cost of processing.

1:40 p.m.: Francois Hollande reacted to the news of Nicolas Sarkozy: "It is in fact only get the former owner of the site. This is going to the most urgent."

1:20 p.m.: "I am a word. It is signed" with Shell, said Nicolas Sarkozy, adding: "I'm not saying it saves the refinery, but it is signed, it makes the job for six months ".  

Holland made two proposals

1:18 p.m.: Holland wishes to clarify that he came as an MP, and is prepared to file a bill: "When a large firm does more than one production unit but does not give the, we will do a bill that will force him to appeal to buyers. " Another proposal: the businesses that use too much to pay the interim benefit of unemployment contributions. He is applauded by employees.

1:10 p.m.: The Socialist candidate speaks. He says he wants to defend the steel industry, "sector of excellence". "I come before you to make commitments. I am aware of the anguish that is yours." He adds, to the attention of its competitors: "There are candidates and candidates of the people who claim to serve the people"

13.00: Francois Hollande arrived at the plant Arcelor Mittal, where he has not spoken yet. It stands in the middle of union representatives, who express their demands, after climbing a truck.

12:45: The president finally arrives on the site. Francois Hollande, is always expected Florange.

11:50: The PS deputy for Seine-Maritime, Laurent Fabius, was invited by surprise on the Petroplus refinery site to welcome Nicolas Sarkozy.

11:45: Nicolas Sarkozy will meet in closed session with the staff representatives and administrators of the Petroplus refinery.

Faced with a record unemployment rate since 1999 that is almost symbolic of the 3 million people, the head of state has recently invested personally in two emblematic cases of companies threatened: the Lejaby lingerie factory Yssingeaux (Haute-Loire) and the solar panel manufacturer Photowatt to Bourgoin (Isère). Candidate since Feb. 15 to a second term, Nicolas Sarkozy made a record of his two electoral argument to illustrate his determination to protect "the France of the factories". "If I had said as they (the Socialists) + we + can not do anything, Alstom would no longer exist, Photowatt we do speak of it and Lejaby would have been wiped off the map", he said Thursday at a public meeting in Lille.

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