US & World News

Volvo reported Wednesday a 4% drop in shipments from trucks in April from a year earlier, sluggish demand in Europe and South America have overshadowed ; a strong recovery in North America.

The second largest global industry saw its shipments fall by 22% in Europe, its biggest market, while increasing by 39% in North America.

The industry is facing hard times in Europe, with widespread debt crisis, but also in Brazil, the first South American market, where demand is suffering from new rules on emissions.

Deliveries from Volvo in South America fell 30% while they increased by 9% in Asia. 

The Volvo share fell by 1.9% to 82.40 Swedish kronor (9.02 euros) to 8:35 GMT, while the benchmark index of the Stockholm Stock Exchange yielded 0.84%.

Volvo, which manufactures trucks under the brand name but also under names Eicher, Mack, Renault Trucks and UD, had raised its annual targets for Europe in late April, saying anticipate an increase in production over the coming months.

The band, which rivals the industry leader Daimler, said Wednesday that its production would increase slightly in his division in the second quarter and Renault for its Volvo brand in the third.

Volvo expects a contraction of the European market for heavy trucks to 230,000 vehicles this year, against 242,400 in 2011.

Bertelsmann announced Wednesday for the first quarter of 2012 up 13% of operating profit and 5% of its turnover, confirming its annual target of moderate growth CA

The first media group in Europe – which has among others the broadcasting group RTL and publisher Random House – said that its operating profit (EBIT) reached 280 million euros against 248 million a year ago.

"For the full year, we are confident to achieve our goal of moderate growth in sales, EBIT stable at a high , and an increase in profit after minority interests, "said Thomas Rabe said in a statement, chief executive of Bertelsmann. 

RTL Group also announced Wednesday an increase in sales during the first quarter. Growth on French and German advertising markets offset a continued decline in Southern Europe and East.

Bertelsmann, which focuses on digital and abroad to spur growth, announced in late March a change in legal structure, which might suggest that the group is more strongly opposed to an introduction scholarship.

France has awarded Thursday 7.43 billion euros of long-term debt at better terms than in previous auctions, three days before the second round of presidential elections .

The Agence France Trésor (AFT) has issued an amount corresponding to the top of the announced range (6.5 to 7.5 billion euros).

Three of the four lines of Treasury bonds (OATs) offered the 4.25% in October 2017, the 3.25% in October 2021, the 3.0% in April 2022 (refer to the OAT ence to 10 years), interest rates have declined from previous auctions.

The weighted average rate of the OAT 6.0% in October 2025 stood at 3.31%. The AFT, which manages the state debt, does not provide a comparison, the bond not been available for many months.

The rate of OAT reference (benchmark) 10-year stood at 2.96% against 2.98% in April. After the auction, the rate fell further in the secondary market at 2.93%, the yield spread with the German Bund at 10 years, the euro area benchmark, contracting six basis points to 133.

Auctions of France and that of Spain, now the focus of investor concerns, helped ease the situation in the market for government bonds in the euro area.

The Spanish Treasury has placed 2.5 billion euros of bonds in three to five years – the maximum referred – but unlike AFT, he had to concede a higher risk premium than in previous auctions.

Overall demand for OAT reached 18.64 billion euros, providing a comfortable coverage ratio. 

"It seems that the relative uncertainty of the presidential election has not weighed heavily. They managed to raise the maximum referred to lower rates and with a coverage ratio decent, "said John Davies, rates strategist at WestLB.

"Holland has softened his speech on the new fiscal pact (…) and said he just wanted to add stimulus to growth," he says, adding that the positions of President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi and Chancellor Angela Merkel have also evolved.

"We realize that the pure austerity can not walk. The conflict that the market feared when Holland came to power might not be as insurmountable as we thought at first sight, "said John Davies

…. ….. "Solid as usual, decent rates. Where is the political risk? "Said Peter Chatwell, rates strategist at Credit Agricole CIB in London, about the French auction

.

The new futures contract on OAT, due in June, hit a high (126.75) since its launch on April 16 on Eurex, the market for die riveted to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

Around 12:30, he was earning 57 cents to 126.69 in a volume of more than 11,000 contracts. Open positions reached 43,223 against 58,000 batches on Italian BTP future, launched in 2009 by Eurex.

The Bund future, benchmark futures contracts in the euro zone fell by 14 cents to 141.59 in a volume of more than 202,000 contracts. Positions on maturity in June exceeded the 13 million lots.

The blacklist of tax havens in 2012 was reduced to a trickle, from 18 to 8 members this year. The government is attacked for its laxity. The headquarters of the Cayman National Bank in George Town. The Cayman Islands belong to the core of tax havens.

The list of states considered by France as uncooperative in terms of transparency and exchange of tax information has been updated for 2012.

Surprised, she has been drastically reduced: exactly eleven states have been removed (Anguilla, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Grenada, Cook Islands, Islands and Caicos Turkey, Liberia, Oman, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have been removed from this list) for a single added (Bostwana). Among the endless extras, we can see Brunei, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Niue Island, or the Philippines.  

In total, in less then ten states listed on French blacklist of tax havens. The withdrawal was decided, either because these countries have concluded with France a bilateral agreement to exchange any information necessary for the application of their tax law, or in reciprocal because the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (OECD) has removed himself from the list.

Sometimes this can lead to some contradictions, as in the case of Costa Rica came out of the French list, even as the World Forum reminded last week that "the law might hinder the effectiveness of exchange of information ".

"A sustained vigilance"

Asked about this issue by Nicole Bricq, general rapporteur of the Finance Committee of the High Assembly, Valérie Pécresse has ensured that the states concerned were subject to sustained vigilance. "The challenge for the coming years was to put the agreements under vigilance" has justified the Minister of Budget. Before insisting: "I think we should be very firm on the implementation of agreements." But Valérie Pécresse admits, some countries with which France has signed agreements are still experiencing "pain points" in the image of Switzerland. Recently a delegation of Bercy was sent to Geneva to say that the implementation of the agreements was not satisfactory.

According to figures released by the Ministry, 77 000 French bank accounts abroad were identified in 2010, three times more than in 2007. Ms. Pécresse also said that tax audits had reported 16 billion euros in 2010, "1 billion more than in 2009," did she congratulated.

An enthusiasm not shared advocates the fight against tax havens. According to the NGO CCFD-Terre Solidaire (Catholic Committee against Hunger and for Development), at least 20 billion euros each year would continue to escape the budget of the French government because of tax evasion. In a report last October, the NGO also points out that according to the Tax Justice Network, it is not 8 but 54 states in the world who cultivate a "high degree of financial opacity", nearly a quarter countries of the planet should be placed on the gray or black list.

Specifically, the inclusion on the blacklist French is not trivial for states. For businesses located there are heavily taxed by France. The rate of withholding tax on passive income (dividends, interest, royalties) are 50% when they are poured into an entity present in the territory uncooperative. In addition, certain provisions of the parent-subsidiary regime are removed as the exemption of 95% of corporation tax on dividends paid by a subsidiary to its parent.

Industrial production in France rose 0.3% in February, thanks to the consumption of gas and electricity induced by the cold wave.

Industrial production in France rose slightly by 0.3% in February, thanks to the consumption of gas and electricity induced by the cold wave, is now on the same rate as in January (0.2%, revised), announced Tuesday the National Institute of Statistics (INSEE). In the manufacturing industry alone, which excludes mining and construction, production was down sharply by 1.2% over one month, after a slight increase of 0.2% in January, said INSEE in a statement.

Over the last three months, production was down 1.1% in manufacturing and 0.5% in the entire industry. Over this period, production was down in the "other industrial products" (-1.2%), in the agricultural and food industries (-0.8%) and transport equipment (-0.7%) . The refining business suffers from maintenance outages, with a decline of 7.2%. Manufacturing production for the last three months has significantly decline (-1.6%) compared to the same three months last year. Over the same period, production has fallen sharply in the "other industries" (-2.0%), transport equipment (-2.7%), as well as in electrical, electronic, computer and machinery ( -0.4%).

She also declined sharply in the refining (-13.1%), mainly because of the shutdown of the refinery in Little Crown, according to INSEE. For February alone, refining is down 5.1% after a 12.0% drop in January. The production also decreases in the rubber, plastic and non-metallic minerals because of the cold wave (-6.7%), metallurgy and metal products (-1.7%), chemicals (-1.7%) textiles, clothing, leather and footwear (-1.5%). However it increases by 2.1% in "other manufacturing". It was down in electrical equipment (-4.3%), computer products, electronic and optical products (-2.3%) and remained stable in machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (0.0%). It remains stable in the other transport equipment (-0.1%) and automotive (0.1%).

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%)

.

Deficit to around 6.4 billion euros in February, the balance of foreign trade has suffered because of the cold spell which caused an increase in energy purchases. Customs estimate that exports have benefited from "buoyant manufacturing sales".

The trade deficit widened substantially France in February compared with the previous month, reaching 6.398 billion euros, Customs said Friday. "In February, the surge in imports is partly attributable to energy purchases related to the cold wave, which leads to relativize the rising deficit to -6.398 billion euros, after -5593000000 in January," said Customs in a statement.  

"The cold wave that hit France and implementation of maintenance work on three French refineries led to a sharp surge in energy supply (electricity and refined petroleum products)", said the Customs. Imports amounted to 43.553 billion euros and exports 37.155 billion when adjusted for seasonal variations and the number of working days.

Exports have benefited from "buoyant manufacturing sales, while those of agricultural products and military equipment contract sharply again," commented Customs. Exports of transport equipment have found "their best", due to large supplies of satellites and a recovery in exports of motor vehicles.  

Dynamic exports to Russia and the Middle East

Customs also noted "the good performance of electronic and electrical equipment and metal products (oil and nuclear industries)." By region, exports remained nearly stable to the countries of the European Union but have been "particularly strong" to Europe outside the EU (deliveries of parts of satellites to Russia) and the Near and Middle East (aeronautics and industrial equipment). In contrast, sales to America have been reduced (fuel, after a peak in January, and chemicals).

Import side, in addition to the surge in purchases of energy products, Customs stressed that "the level of aircraft acquisitions to Germany is also occasionally very high." "Import growth also reflects the continued strength of metals purchases, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, household appliances and electrical products and automotive industry," the statement said.

Regions, in February, increased purchases from the EU has accelerated: from Germany for the aerospace, Spain, Belgium and Sweden for energy products. Imports also increased since the rest of Europe (Switzerland for electricity and the pharmacy, Russia for natural hydrocarbons and refined products), but shrank from the Middle East. The deficit of 12 months completed end of February stood at 70.051 billion euros. The negative balance record set by France in 2011 was also again revised up to 70.437 billion, after a first revision to 70.104 billion euros on 8 March.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended down on Tuesday, causing the yen to profit taking on the values ​​that were well mounted exporting since January.

The Nikkei ended down 0.59% or 59.48 points, to 10,050.39 points while the Topix retreated in the same proportions (-5.03 points) to 851.02 Points .

The dollar is trading around 81.89 yen after three weeks of low points touched 81.55 yen on trading platform EBS in early trading.

Toyota, which has won over 37% since the beginning of the year, has limited its decline to 0.28%, while Sony has lost 0.58%. Its gain since the beginning of the year exceeds 20%.

The three-party coalition government in Greece have agreed on a set of new austerity measures to implement in return for a second international aid plan ; Athens.

This agreement was confirmed by Mario Draghi, the chairman of the European Central Bank (ECB), itself informed by the Prime Minister of Greece Lucas Papademos.

"A few minutes ago, I received a call from the Greek Prime Minister said that agreement had been concluded and approved by the major parties," said Mario Draghi in Frankfurt.

These austerity measures are required by the ECB, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release a second with at least 130 billion euros to avoid bankruptcy in Greece. 

The negotiations between the socialist PASOK, New Democracy conservatives and the far-right LAOS have been difficult because of the hostility displayed by much of the population, already subjected to a rigorous treatment drastically since 2010.

The Director General of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, on Wednesday approved the holding of a referendum in Greece on the rescue plan passed by the Europeans. All the latest news. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced the holding of a referendum in January in Greece, to check the public support for austerity plans adopted by the country.

9:56: "The Greek referendum can be won" according to Pascal Lamy.Interrogé France Inter on Wednesday morning, the Director General of the World Trade Organization has justified the holding of a referendum in Greece. On the one hand, it "is normal that the people decide." On the other hand, argues that it is not in "the interest of creditors dealer with a government" which may be weakened and not reversed its commitments. "Finally, he believes that" from what my friends tell me Greek, the referendum can be won.The Greeks are probably able to appreciate that this or something even worse. "He admits, however, that the collapse of the euro area is" not totally ruled out a possibility today. "

9:34: "China sincerely hopes the stability of the euro area and the euro," said Hu in an interview with Le Figaro on the eve of the opening in Cannes for a G20 summit, to be dominated by the issue of European sovereign debt. The Chinese president is silent, however, on specific measures that China could hang in helping Europe to solve this crisis, in particular its proposed participation in a relief fund for highly indebted countries.