Daily International Headlines

Phone calls at the highest level, video conferencing, round trips of crisis, the climb to the top of the euro appears more frantic Sunday every hour that passes. Nicolas Sarkozy made last night on an emergency trip from Frankfurt to tighten rope with Angela Merkel. But in the final meters, it is the Italy of Silvio Berlusconi could give a cold sweat in the common currency.

Ten days after his trip to Berlin, Nicolas Sarkozy visited on Wednesday in the financial capital of Germany for a further meeting with Angela Merkel. Officially, he came to pay tribute to Jean-Claude Trichet, who drew his bow at the head of the ECB. But in practice, to lock an agreement soon with the Chancellor. After a two-hour meeting nothing has filtered. The two leaders were released separately without comment. They looked tense.They rushed into their cars, to use the plane to Paris and Berlin.

The key issue – the appropriate role or not the European Central Bank in the financing of sovereign debt in support of the EFSF, the bailout funds in the euro area – remains still pending. France is clearly, even amending the Treaties. Germany has always been against the name of financial orthodoxy and independence considered sacrosanct by the ECB.

The question plagues the Paris-Berlin for months. At one hundred hours of a summit that everyone wants to believe decisive, it is especially doubt the strength of the Franco-German base on which the 17 partners of the euro and the 27 EU countries have establish a bulwark Sunday against the crisis and contagion."Monday morning he will have the markets, the United States, China and the IMF are convinced that Europe has a plan, a European official placed loose in the heart of the discussion. If there is no agreement, each European country will be reduced to playing individual survival. "

A "Mr Euro"

As a result, dramatically raised the bar for Sunday. Until recent days, Europeans thought solve problems in sequence: first Greece, then the recapitalization of banks with the strengthening of EFSF and economic governance coupled with greater budgetary discipline and finally the start of construction new treaties to push European integration. In an emergency, they say in Brussels, the Heads of State and Government will instead have to treat the whole as a whole.

Essential parts are already in place.Athens will release in the coming days with an 8 billion euro. She will spend the deadlines in November and avoid bankruptcy catastrophic for the euro. Unless dramatic, France and Germany also agreed on the recapitalization of banks. Governance side, it seems certain that the European Council President Herman Van Rompuy become "Mr. Euro ". The terms of the collective fiscal discipline and above the level of checks carried out by teams in each capital Brussels are still under debate. The case directly related to the revision of treaties, also raises serious questions of national sovereignty.

But against the backdrop of persistent differences between France and Germany regarding the bailout fund and the role of the ECB, it remains to organize the famous "against fire" in the euro area, ie to prevent the spread of the fire."It's reassuring to calm the Greek home. But that does not answer the real question posed by the market: what happens if other countries are in turn earned by the flames? ", Said the European official.

After degradation of Spain by Moody's and uncertainty on France by Standard & Poor's is Italy, the third power of the euro might come to haunt the summit. "Nobody talks about it openly, but everyone has the scenario of an Italian debacle in mind," said one senior source. After public criticism that its inertia creates the Italian employers, Silvio Berlusconi could be claimed Sunday accountable by their peers, they say in Brussels.

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Danone has published a quarterly revenue in line with expectations. At first, in the absence of good surprise, the valuation of Danone can call. The title pays more than 14 times earnings expected for 2012, while the CAC 40 builds about 8.2 times the estimated profit for 2012. "This is justified from the point where Danone is growing higher than the overall economy. The group offers products with high added value for the elderly and babies. It is well positioned in emerging markets, "says one fund manager.

We must also put into perspective the value of Danone with that of Nestlé. The Swiss giant capitalizes 15.6 times the expected result next year. The market welcomed by the superb performance in all segments, including the brilliant success of Nespresso, the subsidiary that specializes in luxury coffee.

Danone is perceived by the market as a growth and not as a "value", not valued due to lack of development prospects no fax pay day loans. The situation of Danone in terms of profitability is satisfactory. Operating margin exceeded 14% after the first half. Better still, it exceeds 20% in Asia.

Possible sale of the water industry

Still, Danone must win the market with new projects. In recent years, Danone has refocused on the markets of healthy nutrition and health. The group is poised to sell its water sector, reports Bloomberg. It is in talks with the Japanese Suntory. The water industry is about 17% of sales of Danone. Growth and profitability are slightly lower than the other branches of the group.Meanwhile, Danone could strengthen its nutrition industry with an acquisition.

In any case, it will not be possible to create value with a takeover bid. When Danone had been rumors of takeover by Pepsi, leaders such as politicians had split from a multitude of arguments, economic patriotism.

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"Good quarter for Danone

In the wake of the Board, who act the dismantling of Dexia between France and Belgium, Pierre Mariani, managing director of the bank and its president, Jean-Luc Dehaene, have defended their record this morning before the press and financial analysts. The two men had taken the reins of the Franco-Belgian bank in the fall of 2008, after his first save. They provide regret today that the crisis in the euro area has hastened the end of Dexia, without giving them time to continue their work of restructuring.

Pierre Mariani has promised that he would take "responsibility to the end", while taking care to separate the action of the fall of Dexia. The bankruptcy of the institution was caused by the "strategic errors of the previous management," he said.The latter had acquired all of the huge bond portfolio of Dexia, the source of his difficulties refinancing. She even continued to invest until the summer of 2008. Jean-Luc Dehaene has evoked the astonishment of Pierre Mariani when he arrived at Dexia, discovering that he took the lead, not a bank but "a hedge fund." Both men stressed the work done. Pierre Mariani does not regret having accelerated the process of asset sales earlier this year. He said that if states had to refinance the portfolio of Dexia at the time of the rescue of 2008, they would not have had to mobilize 90 billion euros, but 300 billion.

On-balance sheet Dexia has not withstood the pressure of the crisis in the euro area, pleads management.Pierre Mariani said that all banks had received government recommendations, requiring them to maintain their exposure to debt of peripheral European countries in order not to further destabilize the country. "The group may have been naive in following these recommendations," he conceded. In the short term, the surveillance of Moody's and "repeated rumors during the last week have increased the pressure on the financing of the group."

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Credit Agricole took over the Cac 40. The title wins more than 6% at the Paris Stock Exchange to 6.60 euros. Investors welcomed the results of the second quarter of the group, better than expected.

In July, Crédit Agricole said that the participation of the bank in terms of aid to Greece and the operations of its subsidiary Emporiki, the country would have an impact of up to 850 million euros on its performance in the second quarter. Finally, the load is lighter than expected: Greece does not cost "only" 640 million euros on quarterly Credit Agricole. A load that is distributed as follows: 202 million euros (146 million after tax) for impairment of securities of the Greek states and 494 million for the goodwill of the Emporiki Bank (2006).However, the debt problem gecque led the market value of Crédit Agricole in a dramatic decline: its stock has lost nearly 35% of its value since the beginning of the year.

These results confirm the long-term goals

As for results, the bank has indeed announced Thursday a net profit after minority interests fell by 10.6% to 339 milion euros in the second quarter versus the same period in 2010. But this is higher than expected by analysts who had forecast a quarterly profit of 193 million euros. BNP Paribas and Societe Generale were published at the beginning of the respective benefits of 2.12 billion euros and 747 million.

According to the CEO of Crédit Agricole Jean-Paul Chifflet, these results confirm a positive underlying trend at the operational level of the bank, in the 2014 strategic plan, presented last March. The group aims to achieve a return on equity of 10% to 12% by 2014. The bank would also surpass the 25 billion euros in net banking that date.

In the medium term, Crédit Agricole has no plans to increase the capital despite the market turmoil in July and August, denied the report, published Wednesday in the Letter of expansion of 1.5 billion euros, dedicated the recapitalization of its subsidiaries in Southern Europe. However, the group recognized that its goal of returning to profit for Emporiki Bank in 2012 would be compromised.

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"Greece will cost 850 million to Credit Agricole

The era of good times is over. China, which for years received lessons in economic policy by the United States, primarily relating to foreign exchange, takes revenge. While S & P has to sacrifice the triple A of the United States, Beijing, the largest holder of U.S. bonds in the world – by far, with 1,160 billion of U.S. Treasuries in the drawers according to figures from Washington published last May – now estimated to have "every right to require U.S. to address their structural problems of debt."

The Chinese government estimates that S & P has only confirmed a "horrible truth". One that was highlighted by the rating agency Dagong China, which has degraded the U.S. triple-A immediately after the agreement to raise the debt ceiling.She said "the days of Uncle Sam, crippled with debt, could easily squander endless amounts of borrowing from abroad seem numbered. (…) In order to treat his addiction to debt, the U.S. must restore the principle of common sense that we must live within its means. " For Dagong, the note of the United States increased from A + to A with, again, a negative outlook. According to the official Xinhua news agency, the adoption by Congress of a text to avoid a default of the United States failed to defuse "the bomb of debt." This failure to control U.S. borrowing could affect the "well-being of hundreds of millions of families in the United States and abroad," she lamented a few days ago.

In other countries, tempers

In France, Baroin, Minister of Economy, trying to reassure.First European official to respond to the thunder of the deterioration in the sovereign rating of the debt of the United States, he ensured that France "has full confidence in the strength of the U.S. economy and its fundamentals, and in the U.S. government's determination to implement the plan that was approved by Congress this week. "

In the UK, the British Trade Vince Cable held Saturday "completely predictable" degradation of the United States. "This is a completely predictable consequence of the mess created by Congress (…) but they (MPs) have now heard, and the situation of the United States is strong enough," he said.

Japan, the second creditor of the United States, said that its policy of buying U.S. bonds remained unchanged despite lowering their score."Our confidence in U.S. Treasuries and their attractiveness as an investment will not change because of this action," said a Japanese government official told Dow Jones Newswires. Japan, which is trying by all means to curb a flight of its currency against the greenback, has no interest in selling its dollar assets for now since it would only strengthen the yen.

In South Korea, senior officials of the Ministry of Finance held an emergency meeting Saturday to analyze the consequences of the downgrade. But the government has warned against overreaction. "We need not be too worried about our economy and financial markets," said Deputy Finance Minister Yim Jong-yong. An Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has also called for calm markets."At the same time, the other two major agencies, Moody's and Fitch continue to note the U.S. economy AAA. So I think people need to consider all the facts, "she said. In the Philippines, a spokesman for the Presidency said that the downgrade by S & P was "to some extent a wakeup call for the U.S. begin to seriously address their economic problems. We have confidence in their ability to do so. "

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"The agency Dagong lowers the rating of the United States

"The agency Fitch confirmed the triple-A U.S.

"Debt: the United States have failed according to China

The outlook for the parent company of Airbus are rather positive. EADS confirmed on Friday its forecast for the full year 2011, with sales up 8% to 21.9 billion euros and operating profit (EBIT) of 720 million euros in first half of this year. The net result of EADS amounted to 109 million euros (compared to 185 million euros in the first half of 2010), or earnings per share of 0.13 euro (0.23 euro a year ago) . In the second quarter, the manufacturer posted a net profit of 121 million euros and a turnover of 12.082 million – up from data over the same period the previous year (82 million euros in profit net 11.35 billion in revenue).

The activities of EADS, however, impacted by a decline of 41% of net profit in the first half, to 109 million euros related to accounting revaluations following the change in exchange rates, the statement said the group. But the net cash position of the manufacturer, specialized in aerospace and defense of a $ 11 billion still provides a solid foundation to meet the operational needs of the group and fuel future growth, "said EADS Friday .

An exceptional increase in orders

"Our first half results in 2011 reflect the strong demand in the commercial aviation sector," said the executive chairman of the Louis Welsh, comment out the publication of the results of EADS.At Le Bourget, Airbus, the main subsidiary of EADS has reached a new record this year, orders for 730 commercial aircraft, including 667 A 320 Neo, remotorisée version of medium-haul Airbus, less fond of fuel. EADS believes that Airbus should undertake the delivery of 520 to 530 commercial aircraft throughout the year, with a level of gross orders up to one thousand units. In the first half of 2011, new orders for Airbus amounted to 58.1 billion euros at the end of June the company has already earned 453.8 billion euros (at the end of 2010, total orders was 448.5 billion).

For all of 2011, EADS expects a stable EBIT before non-recurring items in 2011 compared to 2010, about 1.3 billion euros. Louis Welsh stated in particular that Airbus confirms its target of delivering about 25 to 380 in 2011.Moreover, based on the basis of an exchange rate of one euro worth 1.35 dollars, the European manufacturer hopes to earnings per share higher than in 2010, which was 0.68 euro. He also put on a significant improvement in its EBIT by 2012 due to higher sales volumes and improved performance of the Airbus A 380.

The title of EADS was in line with the trend of the CAC 40 stock market this morning, down -0.76% to 24.15 euros.

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While the ongoing wrangle with Casino in Brazil has shifted in favor of its competitor, Carrefour has released Wednesday a turnover in line with expectations. Group sales in the first half amounted to 44.6 billion euros, up 2.7% at current exchange rates (+ 2.5% at constant exchange rates) and 0.1% in comparable excluding petrol, adjusted for the calendar effect. Sales for the second quarter amounted to 22.4 billion euros, up 1.6% at current exchange rates, but down 0.2% on a comparable basis, excluding petrol and excluding the calendar effect .

While the group had mid-June, revised down its operating income to 35% in France, it now expects a decline of 23%, due "mainly to France."Lars Olofsson said that "Carrefour has set up an action plan in order to achieve the target set by the Group to grow its sales and EBIT in 2011."

Uneven performance in France

In France, the performance is mixed. Lars Olofsson deplores a "unsatisfactory performance of hypermarkets," whose sales are down 3.3% excluding petrol in the second quarter and adjusted for the calendar effect, after falling 1% in the first quarter.

However, Carrefour welcomes the performance of its stores. Carrefour Market and saw its sales grow by 1.3%. As for Carrefour Planet, "the four stores models continue to show sales growth in double digits."The group said that "the deployment of 21 new stores in the second quarter Planet is broadly in line with the plan, these new stores outperform those of our traditional hypermarkets in Spain and Belgium in particular."

Abroad, the decline continues in Western Europe (down 2.1% in the second quarter and 2.6% in the first). The activity in Belgium, however, displays a successful turnaround, with sales growth of 10.1% in hypermarkets.

Emerging markets are, in turn, still the group's activity. Latin America was up 11% at constant exchange rates, excluding petrol and adjusted for the calendar effect. In Brazil, where Carrefour battle as to marry the first retailer in the country, sales rose 10.2%.In Asia, growth remained at 5.3%, with an increase of 8.3% in China.

In exchange, Carrefour began declining after the announcement of these results. After losing 3% on opening, the title was eventually closed up 1.52% to 22.325 euros in the last trade. The CAC finished up 0.51%

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How to raise potential growth of France? The question for the Centre for Economic Analysis (CAE) – which depends on Matignon – trying once again to respond, this time taking a new dimension: the answer must now take account of financial and economic crisis that has struck down most of the world and considerably tightened budget constraints.

For France to regain competitiveness, the report – Philippe Aghion, Gilbert Cette, Élie Cohen and Mathilde Lemoine – start with going against the fashion of the moment: German copy. "The surplus comes from a German foreign competitiveness gained at the cost of wage restraint imposed over the past fifteen years.This experience is difficult to generalize to all European countries, "they wrote in the document presented yesterday to Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Pierre Lellouche.

Spend wisely

The report calls for "focus on policies that have a strong effect on medium and long term." And it puts the focus once again on the traditional weaknesses of France: it must develop "a policy of investment in higher education and R & D", more flexible markets for goods and labor, secure career paths, and support the development of dynamic sectors, "such as healthcare, cleantech instant payday loan."

But the authors do not simply advocate new policies. They also raise the funding.Due to budget constraints, they provide should proceed "not a net increase in spending, but a shift of the latter." That's why they point the savings could be achieved by reducing or eliminating certain tax loopholes – the most expensive – and this "despite the inevitable discontent that such measures would generate." And include the reduction in VAT on the restoration and construction, as well as the tax exemption of overtime, which has "not had the desired effect in terms of job creation."

Spend yes, but smart. Intervene "targeted". It's "third way" – between austerity and high expenditure – proposed by the authors. A path that could, in their opinion, report three fourths of GDP per year in potential growth.

In 2011, advertisers are expected to invest 3.3 billion dollars in mobile advertising, according to estimates from research firm Gartner. More than double compared with 2010, when the world market had picked up $ 1.6 billion investment in advertising, or 0.5% of the total advertising market.

Asia-Pacific continues to be the industry leader, with 1.6 billion dollars in advertising revenue in 2011 against 869 million in 2010. But Europe and North America will grow rapidly, according to Gartner. Respectively 570 million and 702 million dollars of investment, the value of these two mobile advertising market is expected to reach 5.1 and 5.8 billion in 2015.

Side formats, Gartner estimates that mobile search and location, along with augmented reality, will generate the most revenue Business Card Holders.Video advertising is expected to record the strongest growth through 2015.

"Mobile advertising has been recognized as an opportunity for brands, advertisers and publishers to reach consumers in a targeted and contextual, which improves the return on investment," Stephanie Baghdassarian analysis, research fellow at Gartner, in a statement .

With this in mind, the market could reach $ 20.6 billion in four years, says Gartner.

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Jean-Charles de Castelbajac is in advanced talks with investors to mount a round table to buy the brand that bears his name, in receivership since May 3

The company was declared insolvent after the decision of the Swedish partner to stop investing. Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund, holder of 99% of capital funds associated with the Atlas (1%), became owner of the mark a bit by chance. This financial and specializes in shipbuilding and electronic chips, held a minority stake in the English group Marchpole, which bought Castelbajac in 2004. Yet it went bankrupt in 2009 and was then solved Swedish head of the French fashion label founded in 1978.

His creator, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, had placed the rights of its brands in the company in 2000.When sold, it had been paid in shares Marchpole. After the bankruptcy, he has lost both its capital and name. After investing more than 10 million euros in two years in the redeployment of the company, Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund has chosen to stop the charges earlier this year.

"Low cost luxury"

In 2009, Castelbajac has suffered an operating deficit of $ 2.4 million on a turnover of 4 million, although sales of shops had yielded a net benefit. The debt owed to the shareholder would be some 4 million euros. The production of future collections can no longer be funded. Ironically, the brand through these financial difficulties, so she knows a new youth.

"The reality is brutal but I say it's providence to return to my company, yesterday gave Jean-Charles de Castelbajac at Figaro.At 62, the artistic director of the brand consultant has more energy than ever and ideas to sell to raise. He talks with several investors, industrialists and financiers, French and Asian, to mount a round table to which it is associated, which would allow him to reclaim his name.

It builds on both the prestigious image of a line of ready-to-wear line and second line JCDC available, sold especially on the Internet, which has exploded in recent years young. Worn by Lady Gaga Katy Perry, the brand new creative breath. "It's low cost luxury," says the designer, who is not afraid of trading. My ambition would be to aim the target of Zara. "The production of these products available would be developed in partnership with manufacturers under license.