The month of August begins on sound footing, after a month of July under the sign of the rally. Wall Street has indeed the balance Friday night, but after a volatile session. The Dow Jones has sold just 0.01% at 10,466 points, but has had its best monthly performance (7.18%) last year. The Nasdaq was awarded 0.13% to 2255 points. In July, the Nasdaq and the Standard & Poor'500 have earned 6.9%.

The slowdown, confirmed the U.S. economy, however, has influenced the trend.In fact, the Commerce Department announced preliminary second quarter GDP rose just 2.4% annualized, while the consensus was expecting 2.5 and he had grown more openly 3.7% first quarter. Traders are still welcomed other indicators more encouraging: the Chicago PMI for July was well above expectations (even if relapse at its lowest since November 2009) and the final index of consumer sentiment for July improved slightly although it remains a net withdrawal a month.

On Monday, investors showed they appreciated the performance of enterprises. The KBW index of bank took 1.69%, encouraged by the strong results presented today by BNP Paribas and HSBC.

The ISM manufacturing index is expected with caution

On the face of macroeconomic indicators, meanwhile, on Friday, the U.S. employment report, investors will closely monitor the publication at 16:00 on Monday, the ISM manufacturing index for July (consensus 54) index ISM activity in the industry, which could either be moderating further, but also show that on Monday the 12th consecutive month of growth in manufacturing output. It could increase by 54.6% against 56.2% previously. It also is known that at 16:00 the index of construction spending for June, due in slight decline of -0.5% against -0.1% previously.

"Employment and consumer credit (Friday) will be crucial electronic check payday advance.Other market movers are, unsurprisingly, the two ISM surveys, analysts said Aurel Bgc. Investors have "overreacted" to last week regional surveys, which are very volatile … The ISM manufacturing index, released today, will determine the market trend over the week. "

Latest quarterly publications before the summer break

On the corporate side, no new publication will boost the morale of investors. Indeed, the largest quarterly publications arrive this week to an end, on both sides of the Atlantic after the accounts variously appreciated Merck, Chevron, McAfee or Friday, "recently published expected these days This should provide some important information and news on different sectors of activity, analysts said Aurel Bgc.

This week will publish in fact the computer services company VeriSign (Monday), and Electronic Arts, as well as Pfizer, Dow Chemical, Procter & Gamble (Tuesday).It will then turn to Time Warner (Wednesday) and Kraft Foods and Viacom (Thursday).

The investors also will keep an eye on the pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Meyers, and the other on the pharmaceutical distributor CVS Caremark, who will pay interim dividends.

In the news this Monday, Ford (1.63% to 12.98 U.S. dollars) has announced having completed the sale of the Volvo automobile brand and related assets in China Zhejiang Geely to $ 1 8 billion.

Walt Disney (-1.75% to 34.28 dollars) will also be closely watched after the announced sale of its studio Miramax for more than 660 Million Dollars to Filmyard Holdings.

The acquisition of Alico by the insurer MetLife (-0.45% to 41.87 dollars) will not bring much to the insurer that he had hoped and the latter announced Monday a program to increase capital to finance this acquisition.First life insurance company in the U.S., MetLife now expects an increase in its annual operating profit of between 40 and 45 cents per share. The group had initially estimated that the acquisition of Alico would be accretive to its results between 45 cents to 55 cents per share in 2011.

"The European Commission has decided to open formal antitrust investigations against IBM Corporation in two separate cases of alleged breaches of EU rules on abuse of dominant position in the market," said the EU executive in a statement.

"The two cases," she added, "are related to behavior of IBM in the market for central servers," which weighs, equipment and operating systems including about 8.5 billion worldwide, including three billion in the European Economic Area.

The central servers are powerful computers used by many large companies and government institutions in the world to store and process critical information.

The software manufacturers penalized

The first investigation follows complaints filed against IBM by two vendors say emulation technology, the U.S. in Q3 2009 and the French Hercules Turbo this year. According to these two companies, the software giant would link its central server hardware and its own operating system these servers.

IBM, by not allowing customers the freedom to use the systems of their choice on the equipment of their choice, would penalize manufacturers of software to improve performance on computers of other brands.

As to the second inquiry, the Commission stated that it was launched on its own initiative.Its services suspect indeed a "discriminatory conduct" IBM "vis-à-vis its competitors who provide maintenance services of central servers" fast payday loan no faxing."By restricting or delaying access to spare parts that IBM is the sole supplier, American society, Brussels is concerned, could foreclose its competitors from the market.

Two investigations "without merit" for IBM

The U.S. computer giant, IBM, Judge "without merit" the two investigations announced Monday by the European Commission for abusing its dominant position in the market for central servers, a market "for it was dead" until recently.

In a statement, IBM claims that "there are few, experts in high technology and IBM's competitors were pronounced dead at the central server market", and "many companies abandoned it or developing alternatives" .

Conversely, "IBM has taken a crucial decision: to invest billions of dollars" in this technology "to bring him an unprecedented level of speed, reliability and security for the enterprise market," the statement added. He continued: "Today, the central server market is a small niche in the highly competitive landscape of servers," he says.

IBM therefore accuses "some competitors who have not been able to earn their place on the market through investments" to want to do this using regulators. "The accusations against IBM TurboHercules and T3 are driven by some of the biggest competitors of IBM, led by Microsoft, (…) who want to emulate certain aspects of IBM mainframe servers without having to make substantial investments IBM has done and continues to do, "concludes the group. "They thus violate its intellectual property."

The issuance volume of prepaid titles, the key measures for the sector, up by 7.5% to 6.615 billion euros in the first half, in line with the annual target growth of 6% to 14% in the medium term set by the group.

The activity was led by Latin America region, which posts revenue up 4.9% to 181 million euros. "The strong growth in operational activity in Latin America offsets an economic environment still difficult in Europe," notes the group.This region is indeed a cash decrease of 5.3% to 79 million euros over the same period.

The turnover of the financial group fell from 25.6% to 39 million euros, weighed down by "the low level of interest rates," according Edenred.

Chouchou brokers

Edenred, which develops on land Sodexo, Compass Group or Mastercard and Visa, should still jump on the stock exchange after advertising 100% free credit report. Introduced last July 2 at a reference price of 11.40 euros, still have won titles this Monday 1.37% to 13.30 euros, giving a market capitalization of around three billion euros.

The new entity has the benefit of brokers. Most recently, Goldman Sachs who recommends buying the title with a target price of 18 euros."Edenred should long-term growth and profitability linkage, analysts also noted the CM-CIC Securities. The broker Aurel bgc, hailed for its part "the potential for development" on the market for vouchers.

For the second half, Edenred does not change in sight. "It follows the same trend. In Europe, we do not see the restart of employment, which is a trigger of our volumes, "said CEO Jacques Stern during a conference call.

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Uncertainty remains high: the compressed oil, trapped in the wells blocked by the funnel, eventually creating gaps and spread back into the ocean.According to Thad Allen, head of operations against the oil spill administration, BP must conduct further tests because the measured pressure does not allow to draw definitive conclusions about what is happening inside the well.

High pressure would suggest that well resistance is good and there is no leakage. Low pressure instead leave thinking that oil escaping elsewhere. Admiral Allen said that the pressure increased from 0.1 to 0.6 bar per hour, which was a good sign. But Friday, the level of pressure in the well still left casts "doubt on the possible existence of a leak." On Saturday, Vice President of BP, however, that the pressure inside the well had continued to increase."The fact that the pressure continues to mount gives us more confidence that the test works," he added, stressing that the data are "quite" in the range predicted by the engineers.

The extended testing

As a precaution, the oil company said Saturday it would extend the period of initial testing prévuepour last 48 hours. "We continue in phases of six hours each time. If there is a change in the way we do, we will announce it, "said Mark Salt, a spokesman for BP at the end of this period.

If the test proves successful the well will remain closed until the risk of leak is definitely ruled out by injecting concrete through a relief well. An operation could be completed in early August.However, if a leak is detected, the valve will be reopened and the oil will be pumped to surface ships.

"If we decide to reopen the pit, oil drain into the Gulf for some time," said Mr. Wells, the time to connect the pumping lines at the wellhead. This would obviously a major failure for the oil group that tries since the end of April to contain the largest oil spill in U.S. history.

Since April 22, nearly 520 million gallons of crude that would have flowed into the ocean, estimated Tuesday the International Energy Agency. Even if the leak was finally stopped, Deepwater would remain one of the worst oil spills in history (see graphic below), a nightmare to $ 3.5 billion for BP and irreparable ecological catastrophe.

The global study was conducted among 136,000 people in 132 countries between 2005 and 2006. His basic premise: there are two definitions of happiness. On the one hand, happiness linked to a sense of well-being. On the other, that which is derived from specific moments of joy.If the first definition depends largely on personal income and wealth of the state in which one lives, the second responds rather to how psychological and social needs of all are met, the researchers said Gallup.

Yet with the highest GDP per capita in the world (46,400 dollars per capita, according to the CIA), the U.S. can only 16th in the ranking prepared by Gallup in regard to the general welfare, and only in 26th position out of 132 in terms of moments of satisfaction. The Americans were upstaged by the Danes, who are happiest with a general point of view, and by New Zealanders, who are champions of the moments of joy. Far from the United States, Denmark is the 31st worldwide in terms of GDP per capita ($ 36,000 in 2009) and New Zealand 51st (to 27,300 dollars), according to CIA data.

The importance of social relationships

"While enriched with a sense of general satisfaction on his life, it is perhaps not as big an impact than we imagine how we appreciate each moment," says Ed Diener, a researcher at the University of Illinois and in Gallup. The researcher stresses the importance of "quality of social relations" in the lives of everyone. He cites, for example, Costa Rica, despite income levels below those of South Korea, would have a population happier.

One issue that has also gained ground in France. To determine the limits of GDP as an indicator of social progress, President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 mandated a committee chaired by Professor Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize in economics.Its report, delivered in late 2009, believes that there is often "a gap between declared, first, the usual measures of major socio-economic variables such as growth, inflation, unemployment, etc.., And, Moreover, widespread perceptions of these realities. " The Committee also questioned "the relevance of these data as a tool to measure societal well-being."

The adage has limits

For example, northern Europe and Anglo-Saxon beautiful lie on top of the global economic scale, these areas have nothing to envy of Latin America, which is relatively well positioned in the rankings of Gallup . This reasoning, however, limits. "Many if not most people want and run after money for most of their days, in fact, admit the authors of the study.Unsurprisingly, the countries of Africa's poorest arrive back of the pack, and this, in the two rankings of happiness!

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In contrast, Hong Kong, the trend is clearly down because the benchmark Hang Seng yield 1.38%. In Australia, the Sydney Stock Exchange ahead slightly (+0.1%).

The mining stocks rose

In Tokyo, the market is mainly guided by higher mining shares following the downward revision of tax on the profits of these companies decided by the Australian government. This has encouraged new JX Holdings Inc., an oil refiner and producer of copper jumped 3.5%.Inpex, oil explorer, rose 3.2%. Komatsu, the largest manufacturer of earthmoving Asia, gaining 1.5%.

In contrast, the values are auto oriented down significantly, especially for Honda (-1.89%) and Toyota (-2.27%), after the monthly statistics considered disappointing sales in the United States.

Evolution contrast to oil

On the oil market, crude prices were mixed in electronic trading. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for August delivery gained 18 cents to 73.13 dollars a barrel, while Brent North Sea for delivery in August, yielding six cents to 72.28 dollars. Oil prices fell Thursday in New York on a market worried that sent the barrel under $ 73.

Volatility remains high on the market

Investors remain nervous about the possibility that the slower recovery of the global economy becomes more pronounced. On Friday afternoon will be known monthly unemployment statistics in the United States before the opening of Wall Street. They could reflect a deterioration of the labor market for the first time since December, according to economists.

The indicators Thursday were accentuated anxieties of investors. The ISM index of activity in the manufacturing sector declined more than expected to 56.2%. On the front real estate, the promise of selling homes fell more than expected in May (-30%). In China also, the two indices of purchasing managers showed a slowdown in manufacturing activity in June

In the first letter in mid-May, Gerard Bekerman, the president of the Afer, had laid the groundwork.The association would make every effort to try to help savers to recover 92 million that the court had decided to confiscate the former leaders. But to get more (the total damage is estimated at 250 million euros), investors should only engage the battle in court. Collective actions are not allowed in France, considers Afer being unable to lead the fight to them.

Mediation proposed

But a few days ago, in another letter, the president went further Bekerman. It offers a mediation "under the responsibility of an independent and indisputable," which "could lead to a financial proposal" probably by the end of the year. The association will stop there. Each member will have to act individually whether to be better compensated.

These proposals indignant SOS principles Afer.The latter, led by Francis Nocaudie, would love to take Afer leading the fight shoulder and at least the action of members no fax payday loans. It invites Afer to turn against the insurer of the contract, Aviva believes it civilly liable for the actions of former executives of the association, and more solvent than Gerard Andre Le Saux or Mathias. SOS Principles Afer the opportunity to mention the loss of independence of the association vis-à-vis the insurer. In recent weeks, the tone is mounted between Francis Nocaudie and current leaders Afer. The first, after asking the court to postpone the general meeting, expected to require the cancellation. Motive? The poor presentation of the resolutions announced by his association, while those of Afer were well developed.And most importantly, the difficulty for members to give him authority to vote on their behalf. "If the power is valid, it was necessary to mention the zip code of my home, that few members know," he says.

Still in question, the insurer Aviva remains silent. Even if, for the debates which agitate Afer today, a lawyer for life insurance, Mr. Lecoq Vallon not hesitate to resurface an old case appropriately. It is indeed in conflict about a company's old contract, which permitted to invest in stocks during the previous week. An investment to "known price" that proved a boon for investors, and difficult for the insurer. "Many court decisions have sided with the investors who had signed the contract and can not benefit," explains Mr. Nicolas Lecoq Vallon.He estimated that 34 million euros provisioned by Aviva to address disputes are insufficient given the amounts involved in that case.

The deal is simple: the U.S. and 2% of the world population, consume nearly 22% of the world's oil. They are well produced 7.1 million barrels per day last year (8.5% of world production), but must import about 60% of their needs.

A carbon market

Since the beginning of his mandate, Barack Obama defends climate energy bill, stalled in Congress. Precisely for Obama rally Republican senators, one month before the spill, had conceded the oil lobby to lift the ban on oil drilling in Atlantic and Pacific instant payday loan. Before declaring a new disaster in six-month moratorium.Giving due to 32 oil companies that had filed an appeal, a judge in Louisiana quashed yesterday, this moratorium. The White House immediately announced its intention to appeal.

The Democratic majority hopes tying a new version of the bill by the month of July. The text, in its latest release, provides a carbon market to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from industry and, among other provisions, the nuclear revival.

No matter that the oil spill as an excuse to create an energy tax, has won Sunday's Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, where every vote counts.

Barack Obama is still riding the wave sticky to push his advantage. It should meet on Wednesday a group of Senate Republicans and Democrats to find a new compromise on the law.Without waiting for Congress, the Administration Obama has already made progress in diversifying its energy sources.

But the boss of the International Monetary Fund had especially in mind the "Greek case". "There is no simple solution," he admitted."Everyone can understand that I will not give many details about Greece because we are just beginning to negotiate." Asked about a possible "restructuring of public debt", he replied that "it is not a question on which we work. " The opposite would have been surprising.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been more incisive about what should be the main topic of discussion of the G20 Finance Ministers, held on Friday, namely the financial sector reforms."In many areas, such as rating agencies, trading over the counter (derivatives), hedge funds, which has been announced if implemented by the United States, Europeans, Japanese is simply incoherent fast payday loan. "

DSK will strike while the iron is hot and play the full role of coordinator who is the IMF's mandate. "We have a political pressure in most countries, the United States and the European Union to ask governments to move faster.". He took the opportunity to condemn the so called "Basel II on bank capital and the development of which" has taken twelve years.

Two proposed fee

This warning is "advanced countries", the only ones whose banking systems have been failing during the crisis of 2008-2009.It is accompanied by an IMF report, whose first draft will be discussed by finance ministers. DSK summed himself three themes: "The rules of liquidity and capital, systemic risk, and the resolution mechanism (failure)."

The study recommends the introduction of fees. The one on the balance sheets of financial institutions, to supply a mattress of rescue funds. The other tax, sitting on profits and wages, would be to share the burden of public budgets. The IMF, however, rejects the hypothesis of a Tobin tax on financial transactions. It does not contribute to financial stability or to fight against the excessive risks taken.

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"Banking: Crime and punishment

Why? Because they fear being punished by the stock market investors, who watch carefully the amounts of debts and, thus, the risk levels of a bank. And also because they fear that the ratings agencies are reviewing their notes down overnight pay day loans. What would frighten investors Exchange.

In fact, between two publications, the debts are upgraded in the accounts.In the end, nothing illegal, writes the WSJ Online, which emphasizes that while some complained of the banks confirmed this tinkering, representatives of Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup, have made no comment.

The spokesman for Bank of America has however stressed that "efforts made to manage our balance sheet size are suitable, and these strategies are compatible with the rules and accounting standards.