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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.

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Unibail-Rodamco said Wednesday night anticipating a growth in recurring earnings per share by about 4% this year after suffering a weaker than expected decline in 2011 in the context of consumption, however, difficult and unstable. Europe's leading commercial real estate has also maintained its target of annual growth in recurring earnings per share of between 5 and 7% on average over the period 2013-2015. "For 2012, the group remains confident about the growth in rents. This perspective is based on strong fundamentals: a low vacancy rates, as limited effort, rents rise and cost of debt content "said in a statement Unibail-Rodamco. The company explains that caution is when the impact of the crisis in the euro area consumption and the situation of teachers, however, can not be ignored. "The net assets has increased, thanks to growth in rents, which is a very positive point. ANR spring with a premium of 15% over the share price, which shows the value remains price, "said Thomas Aubert, the French manager at AM. Before the publication of these results, Unibail-Rodamco has indeed ended with a gain of 2.72% to 150.80 euros, compared to its net asset value (NAV) ERPA triple net stood at 130.70 euros at end-December (4.9% compared to end 2010). Analysts consensus Thomson Reuters I / B / E / S awaited a NAV 131.18 euros. PRIME on sales net rents stand at 1.262 billion euros in 2011 against 1.257 billion a year earlier. Shopping centers on net rents reached 984.1 million euros last year, up 2.4% year on year. At the end of December, the recurring earnings per share of the group came out down 2.6% to 9.03 euros, 8.89 euros against expected by analysts. When publishing its interim results in July, the group reiterated its outlook for a decline in recurring profit for 2011 of between 3% and 5%, given the impacts the exceptional payout in October 2010 and its program of asset sales. Unibail will propose to the General Meeting the payment of a dividend of eight per share in cash, representing a distribution of 89% of its recurring earnings per share as the market expected an average 8.08 euros. Despite the difficult financial markets in 2011, the group rated "A" by rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings, has raised a total of 3.1 billion euros of new financing , medium and long term, in the form of bank loans and bond issues. "It is also interesting to note that even on desks, Unibail managed to achieve growth while all sales were made at a premium," said Thomas Aubert, the net rents of offices increased by 4.2% on a constant basis. Unibail-Rodamco, the market capitalization of 13.8 billion euros, sold 1.084 million euros of non-core business assets and 242 million euros of assets from offices in 2011, with an average premium of 7.8% over the last values ​​of external expertise. The portfolio of development projects of the group, who will deliver this year including the mall Lyon Confluence, the end of 2011 amounted to 6.9 billion euros, 1.5 billion already spent. The market value of the portfolio of Unibail-Rodamco amounted to 25.9 billion euros late last year, up from 1.4 billion end of 2010.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended Friday in a piecemeal, according to a new low of two and a half years in session for the Nikkei, while France and Germany have not reached the day before to convince investors of the imminence of a consensus on the answer to the debt crisis.

The Nikkei lost 0.06% (-5.17 points) at 8,160.01 points, while the Topix, broader took 0.52 points (+0.07%) to 706.60 points.

For the week, the two indexes have lost respectively 2.6% and 1.9%.

At the conclusion of a tripartite meeting in Strasbourg between the Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, the French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the latter reiterated his opposition to any change in the mandate of the European Central Bank (ECB ) and the introduction of Eurobonds.

"Some investors bought oversold values ​​in the afternoon (Japan), but concerns about the situation in Europe remains" Judge Kenichi Hirano, Tachibana Securities.

According to the Uruguayan Minister, Louis Almagro, Nicolas Sarkozy was very upset to see that its proposed regulation, including tax havens, were not retained. Nicolas Sarkozy.

Luis Almagro, Uruguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs, said French President Nicolas Sarkozy was "very upset" with "the failure of the French strategy at the G20" and that he expressed in his statements on tax havens cause of a crisis with Uruguay.

"I think his statement (was dictated by) the bitterness and is linked with the failure of the French strategy at the G20", held in Cannes (south-eastern France) in early November, said M . Almagro in an interview published Thursday in the weekly Busqueda. "The four or five worn by strengths (Nicolas) Sarkozy at the G20 were rejected, as (the idea) to cap prices or on financial issues, etc..He used the G20 as a political platform, but it emerged weakened because the final statement did not address its program. I think it was upset and he has expressed in this unfortunate statement, "he added.

In early November, Nicolas Sarkozy said after the G20 summit that tax havens would be put "beyond the pale of the international community." He said that was part of the capital Montevideo which "did not have a legal framework for the exchange of tax information." These statements have angered Montevideo. The French government then explained that it was a statement on behalf of G20 and not of France and expressed its confidence in the willingness of Uruguay to fight tax evasion.

Fever market does not seem to stop. So many voices calling for the ECB buys massive amounts of government securities in difficulty to break the panic and speculation. But is this really the solution? ECB

In the state of current market panic, the ECB is more than ever figure of last bastion of the euro area. Provided, however, she agreed to play this role … Italian interest rates still evolving around 7% Thursday, an unsustainable level on the scale of a few months. And fears of contagion from France have propelled the difference in interest rates between Germany and France to a new record (204 basis points difference, France into debt at a cost of more than two times higher).Sign that it is a disruption of markets, interest rates of other states in the euro area AAA rated – such as Finland or the virtuous Netherlands – are also affected.

In this context, increasing the pressure on the European Central Bank in order to redeem government bonds heavily attacked. The Nobel Prize in Economics Paul Krugman recently called for greater involvement of the ECB. "It should send a clear message and say" we buy as many (sovereign debt) than necessary. "In France, many economists on the left are also campaigning on this issue. Even in Germany, there are voices in this sense Like Peter Bofinger, an economist and adviser to the German government. "It's not attractive … But we must clearly realize that it's an emergency.

European households reduced by 0.8% think expenditures for gifts, holiday meals and outputs, according to a study released Tuesday. In France, spending will increase from 1.9% to 606 euros per household. French households plan to increase spending Christmas from 1.9% to 606 euros per household in 2011

Consumers in countries most affected by the debt crisis, such as Greece, are cut in their budget for Christmas, but the French and other Europeans should forget the rigor and loosen the belt a bit this holiday season, according to a study published Tuesday. Christmas 2011 appears as "the last opportunity to have fun, but without folly, before 2012 is awaited with concern," according to the Deloitte study, conducted among 18,354 consumers in 17 countries in September."The French may have gone too far" in some trade-offs since 2008 and "they relax a little," said Antoine de Riedmatten, a partner at Deloitte, saying they want to "have fun", but "with caution ". For 45% of them think that their purchasing power will deteriorate next year, against 36% last year.

Money and books at the top of desired gifts

The French buy more food and great brands for these feasts, having directed forward towards private labels. Similarly, they offer gifts to a few more people and make a little less gifts grouped, he says. If the criteria price and value guide further choices, well-being will also be preferred, as reflected in the intentions of gifts, third place in spa services, care or massage behind the chocolates and perfumes and cosmetics.

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.

A source close to the government, China is considering investing 50 to $ 100 billion in the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF). Nicolas Sarkozy and Hu Jintao in Beijing, April 28, 2010.

China is considering investing 100 billion dollars to help the euro area to combat the crisis of public debt, reported the Financial Times on its Web site Thursday, citing a government source. "China might be willing to contribute between 50 and 100 billion in the EFSF (European Financial Stability Fund) or to fund a new mounted under his leadership in collaboration with the IMF, according to a person familiar with the intentions of the Chinese leadership" , said the British newspaper.

"If conditions are suitable then something a little over $ 100 billion is not inconceivable," said the person at the Financial Times.

Mersen, ex-Carbone Lorraine, which confirmed its 2011 objectives, supported by strong solar activity, and Asia, said he was careful, however, for 2012 due to economic climate remains uncertain.

The specialist in graphite solutions and electrical components still expects a double-digit organic growth and operating margin above 12% of its turnover.

"The macroeconomic environment is what it is, that is to say today very uncertain, so there is little visibility (for 2012)," said Thomas Baumgartner, CFO, at a conference phone.

"The growth of Mersen was very strong across all areas (…) And we recorded very high billing in the sun ", he added, however.

The group reported Tuesday sales up 11.1% at constant exchange rates in the third quarter to 207.8 million euros, an increase of 14.1% in the first nine months of year to 627.1 million euros.

"Asia represents over 25% of consolidated turnover of the group, over 37% Europe and North America 32%, so we have a well balanced business," observed the Chief Financial Officer group.

Mersen began several years ago marked a profound change in its output segment of the automobile and its focus on solar, wind and emerging markets.

The stock closed Tuesday up 2.12% to 28.19 euros, giving a market cap of around 559 million euros. Since the beginning of the year, as yields 17.81% after rising by 35% in 2010.

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.