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Unemployment is leveling off in the euro area. 10% in March 2010, the unemployment rate adjusted for seasonal variations remain in effect identical to that for the month of February. A year earlier the rate was however lower at 9.1%. The EU as a whole is a bit lower at 9.6% in March 2010, also unchanged from the same month a year earlier, Eurostat said on Friday.

So these are 15 million unemployed in the euro area accounts in March, 23 million for the EU-27. In one year, Germany is the only one EU country to have recorded a decline in unemployment, falling 7.4% to 7.3%. All other countries saw their unemployment rates increase because of the economic crisis.But are Latvia (the rate jumped to 14, 3% to 22.3%), Estonia (from 7.6% to 15.5% between the fourth quarters of 2008 and 2009) and Lithuania (from 8.1% to 15.8% between the fourth quarters of 2008 and 2009), which record the highest increases in the EU low fee pay day loans.

If it were up to now difficult to find a tandance about the evolution of unemployment figures, said Societe Generale's analysts now tend to think that the situation should improve in the second quarter.

It should be noted that the rate of female unemployment is still slightly higher than men (10.1% against 10%), but posted a much lower increase. The youth are always the most affected by unemployment, with a proportion of 19.9% in the euro area and 20.6% in the EU.Spain and Latvia beat on this sad record, with respective rates of 41.2% and 44.9%.

Nothing goes between two of the major shareholders of Eramet. Romain Zaleski, who holds 12.87% stake in the French mining group, calls for the dismissal of four directors, who are none other than representatives of the Duval family, which owns 37% of the company.

There is virtually no chance that when the General Assembly on 20 May, these resolutions are passed. The Duval will vote against. Their ally in a shareholders' agreement-in-Areva will probably follow suit. The intervention of Romain Zaleski, via his holding company Carlo Tassara in which are housed the Eramet shares, should be a sword in the water.

It is nevertheless part of the logical continuation of the lawsuit began in late 2009 by the businessman. Romain Zaleski wants to cancel the merger of Aubert & Duval and Eramet.Fusion, which dates from 1999 and is the origin of family involvement in the mining capital of the group. At the time, Romain Zaleski was not a shareholder. The reason for this action never stops raising questions about the real motivations of the financier. Crowding out of Duval himself would become a key player in negotiations on new developments in the capital of Eramet. But with what ulterior motives? "We will demonstrate in the coming weeks that the lawsuit Romain Zaleski has backfired," said one familiar with the matter.

Meanwhile, the plan to sell Areva stake in Eramet patina. The value of this participation is made more complicated by the attacks of Romain Zaleski.Even if they have little chance of success, it must be considered.

Securing access to rare metals

Communication Jean-Louis Borloo, Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea, in the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, does not simplify the situation. As noted in Le Monde, the Minister is considering the creation of a center that would combine the mining of uranium mines of Areva and those of manganese and nickel Eramet and should provide access to rare earths and some metals, essential for the industry. This event brings back another sea serpent: the dismantling of Eramet. Another issue, even result, in the end, the Duval family and Alloys division could leave the perimeter of Eramet."Such a subject is not even mentioned by Duval," says one close to the matter.

This hypothesis would at least end the procrastination of the management of Areva for its stake in Eramet, which "is either too much or not enough." At a time when access to mineral resources becomes a major issue, creating a "national champion" is not absurd.

But faced with competition from industry majors, weighing 200 billion dollars in each stock, the new French group, headed by the same Office of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM has also very little money), would in the featherweight class. However, the creation of a committee for strategic metals (Comes) is expected before the end of the first half and allow to "coordinate the various actions, including those of Ifremer and the BRGM and make them more effective" , says at the ministry.Such coordination "assuming no change". The private groups already agree with each other. Eramet and Bollore have joined in lithium (used for batteries) and overall prospect in South America.

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Neither seen nor known. For five years, just ahead of their quarterly publications, 18 major banks like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase or Citigroup, have simply replaced the box for "debt", a figure from another, much smaller, according New York Fed. On average 42%, according to figures from the institution, reports the website of The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Why? Because they fear being punished by the stock market investors, who watch carefully the amounts of debts and, thus, the risk levels of a bank. And also because they fear that the ratings agencies are reviewing their notes down No teletrack payday loans. What would frighten investors Exchange.

In fact, between two publications, the debts are upgraded in the accounts.In the end, nothing illegal, writes the WSJ Online, which emphasizes that while some complained of the banks confirmed this tinkering, representatives of Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup, have made no comment.

The spokesman for Bank of America has however stressed that "efforts made to manage our balance sheet size are suitable, and these strategies are compatible with the rules and accounting standards.

The tax shield prevents it really the tax exile? In 2008, when the tax shield has been lowered to 50% of revenues, 821 liable to the ISF have left France, according to figures from the Ministry of the Budget that the Figaro was purchased.

In 2007 when the shield was however 60% – only 719 taxpayers had left France and EWB! Nevertheless, the flow of exiles was more important before the introduction of the shield. Thus in 2006, 846 liable to the ISF were exiled.

In addition, 312 are expatriates tax revenues in France in 2008. It's better than 2007 when they were 246.

Its director general, Pascal Lamy, can only be welcomed. Forecasts of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that directs, published Friday, show a rebound in volume of 9.5% of world trade this year, against a fall of 12.2% in 2009. "We see light at the end of the tunnel," he said adding that developing countries would be the first to take the recovery with an increase of 11% of their exports in 2010, while the industrialized countries over severely affected by the crisis, would experience slightly slower growth of around 7.5%.

This increase, says the WTO, "assumes a resumption of growth of GDP (gross domestic product) World consistent with what we agree to provide, 2.9% and d 'stability of oil prices and exchange rates.A necessary precaution when we see deterioration including high speed climate of trade between China and the United States amid manipulation of the yuan. But China, confirms the WTO has indeed surpassed last year in Germany as world's largest exporter, with 10% of total sales made outside borders around the globe. It also constitutes the second largest importer behind the United States.

Protectionism Chinese

We must therefore rely more and more with this giant even more difficult to control it does not always respect the rules of international trade and often plays with protectionism hiding his name.

Pascal Lamy, however, notes that, contrary to what one could imagine, and despite rising unemployment, "the number of restrictions to trade applied by governments has declined in recent months.But unfortunately this does not suffice to revive the negotiations of the Doha round of trade liberalization, which stalled since 2001, admitted Friday at the Geneva WTO boss.

New stage in the battle between Airbus and Boeing at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO should make public today its decision on state aid received by Airbus as a result of a complaint filed by U.S. rival in 2004. She had already published September 4 last first report of 1 000 pages, weighed 10 000 pages of appendices on the subject.

The new document will be submitted to the European Commission and the U.S. Administration should resume the main conclusions of the September. According to one expert dossier "gave the first report due to 30% for Boeing and Airbus to 70%.

No refund

Boeing criticizes the system of repayable advances granted by Germany, France, England and Spain to Airbus by saying he does not respect international trade rules.The advances are repayable loans granted by the States. According to Boeing, Airbus can borrow money at rates lower than market. He also challenged other aid. It has, for example, estimated that widening roads in the region of Toulouse to help build the A380 was a form of disguised subsidies. The WTO did not accept the latter charge.

Following the WTO ruling, the European Union will enter the court of the WTO Appellate no fax cash loans . For its part, Airbus has also filed a complaint against Boeing in the WTO. According to experts from European aircraft manufacturer, the Boeing would have earned 14 billion of public subsidies paid by American States, NASA and the Pentagon over the period 1992-2005. The WTO will review its aid U.S. in June.The case is particularly complex, should know its epilogue in 2013. Whatever it is, the final decision will have no retroactive effect. Neither Airbus nor Boeing will not refund overpayments if convicted. It will simply change the system in place for the future.

Faced with this situation, Airbus proposes that Europe and the United States sit "at the negotiating table to discuss a system that satisfies everyone," said Tuesday the communications director of Airbus .The flattening of support systems in Europe and the United States would avoid that "we pulled our eyes while many competitors argue, particularly from Japan, an ally of Boeing and China.

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The adoption last night of the great reform of health insurance, proud of the Obama administration is very important for the health sector, the United States and elsewhere in the world. Its impact on the health sector on Wall Street will be closely scrutinized.

The U.S. markets are getting better: the Dow Jones closed up 0.41% at 10,785 points and the Nasdaq Composite 0.88% to 2395 points.

Investors will this week look at a few minor indicators, including sales in the previous Tuesday, and sales in the ninth Wednesday. Follow some figures on durable goods orders, before being released Friday, the latest estimate of GDP for the fourth quarter of 2009 and the index of consumer confidence.

Caution still dominates

Meanwhile, investors are still cautious amid the uncertainties that persist on the bailout of Greece. Even if the European Council held on Thursday and Friday in Brussels will not be much impact on markets, on both sides of the Atlantic, German Chancellor Angela Merkel have warned yesterday on German radio that "financial assistance to Greece is not on the agenda of the meeting Thursday …" But the pressure is raised a notch on Monday in Germany, for its approval a plan for financial assistance to Greece at the summit of EU leaders on Thursday and Friday.A summit to test the cohesion of the eurozone and the credibility of Europe.

The market does not, however, leaves destabilize or by poor statistics, nor by rumors: they whisper such as the Federal Reserve would again raise its discount rate by the next meeting of its Strategy Committee, Thursday us fast cash . "But this is just an excuse to take some profits," says an analyst.

As for currencies, the euro strengthens against the dollar on Monday at 1.3552 dollars (0.31%) remains lower against the dollar on Monday after a brief foray as 1.35 dollar, dealers said opting for caution ahead of a summit of European Union, during which they will review again the Greek crisis.

The medicinal values rising

On the corporate front, the pharmaceutical values are well oriented. Pfizer Laboratories, Merck and Johnson & Johnson saw their shares rose by 1.88% to $ 17.23, from 1.76% to 38.73 dollars and 0.45% to 65.40 dollars. In contrast, health insurers are changing down: Humana fell by 2.20% to 48.90 dollars, UnitedHealth Group coward 2.27% to 33.61 dollars, Cigna lost 0.13% to 37.03 dollars Wellpoint and abandons 0.79% to 64.56 dollars. Aetna is only up 0.20% to 34.53 dollars.

Boeing (2.09% to 72.20 dollars) has announced an increase in production rates for Boeing 777 and 747.

As for publications expected will come on Thursday, Oracle and Best Buy, which will publish their earnings per share.Some computer companies (Red Hat Adobe Systems on Wednesday or Tuesday), builders (Lennar Wednesday) or deluxe (now Tiffany) also feed news.

LE FIGARO. – Prime Minister, you take the 25 and 26 March in Paris at the Forum for Investment and Finance of Qatar. What do you expect from this meeting?

Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani. – There are many opportunities for our two countries and this forum can be positive for France and Qatar. This can help to rescue some struggling companies and then many French companies wishing to establish relations with Qatar. We are open to any investment which could bring benefit to both parties. We've already invested a lot in Europe in the fields of finance, industry and even agriculture and we are ready to consider other initiatives. This explains our enthusiasm and our strong representation at this forum.

A number of large French companies are very active in Qatar, like Total, Areva, Thales and Alcatel.What are the areas where the French could invest?

There are opportunities in several areas especially in energy. We will sign several agreements. But our domestic market is limited and in our relations, there is not that investment in Qatar. Why not consider financial partnerships Franco-Qatari to invest jointly in third countries? From our side, we are including in talks to enter the capital of Areva. For now, we're still in talks.

Qatar is a major producer of oil and gas. What do you think of the turmoil in energy markets?

It is important to have on the energy market, a balance between supply and demand, which allows an equilibrium price.If prices rise so exaggerated, it's bad for the market in the same manner as a rapid decline is bad because it hinders investment. In recent years we have been a yo-yo prices upwards and downwards. I prefer that prices do not rise sharply because it would hamper the global economy. Moreover, the markets hate the big gap.

What is for you the fair price of a barrel?

In my opinion, the reasonable price of a barrel now stands between 75 and 85 dollars. Ten years ago, when a barrel was at $ 7, Western countries were telling us it's the law of the market. But when the barrel has exceeded $ 140, the same did not want to hear about the market.If, since the great oil shock of 1973, oil prices had increased steadily in line with inflation (2% per year), the price would be at 125 or 130 dollars and the public as the market would find nothing to say. Besides, a car that cost 10 000 dollars in 1973 is now worth 150 000 dollars. In fact, we still want the right balance.

How satisfied are you with the global economic situation, are we out of the crisis or are you afraid of a relapse?

In my opinion the worst is over. But there are still dangers including the high indebtedness of many states that have intervened to support markets and growth. The runaway Scholarships seems also unhealthy, and an adjustment will be necessary. The steps to correct these excesses require cooperation of all countries, because we are collectively responsible for this bubble.However, it is not necessary that some officials are trying to use the crisis to impose constraints on political economy. Market regulation inherently good, but it is important to avoid politicizing it.

The Qatar now has an intense diplomatic activity. What initiatives your country could take to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

I am not very optimistic. I am convinced that the United States are making sincere efforts and sustained to achieve a just and lasting peace. But for its part, Israel calls for negotiations for a just peace with its measurement, which is unacceptable to the Arabs and very dangerous. Nothing has been done to call on Israel to stop its settlements in Jerusalem and it is clear that Israel managed to get away from any sanctions the UN or other international bodies.That fed the frustration, anxiety and thus increasing terrorism. I hope the U.S. give up its veto to protect Israel, to allow the legitimate rights of Palestinians. We have good relations with Israel, we would like to strengthen, but why Israel must accept the legitimate rights of Palestinians.

Westerners, France and the United States in particular, were very concerned about the readiness of Iran to develop nuclear weapons. What role can your country to help a solution?

The French and American officials familiar with the role that we play with Turkey and several other countries to find a diplomatic agreement without resorting to force. It is a very important issue for Qatar. Sanctions against Iran would have no effective results.That's why we want a negotiated solution to avoid increasing tensions in the region.

The Qatar made great efforts in education. All young Qataris have access to education. English is your second language after Arabic. What do you expect of France in the field of education and culture?

English is our second language because we lived under British mandate. Furthermore, it is a major international language. This does not prevent us from developing the use of French. We have many French schools and we have partnerships with universities and French schools. My two children also attend a French school in Doha.

The Qatar is bidding to hold the FIFA World Cup 2022. Will you be ready by then?

The Qatar has already proven itself in organizing the Asian Games.From all accounts, it was a great success. We mobilize all our human and financial resources with a strong commitment by the government. We will therefore be fully ready in 2022 to organize the World Cup football and make it a huge success.

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The Paris Bourse is scheduled to begin this week on an optimistic note. The future CAC 40 up 0.63% at 3934.50 points, an hour of opening, leaving hope for a session in positive territory. The Paris markets should broadly follow the movement driven by Asia Market earlier this week. The Japanese Nikkei closed up sharply (2.09%), carrying with him all the financial centers of the region.

This optimism comes from the U.S. figures for employment, less bad than expected, published Friday (36,000 jobs destroyed destruction cons 50,000 expected). Statistic reassure markets that see it as a sign of recovery very explicit. Especially as the consumer credit in the United States also sets out again on the rise (4.96 billion dollars in January). Both information had enabled the Cac 40 to exceed the 3900 points at the close Friday.Maintaining this level will be one of the objectives of investors on Monday, before setting off to the 4,000 points.

Japan, meanwhile, announced Monday a current account surplus (899.8 billion yen), compared to the deficit recorded last year in the same period (132.7 billion yen).

On Monday, markets will keep an eye on the index of business sentiment of the Bank of France, published before the commencement of trading (8.30). German industrial production for January will be known 12 hours.

EADS in the collimator

The defense group EADS said on Friday reached an agreement in principle with client countries on the financing of the military transport plane A400M. This also held Monday in Paris a crucial meeting on the fate of the military plane, which displays almost four years behind the counter.

The director general of Cr?dit Agricole, Jean-Paul Chifflet, revealed in an interview with Le Figaro, his long-term goals. "If we find other opportunities for collaboration to reduce intermediation costs for our customers, we will. With the Company generally or with others, "he said as well. This information may affect the securities Societe Generale and BNP Paribas.

In an interview with Le Figaro also Antoine Frerot, CEO of Veolia, reaffirms the group's objectives, including "after-tax profit of at least 9% and operating profit up 4% on average annually.

The central works of extraordinary total stands Monday.Employees of Dunkerque, on strike since January 12 this year, threatening to spread the oil available to them if management does not accede to their demands.

As for publications, Biomerieux announced on Monday a net profit in 2009 of 148 million euros, above expectations. The group table for the period 2010-2015, an average annual growth of between 7% and 9% at constant exchange rates.

The annual results of cements French gather today. Just as those of April, after market close.

The leading global service to local shows in 2009 a slight decrease in its turnover to 34.5 billion euros, an increase of 44% to 584 million euros in net income.

LE FIGARO. – Veolia publishes results better than expected. What were the highlights of 2009?

Antoine FR?ROT. – The two major goals set at beginning of year, in the heart of the economic crisis, have been met. We develop a positive free cash flow after dividends – and to do that, we did not need our program of asset sales which amounted to 1.3 billion euros. On the other hand, we have achieved 381 million in savings, an amount greater than what we had announced.In total, our debt has declined from 1.4 billion to $ 15.1 billion.

Your new strategic plan installment does with that of your predecessor?

There is no question of strategic failure. We aim to quickly find a balance between growth and profitability. Veolia Environnement has formidable strengths: market inherently very porters, strong reactivity with a decentralized but coordinated and a significant asset base of 25 billion euros, which provides flexibility.

We aim to sell 3 billion euros in assets between 2009 and 2011 allows us to breathe our business portfolio. For a group size of Veolia, yield an average of 1 billion per year is not a revolution but a healthy, which allows you to concentrate on the heart of business activities.However, there are very few external growth.

What are your projected outcomes?

At a horizon of 3 to 5 years if the economy remains flat, we expect a profit after tax of at least 9% and operating profit up 4% on average. If the economy is recovering, after-tax profitability could exceed 10% and operating profit increased to 8% per year.

As for 2010, the year seems still uncertain and we do not see today's rebound. In this context, I maintain priority to cash. We seek a new economy of 250 million and 1 billion sale of non-strategic assets.Our operating profit should improve further.

Consider yourself an arbitration more radical in your core businesses?

Veolia Environnement is the only group in the world with four specialties: the water, waste, energy and transport. There is no question of separating from one of them, especially as new needs, new offers, imagine the articulation of these four professions. For example, in water treatment, it has already greatly reduced energy consumption. Tomorrow, sewage treatment plants become producing bio energy and bio-plastics …

Where will the growth?

From the internationally but not only in emerging countries. In Europe and the United States, the model of delegated management – a public water treatment or waste managed by a private group – is much less developed than in France.It will certainly be emulated.

Closer to home, markets are developing. Take the case of countries of Southeastern Europe. Dry and tourism, they will probably need new ways of managing water and improving the quality of bathing water.

You have a license for international passenger transport. When will the first TGV Veolia?

Our partner Trenitalia awaits approval of its trains. It is a rail regulatory authority be established to ensure that competitors of the station can actually make their trains run in the furrows to be allocated. All this should be effective in late 2011.

In urban transport, which is the reconciliation between Transdev and Veolia?

The process of consultation of the staff concerned is underway and we need the approval of competition authorities.We are in final talks with the RATP on swaps. This merger will be followed by an IPO, I hope the first half of 2011. Transdev Veolia will be the leading mondiJal urban transport and reach the critical size in a trade promised sweeping changes. I think including the payment of tickets which will be soon available on mobile phones.

Where is the proposed combination with EDF through your joint subsidiary Dalkia?

Here too, there are new services to be created. For this, we must expand the industrial partnership. With its activity, Veolia is already the largest European producer of biomass, useful for decentralized production of energy.There are also offers to develop the electric motor, which will soon revolutionize the passenger.

Suez there reason to suspect Veolia to take advantage of the strike force at EDF calls?

I have no fear of being disadvantaged in France or Belgium by GDF Suez even if its president is also head of Suez Environment. By analogy, this reasoning applies to EDF and Veolia.

Henri Proglio, became CEO of EDF, "he informed the Board of Directors of the exact duration of his" transitional mandate "to the non-executive Chairman of Veolia?

This was not on the agenda of the Council held on Thursday.