US & World News

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.

The economic downturn continued in September in the major economies, particularly Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Brazil, show OECD leading indicators published Monday.

Declined for the sixth consecutive month, the leading indicators are below the 100 – which distinguishes the increase in lower activity – in most countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Japan, the United States and Russia are the only three countries where the leading indicators remain above that level.

The CLI for the OECD area as a whole declined to 100.4 in September from 100.9 in August to 101.4 in July.

The G7 folds 100.6 after 101.1.

G20 countries Thursday put the finishing touches on a concerted action plan to try to put the global economy on the path to a sustainable and balanced growth and discussed the possibility of increasing IMF resources to help countries reeling from economic shocks.

According to a draft final statement dated November 2, they should agree at the end of their summit in Cannes on the need for countries with high deficits to put their finances straight and for those who have surplus boost domestic demand.

As part of this plan, Italy, which is in the eye of the storm of the European crisis, promise to reduce debts and deficits (see) to quickly bring in 120% from 2012 in its public debt of national wealth."There is a broad consensus on the need for additional financing (…) We will work on it tonight and tomorrow," she said.

PASSAGES IN WHITE

If the passages devoted to IMF resources and currency remain white, indicating that these issues are still debated, the draft final communique is also no real surprise.

Given the risk of future crises, the G20 leaders are considering a proposal to create a new credit facility in the short term the IMF to help countries that are virtuous face of exogenous shocks ().

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.

European stock markets closed sharply higher Friday driven by hopes for concrete decisions for the euro area. Update on four major issues of the summit on Sunday. The European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel in Brussels.

European stock markets have taken the bull by the horns Friday night, driven by renewed optimism for two days of the EU summit must respond to the crisis in the euro area. Paris ended up 2.8%, Frankfurt 3.5%, London 1.9%, 2.8% and Madrid. The eyes are now fixed on Brussels, which is expected to announce concrete steps Sunday to save Greece, prevent contagion of the crisis in fragile countries in the euro area, and reassure the markets.Update on four major issues in this summit.

The loan to Greece is he paid?

Greece has a positive decision of the creditors (IMF, EU, ECB) after passing the test on Wednesday and Thursday of the street. Parliament passed a new law Thursday austerity which provides further wage cuts and layoffs in the setting of 30,000 employees. But if the payment of this sixth installment of the loan of 110 billion seems to be accepted by Brussels, the IMF's involvement is less. The institution is actually more pessimistic than Europe on the development of public finances of the country.

What level of discount for Greece?

The discussions relate "50%" according to a European source. This level imposed on the country's private creditors would erase 67.5 billion euros of Greek debt that will culminate later this year to 357 billion euros (about 162% of GDP).That's a lot more than what was agreed at the Summit of 21 July, the discount was set at the time to 21% of the commitment of private creditors. If this hypothesis is confirmed, this discount will remove 20% of the debt. The Union of Greek Industrialists (SEV) held Friday consequences "dramatic" if this level should be imposed on private creditors. But this statement should not weigh very heavy in view of the issues … However, the whole question is about the ability of Europe to offer a discount to private creditors 'voluntary' of their claims. For without this principle, the credit event could be delivered, which would open the door to bankruptcy of the country.

How much money to recapitalize the banks?

To allow banks to withstand losses on the country's debt, the EU will reassess the capital ratios of European banks to the tune of 9%.For this, the European Banking Authority (EBA) has assessed the need for recapitalization of banks from 80 to 100 billion euros. The question is whether this amount will be enough to reassure the markets knowing that the IMF rather evoked a level of capitalization to 200 billion euros. In all cases, the major European banks were against a forced recapitalization. And warned that, given the difficulties to obtain financing, this would lead them to reduce the size of their balance sheets. In other words, to reduce their lending activity.

How to strengthen the EFSF?

This is where things get complicated. For Paris and Berlin have not yet found agreement on the issue. For France, it would give the banking license to the European Financial Stability (EFSF) to enable it to refinance with the European Central Bank (ECB).Leverage and the ability to fund intervention limited to 440 billion euros that can lift the markets. Paris also wants the ECB to continue to buy bonds fragile as it has done for over a year. But Berlin and the ECB refuses, and instead want to change the Fund's insurer. It would ensure any losses would have to suffer the investors in the bonds of fragile states up to 20 to 30% in case of difficulty in these states to honor their commitments. This idea has received support Friday from 10 major European banks and insurers. But here, in addition to France, Spain and Italy do not agree. Rome and Madrid, this will create a rate difference between bonds and debentures. "No one in a financial crisis, venture to purchase securities that need a crutch," said EU official.This is mainly because of these disagreements has been decided a second peak of the euro area, next Wednesday.

European authorities began Wednesday to prepare the banks of the continent to a possible failure of Greece.

For the first time since the crisis began, bank supervisors have decided to enhance their market sovereign debt held by banks in the EU as part of the recapitalization process in progress, officials said Wednesday European source.

The EBA, which will retain a definition of bank capital similar to that used in the last series of stress tests in July, will harden further 9% threshold due to equity "hard", reflecting the wishes of Paris and Berlin and by the European Commission on Wednesday in his "roadmap" to end the crisis.

"This is an exercise prudential.It is therefore logical that the ABE values ​​sovereign debt to market value or a value very close to that market, "said a source familiar with the discussions.

Regarding the definition of capital, "it corresponds to that used by the BEA in July.This is harder than the current one but is softer than that provided by the new Basel III standards, "the source said.

Once it receives the data that are currently provided by the banks, the EBA will prepare a proposed recapitalization of institutions of systemic Twenty-September for the meeting of EU finance ministers to be held October 21 , the day before the EU summit.

ROADMAP

This will be adopted simultaneously with the new bailout of Greece, which must reduce the debt of Athens so much greater than had been planned in July and then revise upward contribution "voluntary "the private sector.

According to several European sources, the losses that private investors must accept their obligations in the Greek part of the new plan should be between 30 and 50%, not 21% as expected.

Institute for International Finance (IIF), the discount would represent 39% when using the current market prices to assess the risk profile of the country

The roadmap of the Commission also calls on members of the euro area to complete without delay the ratification of the new European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF).

Last country to have to run, Slovakia will vote by Friday, officials said Wednesday following the agreement between three parties of the government resigned and the main opposition party.

The roadmap, which calls in line with discussions held at the EBA to a building "significant" capital requirements of banks, also advocates a recapitalization through private funds, which will be supplemented by funds public and by loans from the EFSF in case of negative response from the market.

France, who insisted behind the scenes for several days to use the EFSF as an instrument of coordination in the recapitalization of banks, said Wednesday it would not appeal.

"EURO BONDS"

The other two parts of the document from the Commission concerning the acceleration of measures currently being discussed in Brussels, but designed to boost European growth and most importantly, the implementation faster than expected European Stability Mechanism (MES).

The MES, which was to come into force on 1 July 2013, finally begin to operate on 1 July 2012 according to the wishes of the Commission. It includes a device that allows a country to default on its debt in an orderly manner.

"The roadmap traces the path to the exit of the economic crisis for Europe. The partial answers to the various aspects of the crisis are no longer sufficient.We need to take the lead, "said Commission President José Manuel Barroso to the European Parliament.

"We must reach an agreement at the EU summit of 23 October," he said, also urging the leaders of the euro area to release the next tranche of aid to Greece.

He also confirmed that the EU executive would present by the end of the year a proposal to create a framework for joint programming of debt between members of the euro area, also known as "Euro bonds."

Unemployment Gross of Germany continues to fall. He reached again in September, a record low at 6.6% of the workforce.

The gross rate of unemployment in Germany down again. The level reached in September has a new record low at 6.6%, ignoring the economic uncertainty and the crisis of the euro. The unemployment rate fell to gross 6.6% in September, as against 7% in July and August, which already marked its lowest level since the reunification of the country, according to figures released Thursday by the Employment Agency. Its level is the lowest for 20 years.

In data adjusted for seasonal values, the unemployment rate also fell to 6.9% against 7% a month earlier. This represents 26,000 fewer unemployed, where economists were expecting 10,000 less."The demand for labor remains strong," said the director of the Employment Agency, in a statement, and that while the situation in Germany, as in the euro area is marked by uncertainty .

Recent surveys of the financial community (ZEW) and entrepreneurs (Ifo) portend a slowdown in economic activity in the coming months. Already in the second quarter, the German economy had slowed sharply, with GDP rising by only 0.1%. Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, on a table growth "closer to 3% than 2.5%" this year, the official government forecast of 2.6%.

European shares closed higher Friday on hopes of Action of the European Central Bank and government to mitigate the effects of the crisis of sovereign debt in the euro zone and support banks.

However, caution remains the watchword.

Bank stocks recorded the highest increase in Europe with a sectoral Stoxx index which gained 3.53%.

In Paris, BNP Paribas (9.78%), Societe Generale (8.76%) and Credit Agricole (4.78%), which was this week in the eye of the storm because of their exposure to Greek and Italian debt, eventually leading to increases in the CAC 40 on market rumors paying for the government to carry out some form of recapitalization.SocGen and BNP did not wish to comment on these rumors.

The gains, however, show small-scale loss of investor confidence in the ability of governments to quickly implement practical solutions to the crisis of sovereign debt and boost savings on the brink of recession on both sides Atlantic.

This cocktail of strong concerns about the banks is causing serious losses in stock market indices.For the week, the CAC 40 dropped 7.29% in Paris and at European level the EuroStoxx 50 index dropped 6.17%.

"RAMPANT FAILURE OF GREECE"

The CAC 40 gained 1.02% Friday to 2810.111 points after touching a session in new low of 2693.21 points in the year, returning to its level in March 2009.

Risk aversion has stalled late in the session, the performance of the German government bond (Bund) and 10 years, fell in the day to a new record low at 1.64%, found its level Thursday (1.75%) at the close of stock markets.

The euro meanwhile pondered over $ 1.35 and was trading around 1.3508 dollar.

Other major European markets, London

gained 0.5%, 0.63% Frankfurt, Milan 1.36%.The pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 index has been 1.52%.

"Operation Twist (the Fed) has failed to revive stock markets. It is a terrible verdict, a confirmation that governments no longer able to stimulate the economy central banks find themselves faced with the challenge to bring to his aid, "wrote Vincent Chaigneau and Ciaran O'Hagan, rates strategist at Societe Generale in their weekly note.

"They will continue to shoot in the dark, hoping to keep away the ghost of recession.Good luck, "they said, stressing that the stress imposed on the funding of banks is" a great threat to the economy. "

Pichard for Franklin, director of Barclays Bourse France, "markets do not stop to include a default rampant in Greece (although it is true that the 'political' do nothing to speed things up) and the recapitalization of some European banks. "

Cyclical stocks such as Technip (-3.93%) and Alstom (-2.52%) recorded the largest declines the CAC 40.

The Russian gas group Gazprom said Tuesday a 42% increase in profits in the first quarter to 478.5 billion rubles (11.5 billion euros).

The markets did not expect that an average increase of 29%.

Revenues increased 38% to 1.317 billion rubles, the gas monopoly of European customers increased their purchases.

Analysts polled by Reuters on average expected a turnover of 1.259 billion rubles.

In a statement, Gazprom said its results were driven by an average increase of 21% of its gas tariffs from one year to another, as well as its diversification into energy.

The total gas sales rose 10% in the first quarter to 178.3 billion cubic meters.Sales in Russia remained stable at 102.5 billion m3, but exports to Europe rose by 8.4% to 46.6 billion m3, and those toward the former republics of the Soviet Union jumped 70.5% to 29 billion m3.

The trade deficit the U.S. has grown against all odds in June to its highest level since October 2008, due to a decline in exports and imports indicate a slowdown in global demand, according to figures released Thursday by Commerce.

The trade balance posted a deficit of 53.07 billion dollars, while the market expected it to be reduced to 48 billion.

In May, the deficit had risen to 50.83 billion (50.23 billion in the first estimate).

Exports fell 2.3% against -0.5% in May, faster than imports (-0.8% after +2.9% in May).