JP Morgan: water mill Regulators

 

"We told you so's you!" For U.S. policy makers who are struggling since 2010 to oversee Wall Street, the announcement of the disappointments of JPMorgan timely. While the final text of the U.S. banking regulation should be adopted in the coming months, the loss comes discredit the speech of one of their most brilliant opponents, the bank manager, Jamie Dimon. The man never tires for months to detail the disastrous economic consequences of a law too narrowly and to question the competence of its authors. "Today's announcement sounds like a strong reminder of the need for regulators to establish effective and stringent rules," he said at the Thursday night Democratic Senator Carl Levin of Michigan.

The debate on bank regulation in the United States, born after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, has refocused on the "Volcker rule", named after the former president of the Federal Reserve. This text prohibits banks that collect savings to speculate on their capital. He wants to draw a boundary between the regulated and the banking world of hedge funds, to prevent savers and taxpayers have to pay for reckless risk-taking. Once established, this principle raises numerous issues on which borders falling over for months and policies bankers. Wall Street has already received several exceptions weight. Trading, whose goal is not speculative but is intended to "cover" the risk of a bank, and would currently not affected by the law. Yet it is on this type of operation that JPMorgan has stumbled. Jamie Dimon admitted a hedging strategy "ineffective, poorly controlled, poorly built and all that follows." In short, a technical error, regrettable, but whose realization is possible in a risky world.

A speech inaudible to American politicians who have not forgotten the tens of billions of dollars spent in the bailouts of 2008. The loss of JPMorgan demonstrate the contrary, they argue, the need to extend the legislation. "The enormous loss of JPMorgan provides the latest evidence dated as what banks call" risk coverage "actually corresponds to paris often risky it is not normal that these institutions make systemic scale," said Senator Carl Levin.

Repercussions in France

The standoff will continue in the coming months. Its echoes will reverberate in Eu-rope. While the British have advanced to a strict separation of credit and market, the continent is still in full swing. At the community level, Commissioner Michel Barnier told the Finnish Erkki Liikanen to chair a task force, which should stop the cursor from the reform. Its conclusions are expected in the fall. The new French government should in parallel, and in connection with this commission, quickly present its proposals. Francois Hollande and future Minister of Economy advance probably this summer.

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AgroGeneration covers three continents

 

History does not put all your eggs in one basket, the agricultural subsidiary of Charles Beigbeder, AgroGeneration, just move up a gear in Argentina. The company created a joint venture with a local partner, the group La Suerte Agro, belonging to the family Lacau, whose roots lie in the Beam. It is present since 1880 in the agricultural sector in Argentina.

The partnership covers the operation of 14,000 hectares of GM crops: wheat, soybeans and corn. "The first risk is of a farmer's climatic hazard, said Charles Vilgrain, CEO of AgroGeneration. The best way to protect yourself is to be present in the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere with a harvest every six months. Not to mention that it also divides the political risk. "

The partner brings AgroGeneration Argentine land, the French entrepreneur, his expertise in the development of farmland. Already present in Ukraine, the group, which cultivates 50,000 hectares, is located in the upper range of yields published by other international actors, for example with 4 tons per hectare for wheat and 1.8 tonnes for the rapeseed.

As in Argentina, the company does not own the land it operates in Ukraine. "This is a less capital-intensive investment," says Charles Vilgrain. Thus, to 2,000 euros on average per hectare of land quality in Ukraine, AgroGeneration should have spent 100 million euros to get their hands on the land he tills. The company preferred to hire them. Result, it quickly became profitable. In 2011 it produced nearly 164,000 tons of grain for a turnover of more than 23 million euros and a net profit of EUR 2 pay day loan lenders.3 million. But the adventure might not stop there way.

Strategic areas

"One day we will also be in Africa, there is much to do to meet the growing population and needs five times more important in agricultural commodities in the next fifty years, said Charles Vilgrain. There are three strategic agricultural areas in the globe where you must be: the Eastern Europe, Latin America but also Africa, the official added. International groupings have already taken place at the trading level of the meat but not at those specialized in field crops such as wheat. AgroGeneration wants to get the ball rolling. "

A vein that attracts the greed of investors. "The agricultural commodities sector is increasingly financialized," said Michel Portier, Agritel manager specializing in risk management on agricultural commodity prices. Other examples: the land of the management company Pergam Paris, Campos Orientales. "We have 30,000 hectares of farmland in Argentina and 25 000 hectares in Uruguay, explains Olivier Combastet, président.Notre its production is very diversified in rice farming, wheat, barley or soybeans. "Closer to home, Russia, Dreyfus, through its holding reset Agro, already controls 90,000 hectares of farmland and 150,000 hectares is the term.

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Retirees continue Greece

 

Two Greek citizens seeking nothing less than the cancellation of the debt exchange transaction completed on March 12, which allowed Greece to considerably lighten his burden. A wealthy widow of 76 years and a retired undertook to continue the Greek state court, aggrieved by the restructuring of sovereign debt to their country, they held bonds. The widow puts its losses at around 200,000 euros and 4000 euros retired, or about half of their initial investment. "This is the first time that Greek investors take legal action against the state by asking the court to declare illegal and unconstitutional the decree implementing the debt exchange," said a source at Reuters court.

March 12, Greece is indeed managed to finalize the largest debt restructuring in history. 85% of private creditors – mainly banks, insurance companies and funds – have agreed to exchange their obligations under Greek law against new longer maturity bonds, and a value less than half. A massive turnout, which allowed Greece to force reluctant investors to participate in turn in the exchange, that is to say to make losses. With this agreement, Greece has reduced its debt by 107 billion euros, a total of 350 billion euros installment payday loans. A prerequisite to payment of a new international aid, totaling 130 billion euros, of which Greece was badly needed to meet its deadlines. This debt forgiveness can also expect the country to achieve a ratio of debt to GDP from 120.5% in 2020.

This is the start of "collective action clauses", by which Greece has forced investors reluctant to join the exchange, which is currently being challenged by some of its creditors. 110 of them, a German national, had already announced, following the restructuring, they had hired a law firm to seek redress. This is not so much the outbreak of collective action clauses is disputed, the fact that these clauses have been introduced retroactively. Some creditors believe that the rules were changed along the way, illegally. The judicial process may however take several years. Argentina, who also conducted a decade ago to a partial restructuring of its debt is still within the scope of prosecution.

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PS project: the note gets longer

 

During the presentation of his project in late January, Francois Hollande announced 20 billion of new spending, financed mainly by tax increases and some savings. The Enterprise Institute is in general agreement with the encryption of the Socialist Party.

But the think tank (think tank) notes that the candidate PS has proposed in its draft other measures that do not appear in the details of 20 billion. As such, the ecological transition (1 online payday loan lenders.8 billion per year according to the Institute), very high speed over the entire territory (1 billion), hiring employment center (0.8 to 1.2 billion ). Added to this are the measures announced later, the bill may be between 3.9 and 6.5 billion per year in 2017, according to the Institute. By itself, the establishment of an early childhood service would cost 1.8 to 3.7 billion.

In crisp TNT, UPS requires a leader

 

It only took a month of discussions that management of TNT Express, a former subsidiary of the Dutch post, accept the proposed UPS. The American giant of more than 400,000 employees whose turnover in 2011 exceeded more than $ 50 billion has evolved its offering at a time when TNT Express through a bad patch. This has indeed posted a net loss of 270 million euros in 2011 against a profit of 66 million euros in 2010.

UPS approached by mid-February, leaders of TNT Express had rejected an offer that valued the company 4.9 billion euros. But to 5.16 billion euros, UPS was unanimous. This acquisition will enable the U.S. group found mainly across the Atlantic to catch up. In the business of courier, transporting small packages, UPS accounted for only 7.7% of the European market against 9.6% for TNT Express, Fedex and 3.3% to 17.6% for DHL, a subsidiary Deutsche Post, according to figures from Transport Intelligence firm.

While approaching, the two biggest names in express transportation become a European leader in size to cross swords with DHL and especially a world champion since their continental positions complement each other. An asset to get the green light from competition authorities even if Deutsche Post yesterday estimated that the European Commission would consider merging with caution.

The new group formed should weigh a turnover of $ 60 billion and 477,000 employees. By comparison, another U.S. giant, Fedex, achieved a turnover of $ 41 billion in 2011 and employs 290,000 people.

Target: 50% of international sales

The presence of UPS TNT in different regions of the world should stabilize as sales in the U payday loans online.S. will increase from 74% to 64% UPS only for the new group and Europe will reach 22% after the operation against 14% for the only American group.

"Why TNT is it very attractive?" Asked Kurt Kuehn, UPS's chief financial officer, during a press conference in Amsterdam: "Because he manages operations in areas of the world that were unserved: Brazil, Australia, Middle East, the road and rail networks in Europe. "The objective announced by UPS is to reach 50% of sales overseas in the next five years against 26% at present. 

Financially, the acquisition should help to achieve one billion euros in savings, once the integration of TNT Express will be accomplished. Clearly, the group provides $ 400 to 550 million euros in savings per year from 2015 through improved efficiency of logistics platforms, an optimization of aircraft fleets, purchasing … However, the CFO UPS declined to answer questions on possible job cuts among the ranks of TNT. The transaction, which must be profitable within the first year, could be completed in the third quarter of the year.

It is likely that the competitor UPS, Fedex, will not thwart the hostile bid. Especially since the competitor UPS does not have $ 3 billion in cash.

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The temperature drops, sales climb Damart

 

The sudden blizzard that hit on France warms accounts Damart. Sales of underwear Thermolactyl, the fiber's flagship brand, jumped with negative temperatures: + 255% in distance selling and + 155% in-store. This is much better than other products that have received a boost from the cold wave. According Climpact, sales of creams have increased by 86%, while soups recorded an increase of 25%.

At Darmart, we do not shout victory, however. This excellent performance indeed occur after a mild winter, and consequently very bad for business of specialist cold weather. The brand claims to have suffered less Roubaix this winter too lenient than the competition. "February sales have not saved the season, because we can not recover in two weeks what is lost in three months, said Christine Pageot, executive director of Damart France. But however much it helps start the spring season. "

Each degree Celsius worth its weight in gold in the hot underwear. "From late September, the correlation is very strong between temperature and sales of underwear," says Christine Pageot. These flows especially in October and April, the lowest month, where sales have reached only the fifth best month, December.

Two new concepts to shop

Sales are very responsive to temperature: a drop of ten degrees can be doubled. "The weather and the trappings are flocking orders: the windshield of the car he must scratch, the first appearance of gels," says Christine Pageot payday loans for self employed.

The Thermolactyl, invented in 1953, still accounts for one quarter of sales of the brand (350 million euros last year). The fiber was invented street Dammartin Despature by three brothers, a family of clothiers based in Roubaix since 1850.

In a little less than sixty years, the garment house has changed. The plants are parties in Tunisia, the fiber has evolved into a more silky material and odorless, and lace patterns or trends were established.

If the distance selling is still the majority of sales (55%), the 80 stores in France are the subject of much attention. Two new concepts were launched in 2010 and 2011. First the Damart Sport, with a shelf lined underwear adapted to intensive sport or relaxation, fibers made from breathable or more drinks, designed for summer. Then the Happy D., specially dedicated to the senior client. The favorite of the sign, because it buys for the whole family. Five shops offer ready-to-wear in a style more suited to the "new senior". The early returns are positive. But it is too early to take stock: the new shops did not know the summer season. See you next winter

.

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Asian stock markets are diving into the red on Tuesday. As in Europe and on Wall Street, investors are still worried by the problems of sovereign debt hitting the euro area and the United States. France is again threatened by Moody's AAA rating, which places her under surveillance increased and Spain is still attacked on the bond markets, despite the political transition of the weekend.

The disappointment is great after the "super-committee" responsible for the debt of the United States, which announced Monday not to have reached an agreement between left and right. The twelve members of the joint committee were responsible for the deficit of 1200 billion and had until midnight Wednesday to address their recommendations. President Barack Obama assured that the United States were not at risk of default.He said he was determined to keep the pressure on elected officials and threatened to veto any attempt by Congress to mitigate the budget cuts that are now automatically take effect.

Standard & Poor's and Moody's reported that U.S. credit rating would not be affected by the failure of these discussions. But Fitch said it would take by the end of a decision on the consequences of the failure of the "super-committee".

"Big disappointment" expected by Japan

In Japan, the new lock worried. Japanese Minister of Finance, Jun Azumi, fears a "big disappointment" of markets. The negative effect is felt at least on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which leaves 0.40% to 8314.74 points at closing.

Greece: the banks will have to contribute more

Creditor banks in Greece will have to accept losses "substantial" in the new bailout of the country known to be substantially revised at the deterioration of the situation in the country, warned Saturday. At a meeting of central bankers on Friday night in the only euro area, "we agreed to say that we had to have a substantial increase in the contribution of the banks' rescue of Greece, as a impairment of their claims, said the leader of European finance ministers, Jean-Claude Juncker.

According to diplomatic sources, the ministers agreed to effectively negotiate with the banks at a discount of "at least 50%" against a target of 21% decided on July 21 with the banking sector.They thus de facto endorsed the conclusions of an expert report which was presented by the troika of donor funds in Greece (EU, ECB and IMF). The paper believes that a discount of 50 or 60% hope to stabilize Greece without having to increase in the amount of gigantic international loans that have already been promised.

A "discount" is the term used in relation to the financial depreciation of the value of loans taken by creditors in this case private banks and investment funds that hold government debt. A discount of 50% of the private sector, the second program of public financial support pledged July 21 to Greece, however, should be slightly revised upwards with government loans (Europe and IMF) to 114 billion euros, against 109 billion euros at the time scheduled.To maintain the envelope of 109 billion euros unchanged, it would bring the discount to 60%, according to calculations by experts online payday loans.

"It is also an effort by the private sector"

In any event, the second bailout in late July, just after the first amounting to 110 billion euros agreed in spring 2010, will have to be redesigned. "It's pretty clear that we need a substantial discount on Greek debt," also said Saturday the Swedish Finance Minister Anders Borg on his arrival in Brussels for a meeting with colleagues from across the EU."We will now work on a new plan in Greek and this new plan is true that there is a substantial effort to Greece again, there is an effort by European countries and will also require an effort of the private sector" said his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders.

The question is whether the banks that have so far dragged its feet to give the pot, will accept a negotiated settlement does not pass through a default of Greece said "messy" serious consequences. "It's a negotiation s'entame," said Didier Reynders. In return for the effort required on the Greek claims, it is intended to recapitalize European banks to the tune of nearly 100 billion euros.The subject was Saturday in the agenda of the ministerial meeting, before a meeting in the evening between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the EU summit on Sunday.

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Tax: light drinks would not be spared

The fans thought they were lights beverage spared the tax on soft drinks made by the Government in late August. Did not count on a UMP Amendment / New Centre approved in committee Wednesday as part of the review of the draft budget 2012. While the amount of tax on sugary soft drinks is on track to be doubled, MPs are now looking to expand the scope of this tax on soda beverages containing sweeteners.

The government, which did not include this option in the first place, now says not to exclude the idea. "It is the wishes of the parliament, we will discuss," said the spokesman of the government, Valérie Pécresse, on the set of Canal + on Thursday.

The stakes are high for the government because the sugar-free drinks, but with sweeteners that give a sweet taste, is increasingly consumed.Today, they account for 17% of the soft drinks market with strong brands like Diet Coke or Coke Zero.

No figures have yet been provided about the extra tax revenue that would generate this new amendment, if adopted in plenary session. The previous amendment adopted by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, to double the amount of tax, also remains to be validated by all the members. By itself, it could generate a windfall estimated at 250 million euros a year, instead of 120 million euros initially planned. The rate of contribution on the sodas would be increased to 6.22 euros per hectolitre in 2012.Then he would be raised from the beginning of 2013, to January 1 of each year, at a rate equal to inflation (excluding tobacco) in the penultimate year.

Support the agricultural sector

As announced in the Figaro, the objective of this expansion drinks with sweeteners is to finance the lower cost of agricultural labor "to allow our farmers to sell their products at the same price as Germany and Spain" explains Valérie Pécresse payday advances. The government has in fact reduced in 2012 from 210 million payroll taxes on permanent farms. The tax will be reviewed and corrected to about half.

The industrial problems digesting the news. "We said from the beginning that it was normal to participate, provided that everyone involved in the fight against deficits.Simply, we do not want to be the adjustment variable of all the deficits that pass and on which we have not much to see, "said Jean-Rene Buisson, president of the National Association of Food Industries (Ania ). The doubling of the tax sodas would, he said, an estimated increase "between 0.2 and 0.3 cents" per can.

No problem for Michel Diefenbacher UMP (UMP): "These drinks, which are not basic necessities, benefit from the reduced VAT rate.They must be able to withstand the additional load generated by this new contribution, "says he in a sub-amendment.

But for now, nothing is yet definitively confirmed nor on the doubling of the tax, nor about its extension to drink with sweeteners.

End of aspartame in system U

The distribution group Système U has chosen to abandon the use of aspartame in soft drinks sold under any brand, starting in January. For the first time a manufacturer makes such a decision. This choice responds to the concerns of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the effects of this artificial sweetener.

Système U has already banned the use of parabens in cosmetics and Teflon in cookware. Its chairman Serge Papin, expresses his desire to "become a leader in healthy products."

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Scholarships resist degradation of Italy

The Paris Bourse was able to bounce back despite the deterioration in the rating of Italy by Standard & Poor's and the decline in bank stocks. The CAC 40 gained 1.50% to finish the session at 2 984.05 points. Financial markets had clearly joined the decommissioning of Italy. They preferred to see the glass half full and focus on the adoption of new measures to support the U.S. central bank (Fed) on Wednesday night and real progress in the Greek case. Caution remains implementation as evidenced by the low volume of trade. Less than EUR 2.7 billion changed hands on the great values ​​of the Paris stock exchange.

Having dithered for most of the session, the other major European markets have also opted for the green in the very last lap. Frankfurt was up 2.88%, 1.98% London and Milan by 1.91%.Wall Street awaited with optimism after the Fed meeting on Wednesday night and set the tone for European stock markets. In session, the Dow Jones gained 1.11% and the Nasdaq 0.94%.

The bank attack

Paris, accused the coup briefly in mid-afternoon, after the publication of a report by the IMF lowered its growth forecasts in the world no fax payday loans. The organization has also warned against the risk of destabilizing the global financial system if the debt crisis continues to get bogged down in the euro area.

The Paris market, however retained a great excitement to the crisis of debt in the euro area and remained suspended including ongoing negotiations to prevent bankruptcy of Greece.A new conference was scheduled yesterday in the afternoon between the Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos and the "troika" of the creditors of the country, European Commission, European Central Bank and IMF. The outcome of these negotiations is crucial for the country. It conditions the payment in October of the sixth round of eight billion euros of the loan last year in the euro area country and the IMF.

In Paris, the banking sector was again manhandled. Societe Generale lost 3.08% and 6.52% BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole 2.11% however the titles sensitive to the dollar ended sharply higher, with the image of LVMH (3.64%) and EADS (3.11%).