Volvo hit by Europe in the fourth quarter

4th February

The Swedish truck manufacturer Volvo was reported Friday in a lower than expected earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 and again expect a lackluster fiscal 2012, penalized by a dip in the European market.

From October to December, operating income of world number two sector stood at seven billion Swedish kronor (791 million) while analysts had forecast of 7.2 billion, according to Reuters.

The last quarter of 2010, Volvo had generated operating profit of five billion crowns. 

After enjoying the full recovery of demand in 2010 and during most of 2011, European manufacturers of heavy trucks must now deal with the crisis of sovereign debt in the euro area and fears of a slowdown in global economic activity.

"We maintain our assessment that the market 'Europe of 29' will be about 220,000 trucks in 2012. We anticipate a slow start to the year and a gradual improvement, "the group said in a statement

." We maintain our forecast of continued growth of the North American market at about 250,000 trucks in 2012, "he adds

…… The … backlog fell 7% in the fourth quarter, but the fall is more dramatic in Europe where it has shrunk 24%, overshadowing the 22% increase observed in America The Swedish North

. thinks that the truck market is now stabilizing, albeit at a low level, and should pick up gradually over the years. 

Volvo shows and more optimistic than its competitor Scania, who warned this week that it would reduce its workforce and the volume of some of its investments in anticipation of weak demand in the first half of 2012.

The title Volvo opened up 1.4% to 92.00 crowns.

You never know when an unexpected financial emergency may hit, leaving you short on cash and unable to make ends meet for the month. At times like these, payday loan lenders can give you the lift you need to make it through.

28th November

The number of registered employment center has again sharply in October. The unemployment rate could pass the symbolic threshold of 10% this year as the economy is threatened lights of a new recession. Explanations. Agency employment center in Nice

Unemployment continued to fly in October in France: the number of job seekers without activity (category A) has again increased sharply in October, 1.2%, or 34,400 people, to reach 2.814 million , according to figures released Monday by the Ministry of Labour. The total number of people seeking work, including those engaged in a reduced (categories A, B and C) also increased by 17,200 to 4.193 million people (0.4%).

21st November

The rating agency Moody's warned Monday about the risks posed by the rise in yields on French government bonds on the rating of sovereign debt of France in a context of uncertainty on growth.

"The sustained high funding costs amplify the fiscal challenges facing the French government in a context of deteriorating growth prospects, with negative consequences on credit", written Kockerbeck Alexander, an analyst at the agency.

Moody's announced in mid-October that it would monitor and assess the stability of the perspective of the French Aaa rating within three months.

19th November

The Greek government expects a budget deficit reduced to 5.4% of GDP in 2012 assuming implementation of the proposed debt exchange expected to reduce the burden of public debt, according to the proposed final budget submitted Friday in parliament.

Excluding the impact of the debt swap (PSI), the project includes a deficit equivalent to 6.7% of gross domestic product next year after 9.0% this year.

The exchange of debt should lead to an issue of new bonds with a nominal value of EUR 70 billion and the payment to bondholders deprived of 30 billion euros in cash.

The parliamentary debate on the budget next week to begin by examining the text in committee, the plenary vote is scheduled for 8 or 9 December.

16th November

Private sector employees in four will. And the public, who were spared, one will suffer. "In fairness", says Bercy, which hopes to save 200 million euros a year. A fourth day waiting period will be introduced for private sector employees.

A fourth day waiting period will be introduced for private sector employees on sick leave, the government said Tuesday, expecting a saving of 200 million euros for Social Security. Currently, time to which employees are compensated by health insurance is three days, often offset by the employer in large companies.

"In fairness," will also be established "one day waiting in the three public functions", announced in a joint statement the Ministers Budget Valérie Pécresse, Labour Xavier Bertrand and François Public Sauvadet.Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Francois Fillon ruled "reasonable" before the UMP to create a day off for employees on sick leave.

If the introduction of a fourth day in the private sector is a regulatory measure, the measure for staff requires a statutory provision, the statement said. The ministers' per diem disease, representing 6.6 billion, growing at a rapid pace and difficult to justify (3.9% in 2010, after 5.1% in 2009). "

Ministers argue that "the bill initial funding of social security plans to change the replacement rate of subsistence allowances (DSA), enabling a lower expenditure of 220 million euros." Both measures are intended to achieve "an economy equivalent," explains Ms. Pécresse and MM. Bertrand and Sauvadet.

7th November

The European Investment Bank (EIB) could provide up to 74 billion euros in loans to banks in two years in Europe if its own capital was strengthened, including with money provided by its shareholders, according to a document prepared for the finance ministers of the Union.

Prepared for the Council of Finance Ministers of the EU, which meets Tuesday, the report details the means that could be implemented if the credit crunch.

"The risk reduction of leverage by the banks is not negligible and it is important to maintain and even increase of EIB lending to the real economy through the banks," said Bank in this document, dated November 3.

5th November

In the shadow of the Greek psychodrama, it was necessary progress on the major issues of international economic cooperation. Review of some successes and many failures G20 Cannes. Nicolas Sarkozy has ended with a G20 Cannes press conference, November 4, 2011. REUTERS / Yves Herman (FRANCE – Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

He wanted to make a summit unforgettable symbol of his power. But the setbacks in Europe, and the announcement of the referendum at the last minute Greek – have been abandoned, the chairman of the G20 in Cannes, Nicolas Sarkozy, in great difficulties. In the shadow of European psychodrama, the Head of State has still attempted to advance the cause of international economic cooperation. With mixed success. Balance sheet.

To read the official press release here.

Tobin Tax: A Small Step U.S.

It must have been one of the key topics of the French Presidency.Nicolas Sarkozy had even managed to convince Angela Merkel to go along with this idea of ​​a tax on financial transactions to support the development. But not surprisingly, no consensus could be found, too many countries there are still opposed. The head of state, however, has been commended for supporting Barack Obama on this theme, declaring that France and the United States "had a common analysis to help the world of finance to solving the current crisis. "

Life insurance: the rationale for a rare decline

24th October

In September, French investors withdrew more money from their life insurance policies than it invested. Net outflows which had been observed only twice since 1997. Explanations.

Life insurance is on track to lose its status as a favorite investment of the French? They have in fact removed in September of 11.5 billion euros of their life insurance policies, for a collection of only 9.7 billion. Is a net outflow of 1.8 billion, according to the French Association of Insurance Companies (FFSA). The event is rare. "Not since the collapse of Lehman Brothers to record outflows over the collection in October and December 2008. Since 1997, and the creation of monthly indicators for this type of investment, there has been, taking into account the month of September 2011, three months of negative balance "ensures Philippe Crevel Secretary General of the circle of investors.Why is this?

The crisis … but not only

"Collapse of awards, signs of recession … The start of the flight of investors is linked to economic and market uncertainty. People do not know what will happen to their money in the long term, or insurance Life is a long-term investment "analysis Philippe Crevel. "The environment encourages individuals to anxiety out of stock or bonds" in Le Figaro said Pierre de Villeneuve, Chairman of the Committee of the FFSA life. But all is not the fault of the crisis. Some even think that its effect is marginal. "There is no effect of panic at all.The returns of life insurance are relatively stable and the people know, it remains very popular "advance Cyrille Chartier Kastler, president of consulting firm Facts & Figures, specializing in insurance.

A significant leak in the richest

He said the decline in collections is due to a growing disenchantment of investors richer for life insurance due to a reform put in place a year ago and a half. "Since then, private management contracts (over 120,000 euros of savings) have their performance limited warranty. The government did not want to be guaranteed a higher return to a type of life insurance rather than another, "he explains. Result, private management contracts, which accounted for 25 of the 120 billion collected by life insurance in 2009, are being "strongly reduced" as the president of Facts & Figures.

Demographic factors

"The aging population is also more and more retirees draw on their life insurance for current expenses, as some households in times of crisis," said Le Figaro Bernard Spitz, President of the FFSA. In addition, many of the contracts seem to arrive today at maturity, making them easy to buy. According to the circle of investors, 64% of the outstanding life insurance has over 8 years and 47% of contracts over 12 years.

Yields less attractive

In the 2000s, life insurance used the net returns of 5.3% on average. Ten years later, in late 2010, this rate is only 3.4%. And for 2011, Facts & Figures anticipates yields between 3 and 3.1%. If it remains very attractive, life insurance suffers from the decline continues, very reassuring for investors."Added to this the fears of an increase in the tax burden of its performance, related to the context of rigor. An increase in taxation would make life much less cost" analysis Philippe Crevel.

Competition for real estate

In the opinion of all experts, real estate appears to be the main competitor of insurance. It represents a safe haven, with high efficiency in the eyes of investors, including easier. "The stone is also good protection against inflation," says Cyrille Chartier Kastler. "In Paris, for example, 54% of transactions are not loans. Buyers are good money somewhere. They drain on the part of their life insurance" advance Philippe Crevel.

Then come the investment banking, including booklets boosted short-term."Banks in search of cash, have directed their clients to the bank books by offering rates comparable to those of life insurance, or even higher. The non-hazardous liquid savings has increased by more than 11 billion euros in the second quarter of 2009, "says the secretary general of the circle of investors.

"No event" or "end of the big time"?

However, the situation of companies and the sustainability of life insurance policies do not appear immediately threatened. When an individual agrees this type of contract, the company invests the money in currency values ​​or bond, they sell at the time of outflow. "The diversification of investments and their management over time in a supervisory narrow sector soundness guarantee" assures Bernard Spitz.

"And then, outflows of 1, 9 billion is a non-event," said Cyrille Chartier Kastler.It is true that in view of 1.367 trillion in assets of life insurance, it still represents a drop of water. Still, the rise of stocks slows over time. From December 2010 to September 2011, the total amount increased by 29 billion euros, against 72 billion over the same period a year earlier. "The great period of growth in life insurance is behind us," concludes Philippe Crevel.

Why Ireland is not yet out of business

22nd October

The Irish budget deficit has reduced by 4 percentage points of GDP since 2009. Corporate profitability recovered sharply. But deleveraging too fast may influence the activity against becoming productive. Pedestrians in Dublin

If Ireland is still part of PIGS, it can not be in the same category as Greece or Portugal, as progress in a few months by former Tiger European are important. The Irish budget deficit – excluding bank recapitalization needs – fell by 4 percentage points of GDP since 2009. The current account deficit turned into a small surplus. Finally, corporate profitability recovered sharply.

The experts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the European Central Bank (ECB) and European Commission, who have just completed their assessment mission in Ireland, are seduced. "The ongoing adjustment is solid.The 2011 budget targets will be achieved and the ongoing structural reforms will also contribute to sanitation, "they note in their report.

However, Ireland is now entering a delicate phase. Or the risk of too rapid deleveraging weigh on activity, against becoming productive. The experts of the IMF, the ECB and the Commission to admit the hint. "Ireland will have to find a balance between the imperatives of debt reduction and limitation of the barriers to growth and job creation," they point out in their report. This sentence harmless and a bit blurry could announce a change in strategy for Ireland. The country needs it, says a recent report by Goodbody Broker.

Make concessions

Indeed, in Ireland, over-indebtedness affects both the public sector, private sector and banks.Simultaneously reducing the three is clearly a bad idea, says the report. If Ireland is determined to meet all objectives at the same time, the evolving recovery will be quickly suppressed. A risk highlighted recently by the Finance Minister Michael Noonan. Especially since the motor only turns in exports. The domestic market remains depressed by lower prices (unit labor costs fell by 15% and commercial property prices have been divided by two).

We must therefore make concessions to one side. But which one? As for households, the government can not do much. The debt reached 220% of disposable income, nearly twice the international average. And fall of financial markets could reduce household net wealth of 250 billion euros. The Irish are going to have to tighten their belts for several years.Make concessions on the public debt is also not in a financial crisis. Ireland recorded a primary deficit of 6% of GDP in 2011. This is the worst result of the euro area.

Remaining banks. They must bring their ratios to 122% loan to deposit by 2013. The challenge today is to allow banks to achieve that clean without excessively penalizing the credit. This will doubtless involve additional time but also further aid from the ECB, economists now believe. Lengthy discussion in perspective.

Sharp decline in European stock markets in early trading

4th October

European shares opened sharply lower Tuesday, financial and cyclical stocks in the lead, continuing a decline the last two sessions in markets still dominated by fear of failure Greek and a return to recession.

Following a meeting of finance minister in the euro area, the President of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker said that the private sector into the background of aid to Greece should be reviewed to reflect of the degradation of the economy and European markets.

At 9:38, the CAC 40 was down 2.51% to 2853.30 points and a loss of over 6% since last Thursday.

"It is clear that these concerns about Europe are not going away anytime soon, as long as markets remain dominated by this fear, the downward pressure should continue to prevail. The meetings of European finance ministers who stand in Luxembourg have already lead to a series of statements that move the markets – again primarily to the decline, "said IG Markets.

Other major European markets, London yields 1.95%, 2.57% Frankfurt and Milan 2%.The pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 index lost 2.5%.

The banking sector is still one of the largest declines, dragged down by Dexia, which collapsed after holding an emergency board on back of speculation of dismantling the group.

In this context of anxiety and risk aversion, the performance of the German government bond (Bund) is relaxed to 10 years again, to 1.72%, 1.81% against the previous day.

The euro continued to decline and is trading at 1.3174 / 78 dollars, against 1.3181 the day before the end of the session.

Similarly, a barrel of U.S. light crude lost another $ 1.31 to 76.30 dollars amid concerns about global growth.