US & World News

Right in the debate on a more vigorous European Central Bank (ECB) in the rescue of the euro, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union said it had "the potential" to resolve the debt crisis. ECB

The U.S. ambassador to the European Union suggested Tuesday that the European Central Bank had the "potential" to do more to resolve the debt crisis in the euro zone, while the debate rages in Europe on this issue. "We are following with keen attention that the European Central Bank is able to do and the potential it has to do more" to the crisis, said William Kennard, in a meeting with some journalists in Brussels.Many economists believe that only the ECB is now able to effectively firefighters to extinguish the fire and should follow the example of the Federal Reserve (Fed). The U.S. central bank acts as "lender of last resort" for the administration by buying unlimited market U.S. Treasury bonds.

"At the peak of the (financial) crisis that we experienced (USA), we were able to use the Fed in a manner different from that in which Europe can use the ECB. It s' acts of a fundamental structural difference, "said the ambassador. Mr. Kennard said would not know how to change the debt crisis. "The outcome of this crisis is quite unpredictable, we do not know how it will be resolved and I think nobody knows," he said.

Ahold announced Monday a series of measures to accelerate growth, new cost cuts and a boost to the dividend, the Dutch retailer hoping to convince investors of the strength of his model.

While the group has performed better than its commercial rivals in recent quarters, as Ahold trades at a discount to many other names in the industry, because of the feeling that the company is too exposed to low growth markets.

Ahold, owner of the first supermarket chain in the Netherlands Albert Heijn, produces some 60% of its sales in the U.S., with retailers Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle.

The company last week released the results better than expected in the third quarter with a 5% increase in earnings, rising food prices and market share gains have boosted sales despite difficult market conditions .

Among the measures included in a presentation to investors, including the group intends to triple its online sales, to 1.5 billion euros, and open at least 150 stores over the next five years.

Specifically, Ahold wants to open at least 50 supermarkets in Belgium after the results of two test stores already established in the country.

Alstom said on Friday plan to establish up to two production sites offshore wind in France if the consortium to which it belongs is held in satisfactory conditions at the end of the call for tenders launched in July by the government.

These two production of components and assembly of offshore wind turbines six megawatts – one in Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique) and one in Cherbourg (Manche) – could generate up to 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 indirect jobs, the group argues in a statement.

The specialist in energy infrastructure and transport is part of a consortium of six companies led by EDF Energies Nouvelles, which also includes Dong Energy Nass & Wind Offshore, Offshore wpd Poweo and ENR.

Alstom is prepared to invest up to 100 million euros in these two sites "if the consortium is selected at a level that ensures a critical industrial scale."

The project, covering a total capacity of 3,000 megawatts (MW) in five areas, corresponding to half the target set by the government to install 6,000 MW offshore by 2020, equivalent to almost four times the power of a nuclear reactor EPR.

GDF Suez, together with Vinci and Areva, are part of a rival consortium.

Candidates have until January 11, 2012 to submit their bids. They will be screened in April 2012 and retained permanently in 2013.

The French left the presidency of the European Central Bank on October 31. It gives way to the Italian Mario Draghi. Record of eight years of a presidency marked by the seal of the crisis. The mandate of Jean-Claude Trichet President of the ECB ended October 31, 2011

The least we can say is that the end of term Jean-Claude Trichet has not been easy. The French left the European Central Bank (ECB), after eight years of presidency, when the euro area is experiencing a critical step – critical? – Of its crisis. For if the Europe Agreement birth Thursday morning in pain is an important step in the short term, it does not eliminate all long-term risks of contagion from the debt crisis.

We do not worship nor hate Jean-Claude Trichet, as it is more consensual than cleaving – it boasts of never having been outvoted by the Governing Council of the ECB. We respect him.For he succeeded in making the institution of Frankfurt an economic and political front. The markets were suspended in any of his words at monthly conferences of the ECB on interest rates. And since Europe is in crisis, he took part in EU summits as well as leaders and heads of government of member states of Euroland.

The route of Jean-Claude Trichet

1942: Born in Lyon

1969-1971: ENA

1978-1981: Economic Advisor, Valerie Giscard d'Estaing

1986-1987: Director of the Office of Edouard Balladur, Minister of Finance

1987-1993: Director of Treasury

1993-2003: Governor of the Banque de France

2003-2011: President of the European Central Bank

Of the review of eight years as president of the ECB, it can be fierce independence vis-à-vis the Franco-German policies.No sooner did he take the levers of the ECB in November 2003, accusing Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schröder to gut the Stability Pact. In 2010, he opposed the will of Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel to involve private investors in the rescue of Greece. But we remember also its renewed calls for member states to implement a real economic governance of the euro area. Not to mention his extraordinary responsiveness during the financial crisis in August 2007 first, then in October 2008, noting that the interbank market is frozen, the ECB is the first to lend banks as much liquidity as they wish.

The strong euro, the result of the fight against inflation

Two of his actions, however, are highly controversial.

For the first time since 2008, the price and the number of transactions in the old housing declined in France in 2011. Only Paris continues to grow. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcattiaux/

For the first time since late 2008, the start of the economic crisis, the number of transactions and house prices falling in France, a trend likely to continue in 2012, according to a survey by the AFP with leading real estate networks. "Sales of existing homes fell 11% in France between the 3rd quarters of 2010 and 2011, while prices fell by 2.7% between the first half and third quarter of 2011," said Laurent Vimont, Chair Century 21, a leading network of estate agents.

Paris alone, due to demand still much stronger than supply, see the prices continue to increase, reaching a new record in Q3 8556 eurs/m2, says Vimont.After a price hike of 22.5% in the second quarter, the highest one-year for 20 years, house prices in the capital will soon level off or even declined slightly, had said in early September notaries in Paris. In the provinces, seven provinces reported, according to Century 21, a fall in prices in Q3: Burgundy (-9.7%), Central (-5.5%), Lorraine (-4.4%), Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur (-3.7%), Basse-Normandie (-3%), Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie (-3.4%), Champagne-Ardenne (-1.3%).

For Mr. Vimont, the main explanation lies in the fact that "over the solvency of first-time buyers who can not afford to buy, is broken." This decrease since mid-2011 transactions and prices is confirmed by the Real Estate Guy Hiccups."Higher mortgage rates and the presidential election should result in lower overall market in 2012," said its managing director Cédric Monssu. For Nicolas Jacquet, Executive Chairman of Urbania, the next increase in the tax on capital gains on sales of rental and second homes on 1 February 2012, resulted in "significant increase in the number of terms in Sales agencies ".

But in 2012, one can "expect for 2 or 3 years down the number of transactions as a number of people who have not reached withdraw their homes from the sale," he adds . "This announcement will have a devastating effect especially that the liquidity problems of banks should lead to a restriction in the distribution of mortgages," said Bernard Cadeau, president of the Orpi network.But this rush to sell for some households that had exceeded the limit of 15 years for tax exemption on capital gains has unintended consequences. "We remind sellers that we are bound by an obligation of means, not results, and we urge our customers to agree to sign a form stating that we are not liable for administrative delays," said Gilles Ricour Bourges, President for Ile-de-France of Fnaim (National Federation of the estate).

However, one sector is rubbing his hands at the moment: the luxury real estate. "We record a 20% increase in the number of terms because it is necessary that the promise of sale are signed before November 15 to make sure that the final acts to be registered with the notaries before February 1", told AFP Charles-Marie Jottras, Chairman Daniel Féau real estate."Non-standard goods have been no slowdown in demand, on the contrary. The category of quality goods, worth over EUR 1 million, did not suffer either in the capital and stations, sea or mountain fashion, "says Barnes network in a statement.

Canal + has breached commitments made at the acquisition of TPS, said Wednesday the Competition Authority, which withdraws the decision to authorize the transaction and places the encrypted string in a difficult position even as the authorities are looking at its stake in the TV division of Bolloré.

Vivendi's subsidiary is accused of several violations by the Authority of the 59 commitments made in 2006, some considered "essential", what prompted the regulator to decide on the first withdrawal of authorization in its history, plus a fine of 30 million euros.

The Authority one month left to the parties concerned to inform him of the operation again, which would be studied on a new basis.

"We will put everything flat.The authorization of 2006 no longer exists.We will discuss again all under the market situation today, "said Bruno Lasserre, President of the Authority, at a press conference.

The regulator could start by redefining the characteristics of the market affected by the operation, by drawing a border more or less clearly between the segments of pay television and free.

With a dominant position in pay TV, Canal + is a relatively small player in the free.

"There is no doubt that we will do a thorough review of this matter," whose outcome is likely to be one of two options: allow the operation by asking for new commitments to Canal +, or give a green light by imposing unilateral orders, said Bruno Lasserre.

Canal +, for its part that it would initiate action against that decision, saying it "is of course not possible to challenge a merger nearly five years."

The pay-TV may request that the State Council an interim order to suspend the regulator's decision, giving the necessary time to the State Council to rule on the merits of the case.

CONCESSIONS

The regulator's decision comes as the acquisition of a 60% of Canal + in the television division of the Bolloré group – which includes the general channel Direct 8 Direct Star and music, as well as advertising – is waiting for the green light authorities.

"Channel is clearly in a dominant position in the pay and instead abused.Now he wants to go in the free, "said one media analyst who declined to be named.

"I do not think that this decision will undermine the 'deal' with the GST or cancel Bolloré, but all this will lead to new commitments by Canal in both the paid and free."

Canal + has struck a blow in early September by announcing the takeover of two DTT channels free of Bolloré, a process seen by experts as a threat to TF1 and M6, and is expected to reshuffle the cards in the French media landscape .

If it is validated, the transaction would enable Canal Plus to have a total of three free channels on DTT counting i> Télé, making par with TF1, owner of NT1 and TMC, and distancing M6, W9 holder.

The subsidiary of Vivendi, however, could be asked of concessions by regulatory authorities, because the regulations up to seven the number of possible frequencies for the TNT group. However, the acquisition of Direct 8 Direct Star and bringing to eight the total channels of Canal +, not counting its draft free channel called Canal20.

Examination of the application and Direct 8 Direct Star will be done separately from that of the GST case, but delays are likely to be concurrent, around six months, said Bruno Lasserre.The Authority, he added, has not received any notification for the time of Canal + Group for the second file.

Ford reported a 9% increase in sales of new cars in the U.S. in July, as a percentage, better than General Motors, but worse than Chrysler.

The second U.S. automaker said it had passed 180,865 units last month.

Earlier in the day, General Motors announced a 7.6% increase in sales in July in the United States.

Chrysler shows in turn a 20% increase in sales.

Around 4:35 p.m. GMT, Ford gave 2.43% to 12.05 dollars and GM shares to 27.50 2.03% while the S & P 500 lost 1.07%.

The funds invested by Libya in France should be used to purchase medicines and food aid. A demonstration in support of the rebels Libyan National Transition Council to Benghazi in May 2011.

France has earmarked 259 million dollars, 182 million euros, of Libyan assets that have been available to the National Transitional Council (CNT) for "humanitarian purchases," said Monday the French Ministry of Foreign. "These are funds that belong to the Libyan people" and that "for the purchase of medicines, food products," said CNT's new ambassador in Paris, Mansour Saif al-Nasr at the end of a meeting with the head of French diplomacy Alain Juppe.

France considers that the CNT representative body of the rebellion against Muammar Gaddafi, is now the "sole owner of governmental authority" Jamahiriya.Alain Juppe "the caller said that the process of thawing of Libyan funds was successful and has enabled the LSC to provide the sum of $ 259 million. The CNT can now benefit from these funds for humanitarian purchases, in compliance with European regulations, "said a statement from the Quai d'Orsay.

"The special envoy of the CNT was informed that he could move into the premises of the Libyan embassy in Paris", they added the same source. The French "have promised to hand over the keys soon." The embassy "is currently under the protection of the French police," said Mansour Saif al-Nasr, who took office last week in Paris.

Ford reported Tuesday a better than expected for the second quarter.

Excluding items, earnings per share amounted to 65 cents against 68 cents a year ago. Analysts on average had forecast on this basis EPS of 60 cents, according to the consensus established by Thomson Reuters I / B / E / S.

In pre-market action is gaining 3.6% to 13.65 dollars.

Turnover was up 13% to $ 35.5 billion.The total net profit stood at 2.4 billion, or 59 cents a share, against 201 million in the second quarter 2010 (61 cents per share).

Now Ford shows eight consecutive quarters after accusing recipients of $ 30 billion in cumulative losses from 2006 to 2008, during which time the manufacturer had reduced its workforce, sold unprofitable brands and revamped its line overloaded and other large 4×4 pick- up.

The gold price reached a new record Monday in response to stalled negotiations on the U.S. debt, a few days of the date by which Washington could face a default situation.

The spot price of gold, which hit a peak at 1622.49 dollars an ounce, was up 1.1% to 1,615.74 dollars per ounce thereafter.

The forward price for August delivery gained 16.80 dollars to 1618.30 dollars an ounce, after reaching 1624.30 dollars.

The price of gold, which has reaped record during the last five quarters, is expected at the end of the week's biggest monthly increase since April.

The elected Democrats and Republicans in Congress have failed to agree on a compromise on how to achieve an increase in the ceiling of the debt and decided to work separately on separate projects.

While most investors believe in the conclusion of an agreement, the dollar always yields the field, as well as long-term U.S. bonds, in favor of gold.

"There are ultimately two choices: either you have a monetization of debt, a move towards fiscal consolidation (…). Before we had the last, the market will anticipate the first. It's just an excellent ad for the gold market, "said Nic Brown, an analyst at Natixis.