US & World News

Japanese stocks ended up Thursday, the figures for economic growth in January-March quarter have offset the worries about Greece and its banks.

The Nikkei gained 0.9% or 75.42 points to 8876.59 points, while the Topix broader took 1.12% or 8.28 points to 747.16 points.

Japanese gross domestic product increased by 1% from January to March compared with the previous quarter, helped by a rebound increase in consumption. In this context, investors have taken advantage of the recent decline of 12% of the Nikkei to do some shopping on the cheap.

Values, Credit Saison ended with a gain of 3.88% to 1,658 yen. Society of consumer credit has posted an annual net profit above market expectations.

America Movil, the phone giant owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, said Thursday it will buy the California-Simple Mobile to expand its market presence ; American.

This is the second external expansion of the group within days.

Simple Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, with more than one million subscribers. In March, the number of subscribers of Tracfone, the U.S. subsidiary of America Movil, reached just over 20 million.

America Movil, the leading provider of mobile services in Latin America, announced Tuesday its intention to increase its stake in Dutch KPN to 28%, thus taking hold in Europe as part of a transaction of more than 2.5 billion euros.

European shares rebounded Tuesday to midday, after a session that had brought equity markets in Europe to a low of three months.

The rebound is still limited as tensions persist in the euro area.

In Paris the CAC 40 rose 1.18% to 3135.03 points. In Frankfurt, the Dax gained 0.69% and London, the FTSE is 0.32%. The pan-European index Stoxx 50 in advance for its share of 0.93%.

The values, Michelin, a time reserved to decline, lead of almost 7.11% and the best performance of the CAC 40 after the publication of its turnover for the first quarter showing lower sales volumes offset by price increases.

STMICROELECTRONICS lead of more than 4.50% despite announcing a first-quarter loss attributed to the decline in sales in the segment of products for mobile phones and the impact a court decision.

Essilor rose by nearly 1.61% after announcing strong organic growth over the first three months of the year. 

NOVARTIS was down 1.18% after confirming expect a slight deterioration in profitability this year after a first quarter affected by an interruption production on one of its sites in the U.S. and unfavorable basis for its subsidiary Sandoz.

On the bond market, Bunds are below their record highs Monday, the market pausing, but they remain attractive to the extent that the uncertainty in the euro area is now affecting his core.

After the resignation of the government, the Netherlands, however, successfully awarded two bond lines that allowed them to raise two billion euros. 

Sign of the tensions in the euro area, Italy had to pay Tuesday unprecedented efficiencies since January in connection with auctions of zero coupon bonds or indexed.

Investors also sought a high premium for a tender Spanish short term.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro is changing the balance of around 1.3163 dollar but failed to really bounce back despite the successful bond issue in the Netherlands and after experiencing its worst day in a week Monday.

The European currency hit a 20-month low against the pound sterling at 81.45 pence, weighed down by concerns over the euro area.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended down nearly 1.5% Monday, accusing its fifth consecutive session of decline under the impact of both the employment figures for the month of March in the United States considered to be disappointing and the strong yen.

The Nikkei lost 1.47% or 142.19 points to 9,546.26 and the Topix broader, yielded 12.02 points (-1.46%) to 813.69 .

The U.S. economy created far fewer jobs than expected in March, which should extend the debate on the need for the Fed to adopt new measures to support growth, although the unemployment rate to 8.2%, is at its lowest for three years. 

Since April 2, the Nikkei fell more than 5% and, with five sessions of decline in a row, the index experienced its longest run down since November.

That said, thanks to the good performance of financial stocks and those related to exports, the Nikkei had jumped more than 19% over the three months January to March, its best performance for a first quarter in 24 years.

"This is a temporary adjustment. We had perhaps gone too far, too fast, "said Naomi Fink as, technical analyst at Jefferies The

. Trading volume was very narrow due to the closure of most Western stock markets due to Easter Monday

.. ……. The dollar fell to a low of one month against the yen, a development that has resulted in a decline in export values, such as Honda (-2.43 %), Nissan (-3.39%) or TDK (-1.69%)

.

American values ​​have increased their decline Wednesday in the second closing in the red as investors begin to consider the prospect of a world stock market would no longer be supported by programs Recovery of central banks.

The Dow Jones has sold 0.95% or 124.80 points to 13,074.75 points. The Standard & Poor's, wider, yielded 1.02% (14.42 points) to 1,398.96 points while the Nasdaq composite fell back to 1.46% (45.48 points) at point

3068.09

This decline comes despite better than expected figures for employment in the private sector. According to ADP monthly survey, the private sector created 209,000 jobs in March in the U.S., against 200,000 expected.

But what continues to attract the attention of investors is that, in the last monetary policy meeting of the Federal Reserve of the United States, only two members its monetary policy committee felt that other measures could be necessary if the economy weakened or if inflation remained at a low level during a pe ; prolonged period. 

Support measures implemented by the U.S. central bank was the main catalyst for a jump of 30% recorded by the S & P 500 since October, although improving conditions in the United States, as reflected by the indicators, also played.

A REASON TO LOWER

"The biggest support for the economy and financial markets for the past two years has been the (financial) support and without it, you always wonder if the economy can stand by themselves, "said Bruce Bittles, head of investment policy at Robert W. Baird & Co.

Some investors, such as Cummins Catherwood, in Boenning & Scattergood, however, believe that we should not over-interpret the decline. He stressed that the market needs a reason to consolidate after its sharp rise and the bottom panel, even if not very exciting, is at least solid.

Values, General Electric, Heavyweight Dow Jones fell 1.1% to 19.74 dollars. Moody's downgraded the rating of Aa2 to Aa3 conglomerate. The note of its financial subsidiary, GE Capital, has also been lowered a notch.

Sandisk has fallen by over 11% to 44.51 dollars. The manufacturer of flash memory has reduced its forecast for sales in the first quarter, citing lower demand than expected from the manufacturers of mobile handsets and pricing conditions unfavorable.

McDonald's ended down 1.9% to 97.48 dollars. Goldman Sachs has released the value of its conviction buy list and lowered its price target to $ 110.

Side increases, AIG ended with a gain of 5.3% to 32.52 dollars. According to CNBC, AIG could launch in the second quarter IPO of the subsidiary ILFC aircraft leasing Holdings.

Sales of new homes fell again in February in the United States. The lack of foreclosures flooding the housing market of goods at bargain prices. Average prices of back nine, however.

The housing market is still recovering from nine United States. Sales of new single in February fell for the second consecutive month, according to figures released Friday by the Washington Department of Commerce. They fell 1.6% from January, seasonally adjusted data, to 313,000 annualized transactions. He had declined by 5.4% the previous month (revised up).

Sales of new single are depressed for several years in the United States. Over the whole of 2011, sales fell 5.3%. The government has identified this year that 306,000 sales, is the lowest number ever recorded in its annals, dating back to January 1963. Sales of new homes suffer from competition caused by the high number of foreclosures caused by the crisis, resulting in the housing market an influx of goods sold at bargain prices detrimental to developers.

Despite the decline in sales, the average transaction price in February rose 2.2% on month and 1.8% yoy, to $ 267,700 dollars.

The ministry said there were 150,000 new homes for sale in the U.S. in late February, as much as a month earlier when the supply of such goods had fallen to its lowest level since January 1963 at least.

The main European stock markets opened in fall Tuesday in the wake of Wall Street and Asian markets, fears of an economic slowdown in China and Europe prompting investors to reduce their exposure to risk.

In Paris, at 9:30 am, the CAC 40 lost 0.83% (29 points) to 3458 points. London yields 0.56% and Frankfurt was down 1.01%. The pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 index was down 0.96% after gaining over 9% since the beginning of the year, supported especially by abundant liquidity injected by the Bank Central Bank (ECB).

The values ​​of the automobile are among the largest declines. The European sector index losing 2.2%, weighed down primarily by PSA Peugeot Citroen.

PSA lost more than 5% in the Paris Stock Exchange after the announcement of the terms of the capital increase of a billion launched after its alliance with General Motors. The French group also announced it would not pay a dividend this year.

The German Merck was down 1.3% after reporting fourth quarter results below expectations, within the scope of a claim to half mast for the crystal used in the tee ; léviseurs flat screen.

The earnings season in Europe has been relatively poor. According to Thomson Reuters data Starmine, only 49% of STOXX 600 companies have published the results meet or exceed expectations, against 68% of companies S & P 500 on Wall Street.

"The macroeconomic data from the euro area, while the main liquidity operations of the ECB are completed, have aroused fears of a recession and de ; ceived markets. To make matters worse, China has lowered its forecast for growth ", says Koen De Leus for KBC Securities in Brussels.

Markets have also coldly received the message sent Monday by Athens, which it was prepared to force private creditors to take losses on Greek debt. Private investors have until Thursday to say whether they intend to or not participate in the exchange of debt that should allow Greece to erase more than 100 billion euros of its debt, as part of its second bailout of 130 billion euros.

Wall Street is hesitant to open Thursday, the fears generated by a warning from Moody's on Banks are offset by good U.S. statistics of the day.

In early trade, the Dow Jones gained 0.15% to 12,800.44 points. The Standard & Poor's lost 0.02% to 1,342.91 points while the Nasdaq composite yield 0.06% to 2914.08 points.

Moody's warned on Thursday that it could lower the credit ratings of 17 major global banks and 114 financial institutions in Europe, reflecting the impact of the crisis of European sovereign debt on the financial system.

The KBW bank index lost 0.27%. The S & P financials yields 0.2%.

The weekly jobless claims fell against all odds in the United States during the week to February 11, to 348,000, or a low of nearly four years, 361,000 against revised) the previous week, said Thursday the Labor Department.

The number of housing starts rose more than expected in January, thanks to a sharp rise in rental housing projects, which raised hopes that the real estate sector, there is little time still devastated, finally brings its contribution to growth. 

The producer prices rose 0.1% in January in the U.S., due to lower prices in the food and energy, but the prices of staples have risen twice more than expected, according to figures released Thursday by the Labor Department.

General Motors on Thursday posted a profit below expectations for the fourth quarter of 2011, the positive effect related to the results achieved in North America have been offset by a weaker performance overseas.

The action, however, earns 4.9% to 26.16 dollars.

Al-Jazeera would be poised to strike (still) a great blow. She has acquired the TV rights for Euro 2012 would not count stop there. But what about the games of the France team? Players of the team celebrate their victory against Spain in Euro 2008 final against Germany.

The rumor is increasingly insistent. According Lepoint.fr, Al-Jazeera would have won the TV broadcasting rights of the Euro 2012 football against the duo of TF1 and M6. Interviewed by L'Expansion. Com, Uefa and the Qatari, however, refuse to confirm. Especially since the side of a large French chain, a source very close to the case provides that "nothing is done", and it remains "a third round of betting." Still, since Al Jazeera has gained a lot of the rights of the Champions League and Ligue 1, the rumor lends resources and unlimited ambitions. It is rumored in some newsrooms and this time she would put on the table between 100 to120 million for the next edition of the European championship. A sum again unconfirmed.

A "gift" to France Televisions?

Another victory for Al-Jazeera would not without asking the air broadcasting the matches of the team of France and the final. Qatari chain could therefore turn to organize a tender to determine the granting of this free program minimum. A chance for TF1 and M6 to limit the damage? Not so sure. According to Le Point, it would indeed be considered a "gift" to public service, which devalues ​​the rights. And to soften somewhat the "shock" due to the sensational debut of this new actor. Good image would indeed be surprising from a country that, since his arrival on the French market of football business, do research clearly not economic profitability in the short term.

In fact, the leaders of France Televisions have also met with Qatari counterparts, recognizes Bilalian Daniel, the head of sports department of public television. But "it was nothing to prepare for the Euro 2012. Just to stand as brothers," says he. As for a possible favor, he asserts that "it is absolutely anything. You can not sell off the rights like that, other chains might attack us for that."

The Europa League and Cfoot in addition to the Euro?

Anyway, the ambitions of Al-Jazeera will not stop the bidding for Euro 2012. Al-Jazeera is also still in the race to clinch the match of the Europa League where a third round of betting is also expected. She finally approached to buy back the rights of the League 2 along the chain Cfoot, owned by the Professional Football League (LFP). Because Al Jazeera has yet to find a channel to broadcast the matches she bought. Or just Cfoot must stop broadcasting on pay DTT in June … either at the beginning of the euro. Just a coincidence that some obervateurs to complete a recovery scenario …

An American from Wisconsin was charged Thursday for selling fake Facebook actions by taking advantage of impatience about the upcoming IPO of the first global network community.

According to the complaint filed Thursday, Marianne Oleson would have claimed one million dollars in Facebook stock and have convinced several people to become the purchaser.

She was accused of 31 charges, including theft, forgery and misrepresentation.

Facebook announced Wednesday, almost eight years to the day after it was created by Mark Zuckerberg, its proposed IPO with the intention to raise $ 5 billion.

Marianne Oleson, according to the complaint, explaining that her daughter was linked to Mark Zuckerberg and had had access to titles Facebook. 

She would have paid in false actions including a contractor who performed for nearly 14,000 dollars of work on his house. The man would have also paid 10,000 dollars to buy other securities fictitious.

Another of his alleged victims, a sexagenarian, he would have four checks totaling about $ 40,000.

The IPO of Facebook, expected in May, should be the operation of this type the most anticipated of the year, and set a passing record for a spin start-up Internet.

At its IPO in 2004, Google had sold nearly two billion dollars of securities.