The G20 will take stock of the resources of the IMF in April

The G20 finance ministers, meeting this weekend in Mexico City, engaging in a statement in April to review progress made in strengthening the resources of International Monetary Fund, said on Saturday from a source of G20.

The source said the draft statement, which must be finalized during meetings scheduled in Mexico this weekend, made loans and bilateral borrowing arrangements options for improve the firepower of the IMF.

"Progress in this strategy will be discussed at the next ministerial meeting in April," the draft communique quoted by the source. These reports were confirmed to Reuters by another official of the G20.

The IMF wants more than double its capacity to respond by raising $ 600 billion of new resources to deal with the consequences of the crisis of sovereign debt within the eurozone. This project creates a reluctance in some countries, foremost among them the United States and Canada.

Mexico, who chairs the G20, has pushed for the issue of IMF resources is discussed along with the initiatives that the Europeans could be taken to resolve the crisis sovereign debt, at the meeting of finance ministers and central bankers this weekend in Mexico City.

Some countries indicated that no discussion on the strengthening of IMF resources could be envisaged as the Europeans have not strengthened their own firewall to stem the debt crisis, an issue they must be discussed at the European Council of March 1 and 2.

Women earn 20% less than men

In 2009 women earned on average 20% less than men in the private sector in working time equivalent, according to latest figures from INSEE. This is due largely to different qualifications. However, even within each occupational category, the differences remain. Of employees in an office in Caracas Noticias24.com website.

In 2009 women earned on average 20% less than men in the private sector in working time equivalent, according to latest figures from INSEE showed on Wednesday. "In 2009, the average net salary in full-time equivalent for women is 80% of men in the private sector and 87% in the public sector," wrote the Statistical Institute. The conclusion was the same for 2008. "This is due partly to a structure different skills," said INSEE, "for example, 19% of men are employees of private frameworks against only 12% of women." However, even within each occupational category, "gaps remain," added INSEE survey in the "Jobs and wages".

Among managers of private, women's wages is less than 23% and 21% in the public, illustrates INSEE, noting that the gap "can be partly explained by an effect of glass ceiling + +, but also by other elements such as choice of specialty training, industry or career paths. " This wage gap among executives is "much less important in under 25 than among older people," adds the INSEE, which also notes that the differences "are lower in other occupational categories."  

Women are more part-time

A study by the Directorate of Coordination of Research, Studies and Statistics (DARES, Ministry of Labour) in 2008 and published on 2006, frequently cited, noted 27% of gross wage gap in the private sector (about 17% in hourly wages, working time to be equal). The gender differences are also visible in the activity rate and working time. If 70% of the population aged between 15 and 64 is active as defined in International Labour Office (worked, not even one hour during a given week), the figure drops to 66, 1% for women and up to 75% for men.

This gap is much reduced between 1975 and 2009 from 31 points to 9 "under the combined effects of rising female participation rates and a decline in male activity." He explains "a large part" by the presence of young children at home "for families of two children with one (or more) is less than three years, the participation rate of mothers is 54% while that of fathers is 92%. " Finally, women are more often part-time, which only partly explained by the presence of children. "Even among the employed and childless, the proportion of women working part time is 17 points higher than men." "This is so very often involuntary part-time, women are likely to work in the service sector where the use of part-time by companies structurally important", said INSEE yet.

Slight decline in European stock markets in early trade

European shares opened slightly lower Tuesday after Moody's decision to lower the perspective of the AAA rating of certain European countries, including France and the UK , and lower that of six states, including Spain, Italy and Portugal.

The Moody's decision weighs on market sentiment already dominated by concerns about the ability of Athens to carry out drastic austerity measures required by its lenders in exchange for a new aid plan.

"It is clear that (the decision by Moody's) do not change the deal, but they come at a time when investors are asking questions about risky assets, following a period of strong growth" said Chris Weston, institutional trader at IG Markets. 

The euro and British pound lost ground against the dollar after this announcement, as the yen after a new policy easing by the Bank of Japan.

The day will be full of economic indicators including the German ZEW index and industrial production in the eurozone, as well as new auctions of sovereign debt in Europe.

In the afternoon, investors expect sales to particular details of the U.S. in January and business inventories for December.

The Paris CAC 40 index yields 0.3% to 3,374.97 points in early trade, the German Dax lost 0.1%, the UK FTSE 0.16% and the pan-European index STOXX 50 was down 0.18%.

Bank stocks in Europe (-0.57%) are among the largest declines, with insurers (-0.53%) and commodities (-0.8%). 

In Paris, BNP Paribas lost 2.7%, largest drop in the CAC 40, followed by Credit Agricole (-1.64%) and Societe Generale (-1.5%).

Alcatel-Lucent continues to rise they began Friday after the publication of its first profit since 2006, and earns 4% plus increase in the CAC.

L'Oreal takes 2.1% after posting results slightly exceeded expectations, marked by a recovery in margins, and have said "well armed (…) for another year of growth in turnover and results. "

The automotive market has collapsed from 20.7% in January

The French car market fell by 20.7% in January, falling to its lowest level for 14 years, the disappearance of the last scrappage sluggish economy and the sign for the sector a difficult first half. According to figures released Wednesday by the Committee of French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA), registrations in the Hexagon emerged last month at 147,143 units, almost 39,000 less that 'in January 2011. "This is a lowest since 1998. The bad controls are not in December registrations in January (…) The first half would be difficult," said Francois Roudier Wednesday , spokesman for the CCFA. Sales of light trucks fared better, but nevertheless signed the first decline for several months with a 2.5% decline in gross (-7% on CJO) to ; 32,707 units. "This is one more indicator of the economic context, an additional amber light came on," said Flavien Neuvy, Director of the Cetelem of the car. "The trend is bad for sales to individuals, but the climate gradient will also weigh on sales to companies," he added. Around 24:30, the values ​​are still car oriented upward, catching up after several sessions of declines. The European index sector is 2.6%, 2.1% Volkswagen, PSA and Renault 2.9% 3.4%. VERY GOOD MONTH FOR VOLKSWAGEN AND NISSAN The CCFA said that the builders who have benefited from the scrappage scheme have had their registrations plummeted. In addition, the prospect of the release of new models during the years attracted the attention of future customers, it adds. Car sales of PSA Peugeot Citroen last month fell 27.4%, while those of the Renault group tumbled 32.7% (-36.9% for the diamond brand and -10.5% for the low cost brand Dacia). In a statement, Renault blamed the decline in the ongoing renewal of its range, including the arrival of the Clio 4 in the fall. The Group nevertheless confirmed its target of a French market share close to 26.1% in 2011. Next PSA, Peugeot has also continued to be affected by pending the arrival of the 208, scheduled for spring. Other general, the Fiat brand saw its sales in France dropped by 40.9%. In contrast, German Volkswagen still has shot out of the game: Group registrations increased by 18.2%, and the only VW to 26.8% with a wide offensive in terms of products and prices. Nissan's partner Renault, meanwhile saw its sales under its own brand to increase by 19%, which allowed him to exceed the month Opel (GM group) by volume. Sign that sales may remain low for at least several months, PSA Peugeot Citroen announced Tuesday that production would be stopped a week at Mulhouse and Sochaux early March to "adapt the stocks at the request commercial ". Both sites, however, produce some best-sellers like the Peugeot 308 and 3008 and the Citroën C4 and DS4. PSA and Renault have said in recent weeks to expect a difficult environment in 2012. They expect a decline of at least 3% of the European market this year and down 5 to 8% of the French market.

The Swiss government said Wednesday it has chosen to renew its fighter fleet with 22 copies of the Saab Gripen of Sweden, preferred to Dassault Aviation's Rafale and the Eurofighter consortium which includes the European EADS.

Switzerland was launched three years ago the tender for the renewal of its fleet, now consisting of F-5E / F Tiger built by the American Northrop, whose older copies have been flying since 1976.

She originally planned to order up to 33 devices.

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Mario Draghi said that the primary purpose of the institution is price stability. He refuses to do more to assist States in the euro area, noting that the "credibility" of the ECB is at stake The Governor of the Bank of Italy, Mario Draghi, should succeed Jean-Claude Trichet as President of the European Central Bank.

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Mario Draghi Friday defended the independence of the institution subject to strong pressure to intervene financially better deal with the debt crisis, stressing that it was his "credibility" was at stake . "Our credibility implies the success of our monetary policy (consisting of) anchor the inflation outlook in the medium and long term (…) to sustain growth, job creation and financial stability.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange finished slightly higher

The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended slightly higher Friday, recovering from the fall of the day in favor of positions suggesting investors anticipate the possibility of a rebound despite the persistence of the debt crisis in Europe

The Nikkei gained 0.16% or 13.67 points to 8,514.47 while the Topix, larger yielded 1.17 points (-0.16%) to 729.13.

On the whole a week marked by a deepening debt crisis with the record level by the Italian sovereign bond yield, the two indices lost 3.3% and 3%.

Title Olympus finished down 4.96% to 460 yen after a volatile session.

Surprise increase in sales of Heineken in Q3

Heineken, the world's third largest brewer, reported Wednesday a surprise increase in the volume of beer sold and its sales in the third quarter, supported by the strength of African markets and a rebound in sales in Russia.

Revenues rose 0.6% to 4.65 billion euros against 4.51 billion euros expected on average by eight brokers polled by Reuters.

In August, the brewer warned that weak consumer confidence, combined with a sluggish summer, would affect earnings growth this year.He also maintained its forecast for net profit before exceptional items for 2011, saying it would be roughly consistent with the previous year.

In the third quarter, net income amounted to 525 million euros, an amount virtually unchanged from last year.

The title gained 1.24% to 0800 GMT, having reached in early trade a high of two months with an increase of 4.1%.

Doubts about the French in crisis Aaa European

The rating agency Moody's scratched on the first "triple A" French, by giving three months to assess its stable outlook, on a background of slower growth, crisis in the euro area and calls for a recapitalization of banks.

A nearly six months of the presidential election, the French authorities have once again assured Tuesday that they would do anything to keep the maximum score, which allows the country to finance at low cost, and promised new measures if needed.

But their room for maneuver seems limited because growth such as trust are affected globally in a context of anxiety in financial markets.

Bank stocks have fallen to the Paris Stock Exchange after the announcement of Moody's, while the yield on the French debt and insurance against the risk of default (CDS) rose, the yield spread between French and German debt (spread ) reaching a high for 16 years.

Moody's does not mention specifically the possibility of a perspective "negative" on the Aaa French, but if it were to lower the perspective, a downgrade could occur over the next two years.

"The 'triple A' is not in danger because we will answer these and we will be even ahead of the goals of deficit reduction," said French Finance Minister, Baroin, on France 2."If necessary, we will take steps for the appointment."

"We will make every effort not to be degraded," he added, noting that "we still have enough tax loopholes, if necessary, we will remove them."

GROWTH flu

The rating agency said in a statement: "In the next three months, Moody's will review and assess the stable outlook against the government's progress in the implementation of these measures (fiscal consolidation-Ed), taking into account all economic and market potential negative. "

Moody's also refers to the likely increase in the French contribution to the rescue of Greece and the prospect of a recapitalization of banks in the country, to which the State may need to participate.

"The deterioration in the debt figures and the possible emergence of new financial commitments put pressure on the stable outlook of the Aaa rating of the state" French, says the agency.

Engine of French public deficit, the country's growth next year should be much lower than the 1.75% forecast by the government, which may influence the path that should lead France to a deficit of 4 , 5% of GDP in 2012 and 3% in 2013, after 5.7% this year.

According to the survey conducted by Reuters with a score of economists, and they expect an average growth of 1.0% next year.

Baroin has for the first time said Tuesday that the objective of 1.75% was "probably too high."

Economists polled by Reuters Tuesday, believe that the economic downturn is the first threat to France and its sovereign rating, a threat reinforced by the possibility of further government intervention to resolve the crisis in the eurozone and strengthen the banks.

"The Triple A French is a little on the hot seat, especially if the French economy was facing a shock much deeper than what we anticipated," said Jean-Christophe Caffet, an economist at Natixis.

For Gilles Moec, an economist at Deutsche Bank, "the issue of growth is most important because it constitutes the core of the macroeconomic strategy of France.""The engine stalled, forcing more likely to act on the structural deficit."

Philippe Waechter, director of economic research at Natixis Asset Management, for its part said that "if growth is not expected robustness, the objective of reducing the budget deficit will not."

Jean-Louis Mourier, economist at Aurel Leven, said meanwhile that "bank recapitalization would impact the debt but the real problem is the trajectory of public finances and therefore growth."

PUZZLE AND EUROPEAN PRESIDENTIAL

Moody's notes that the level of debt of France is among the highest Aaa rated countries, while remaining content with a relatively low weight of the interests of debt to government revenue.

But the ability to fund high levels of debt "is based on investor confidence in the government's ability and willingness to cope with unexpected challenges," the agency said.

A situation even more critical that the chronic current account of France requires it to obtain financing from foreign investors.

François Fillon on Tuesday urged members to refrain from bidding on the draft budget for 2012, including the examination begins on Tuesday, with specific reference to the warning from Moody's.

"In this context, the budget debate must be exemplary," said the head of government before the UMP group, reported a number of members present at the meeting.

A weakening of the "triple A" French further complicate the resolution of the crisis in the eurozone, France, with Germany being the main contributor to the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), the European support fund, whose rating depends part of those of its contributors.

Beyond the EFSF, the European dynamic could be profoundly affected if the second largest economy in the euro area clinched the best student, Germany.

The threat of a possible negative watch placement of Aaa, should also limit a little more room for maneuver of the candidates in the presidential election of April-May

The Socialist candidate Francois Hollande and his family have announced that their action, if they win the presidency, will be dictated by the need to preserve the confidence of creditors of France.

Brussels, Paris and Luxembourg launched the dismantling of Dexia

Belgium, France and Luxembourg have Monday morning launched the plan to dismantle the Franco-Belgian bank Dexia, the first European victim size of the debt crisis in the euro zone, after a day and a night of marathon negotiations.

At the end of a board of about noon, the directors of the former world number one funding of local authorities have approved the nationalization of Belgium Belgian activities of Dexia, Dexia Bank Belgium (DBB) specializing in retail banking.

Belgium will pay to do this four billion euros.

"This sale will be finalized shortly," advised the bank."It will enable Dexia to reduce its need for short-term financing of over 14 billion euros, will improve the solvency of the group of more than 200 basis points and reduce its portfolio of non-strategic assets of 18 billion euros. "

Matignon has in turn made in a statement that France would lean financing activities of French local authorities of Dexia Municipal Agency (DexMA), French securitization structure owned by Dexia Credit Local, the Caisse des Depots (CDC).

A consortium of funding for French local authorities will also be created and established by the CDC and the Postal Bank, also indicate the services of the French Prime Minister Francois Fillon.

As part of the new rescue plan for Dexia, already saved from bankruptcy in 2008 with a public bailout of more than six billion euros, Belgium, France and Luxembourg have signed to provide 90 billion euros government guarantees to ensure the financing needs of Dexia.

NOT FOREVER IN DBB

"States have agreed to divide this guarantee in proportions similar to those of 2008, 60.5% for Belgium, 36.5% for France and 3% for Luxembourg," reported Matignon.

Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said at a news conference that Dexia would immediately pay a premium of 50 basis points in return for these guarantees.

The Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders said in that same press conference that the Belgian state, however, did not intend to stay forever in the capital of DBB.

Sunday morning before the meeting of a special board of Dexia, the French Prime Minister Francois Fillon met with his Belgian counterpart in Brussels and the Luxembourg Finance Minister, Luc Frieden, to find a agreement on modalities and participation of all three states.

"The three governments agreed to submit a proposal to the board that fits perfectly with the objectives of the Belgian Government, which involves taking control of Dexia Bank Belgium, secure and make it a bank very safe," he Yves Leterme said Sunday on Belgian television.?

The challenge for the three states participating in the plan was to ensure that aid does not come to Dexia worsen the situation of public finances.

The rating agency Moody's had also increased pressure on the Belgian camp Friday night: it has placed the sovereign rating of Aa1 kingdom under surveillance by explaining, among other things, will assess the costs and liabilities that the state could take Dexia in supporting.(See)

Didier Reynders has reported on this during the press conference that the debt / gross domestic product (GDP) of Belgium would remain below 100% despite the agreement of Dexia and said that the European authorities of the competition had been informed of the plan.

Dexia, the rating action has been suspended since Thursday, is at 9 am press conference to present the plan to dismantle the bank as it was approved by the directors.