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U.S. stock markets close an increased very slightly on Thursday. The Dow Jones is 0.07% to 12,402.76 points, the S & P 500 gained 0.40% to 1325.69 points and the Nasdaq rose 0.78% to 2782.92 points.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro rebounded against the dollar on Thursday, helped by speculation about a coming increase in Chinese investment in the European sovereign debt.By late evening in Paris, the European single currency was worth 1.4135 dollars against 1.4083 dollars late Wednesday.

On the macroeconomic front, the U.S. GDP grew 1.8% in the first quarter, according to the second official estimate of the growth of winter, which confirms the original figure while analysts thought it would be revised upwards (consensus expected 2% growth).

New jobless claims in the United States are divided on the rise during the third week of May, 424,000 according to figures released Thursday by the Department of Labor (cons 414,000 the previous week), while analysts expected a decline, to 400,000.

Microsoft: 1.98% to 24.67 dollars

The investment fund Greenlight Capital, a shareholder of Microsoft, wants to remove the CEO of computer giant, saying that Steve Ballmer is a man of the past.

Computer Science: -13.02% to 38.35 dollars

For his part Computer Sciences announced yesterday evening after the close of Wall Street have registered for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010/2011 earnings per share of $ 1.09 against $ 1.16 and $ 1.66 expected year past. Turnover was 4.2 billion, stable over one year.Over the full year, EPS fell 10.4% while turnover remained stable at 16 billion dollars.

Liberty Global: 1.51% to 44.92 dollars

Also after the close of U.S. markets, Liberty Global has received an indicative offer from Foxtel to buy back its subsidiary Austar United Communications owned 54.2% at a price of 1.52 Australian dollars per share, valuing the share of Liberty Global to nearly one billion Australian dollars.

NetApp: 6.92% to 55.31 dollars

NetApp reported for the fourth quarter earnings per share of $ 0.59 against $ 0.53 expected and $ 0.5 last year, while turnover reached 1.4 billion dollars against 1.2 billion last year.For the quarter, NetApp expects earnings per share of 0.52 to $ 0.57 and revenues of about $ 1.5 billion.

Google: -0.30% to 518.13 dollars

Also of note, Google has unveiled a contactless payment solution developed by MasterCard and Citigroup. The owners of Android phones will eventually make their phones instead of their credit card at the checkout.

It's definitely good news. Growth of 2011 has started on a flying, rising 1% in the first quarter, after the tiny increase of 0.3% in the last quarter of 2010, according to figures released Friday by the INSEE. Not only is it much better than what was expected, but it is also the best quarterly performance registered by France since 2006. You almost forget that the institute of statistics at the same time, lowered the growth figures for the previous three years!

The Economy Minister, Christine Lagarde, who blew the whistle on the previous evening, was immediately welcomed this figure, which confirms "that the French economy is set on a path of robust recovery."Jean-Francois Cope, secretary general of the UMP, for his part spoke of "excellent performance".

It must be said that, as the saying goes at Bercy, all the lights earlier this year are "green" to watching a few nuances in detail. Household consumption was slightly accelerated, rising 0.6% against 0.4% over the last three months of 2010. And proof that the expenses do not only with cars and the latest gaming effects of scrapping the service consumption rebounded sharply. Business investment has, meanwhile, performed well.

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.

The institute noted however that the balance of trade "contributes negatively again" on GDP growth (-0.4 point), but that "this is more than offset" by changes in business inventories, which contribute positively to 0.7 percentage points to growth.

Industrial production finally jumped 3.4% and `show its strongest growth over the last thirty years," Christine Lagarde welcomes. Which does not specify that this rebound in industrial production is largely due to the production of refined products, which dates back strongly for technical reasons related to the correction of consequences "of social movements at the end of last year" in refineries , said Insee.

"A little less strong"

The Minister of Economy nevertheless acknowledged "very possible" that the second quarter "a little less strong.""One swallow does not make statistical economic spring," said, in his way, the number two PS, Harlem Desir.

For even if the number of start of the year is a reflection of economic situation improves, the pace may not continue. Rising raw material, exchange rate of the euro, higher inflation that continues in the purchasing power effect of stock-cons, or international situation deteriorates … So many reasons fear a slowdown in coming months .

Bercy, however, confirmed on Friday its growth forecast for 2011 to 2%. The goal now seems achievable because over for the current year is already 1.6%.Traditionally more pessimistic, the European Commission was asked to meet on Friday too, its growth forecast for the Hexagon, 1.7% to 1.8% over the year.

2008, 2009, two years of recession

Each year in May, INSEE revised the growth of the three previous years. This time, it's a bunch down! Growth in 2010 has not reached as planned 1.5% but 1.4%. The recession of 2009 was 2.6% and not 2.5%.But it is in 2008 that the difference is most significant: adjusted downwards by 0.3 percentage points, the year does not end on a growth of 0.1% as announced, but a decline in GDP of 0, 2%, according to Insee

Moreover, the institute has recalculated the slight increase in deficit (state, social security, local) of France in 2010 to 7.1% of GDP at year end as against 7% announced earlier.

As for the debt, it was 82.3%, instead of 81.7% predicted previously to 1 591.2 billion.

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Monday invited the Talk Orange-Le Figaro, Gilles Carrez unsurprisingly has announced that he would vote "no regrets" the end of the tax shield. "I have constantly warned against this scheme, said the rapporteur of the Finance Committee of the National Assembly. I made note after note to the candidate Nicolas Sarkozy during the election campaign. "For the UMP du Val-de-Marne," the tax cap was a bad answer to a bad tax that is the ISF.

"Political will to straighten the accounts"

Gilles Carrez is thus not unhappy "that we reform the ISF to make it finally acceptable and less confiscatory." He said this tax is "responsible for many of departures abroad" in recent decades. And proof of harm is that "all countries that have had one removed." This specialist public finances do not regret that reform is a development of the ISF."This tax is so symbolic that remove one year's presidential impossible," he admits, saying that such a decision can be made "in the beginning of term instant payday loan lenders."

Gilles Carrez also found "possible" return to a balance of public finances – is "a deficit that finances investment only and not as now operating expenditure – within five years. This golden rule, which is also part of the draft supplementary budget presented by the Cabinet tomorrow, "foster the political will to rectify the accounts," he said.

The UMP has finally given its support to Laurent Wauquiez has triggered a controversy by proposing that the RSA recipients do five hours of community service per week. "We can not exclude that the community requires a consideration," he acknowledged.I wonder if they did not commit a mistake by grouping the RSA who does not work at all and that we will promote by aid. He who is temporarily deprived of employment should be encouraged to return to work. "

They are the must of French hospitality. The distinction "palace" was awarded Thursday for the first time in France to eight luxury hotels supposed to embody "excellence in French," announced the jury for their selection. The eight institutions to join this new club are very close to Le Bristol Paris, the Meurice, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome and the Plaza-Athénée. In the provinces there is the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, the Cranberries and Cheval Blanc in Courchevel, and the Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

The challenge is to distinguish among institutions except the 130 5-star hotels that already exist. Fourteen candidates have filed for candidacy. But not all have been retained. In the capital, Bristol, George V, Meurice, Plaza-Athenee, Ritz and Hyatt Park were in the running.In the provinces, the Negresco in Nice, and Cheval Blanc in Courchevel Cranberries, and the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, have also postulated.

Conversely, some very prestigious hotels have chosen to duck the first round due to work, like the Eden Roc in Antibes. 5 stars like the Fouquet's in Paris did not submit a dossier explaining that appear as a palace might scare away business customers. The Crillon, which has just been sold by the U.S. investment fund Starwood Capital, has not applied, since it requires a heavy renovation.

As newcomers to Paris, starting with the Shangri-La and the Royal Monceau Mandarin Oriental pending this year and the Peninsula in 2012, they did not have access to the competition, requiring more eligibility conditons of … 30 months old.

Applicants under the palace had until December to apply.Have completed two phases of instruction, one led by France Trump to see if they met the "objective" criteria such as size of room, activity for 24 months minimum in case of complete refurbishment of the facility, 30 in case opening, multilingual staff, spa etc..

The second was conducted by a jury of ten members, headed by academician Dominique Fernandez, who was judging criteria "subjective" as the exceptional character of the institution in its history or architecture, speed and permanence of its service, its excellent food and comfort …

The airlines benefit they "fuel surcharges", the taxes levied on air tickets depending on how the fuel prices to maintain their financial stability? While fuel prices soar, airlines are perhaps a little heavy hand on these adjustment variables.

Kerosene prices have not reached the heights of the summer of 2008. Indeed, its current price is 22% below their peaks at the time, according to Bloomberg. However, fuel surcharges companies exceed all records.

In early April, British Airways increased the amount of its overhead for the third time since the beginning of the year to 326 euros for a return long-haul business class and 191 euros in economy class.At Air France – which has also boosted its overall rates April 1 – the peak is reached: for a return flight on a journey of more than seven hours, she weighs 242 euros and 222 euros for a seven-hour flight while in 2008 the company had not been as severe vis-à-vis its passengers: the overload was then capped at 192 euros for a round trip on a journey of more than seven and 172 euro beyond.

According to the U.S. website bestfares.com devoted to travel, U.S. airlines are at least as eager, with loads of up to $ 420 for a round trip between the U.S. and Europe and even $ 580 US- U.S. and South America when in 2008 they did not exceed $ 390.Some consultants do not hesitate to speak of price increase in disguise, so that overloading should really reflect the evolution of fuel prices free credit report and score.

Reduction of flight plans

The energy bill has become the largest item of expenditure of airlines from and to personnel costs. The latter are desperate to cover their costs.

The president of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Giovanni Bisignani, does not hide his concern: "It's a disaster. We tablions, earlier this year on an average price of a barrel of 96 dollars, but these projections were too optimistic. In an economy as fragile as today, it is impossible to pass on fuel surcharges to passengers.But that decision is up to each company, "he told The Tribune last week.

U.S. companies that have published these days their first quarter earnings plunge again: Delta Airlines posted a loss of $ 318 million when it had lost $ 256 million last year. American Airlines posted a loss of 436 million dollars against 505 million last year. According to the American Transport Association, U.S. airlines should have their fuel bill to increase by $ 3 billion more this year.

To face this new crisis, these majors have set up plans for "capacity reduction" that result in deletions of flights.Delta Airlines announced and a decrease of 4% of its flight schedule in the second half and, like its competitors, it leaves the aircraft in its fleet the most fuel-efficient.

Eurocopter will be able to develop a new civil helicopter. Matignon has indeed granted an aid of 550 million euro to the subsidiary of EADS, said The Tribune, to develop the successor to its flagship product, the Dauphin. The benefits should also be concerned subcontractors Eurocopter subsidiaries beginning with Turbomeca Safran Group and Sagem. And in total, the amount of manufacturing this new device is expected to reach 1.5 billion euros for commissioning by 2018-2020.

The aid granted by Matignon is part of the large borrowing for future investments. In fact, France wishes to maintain the production of these helicopters in France, the site of Marignane, near Marseille. Especially since the funds allocated by the State will fund the innovations on the new model guaranteed payday loans.Eurocopter had specifically requested funding for R & T (research and technology) and R & D (research and development) for his project X4 (4 helicopter as a 4-ton). The allocated budget will also develop "an ambitious technological program, says La Tribune in technology (turbines, avionics, rotor blades, fuselage …)» in a highly competitive range.

The newspaper said that the Steering Committee of the General Commission for Investment (CGI) was initially granted 400 million euros. It also specifies that arbitration government has not yet been an official signature.

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Despite the return of large mergers and acquisitions, the CAC 40 remains in the red, while the growing concern over Portugal after ratings agency Moody's has further worsened the country score. At mid session, it loses 0.62% to 4017.94 points.

At the Stock Exchange Frankfurt, the DAX 30 lost 0.36% to 7149.51 points, for its part, the Footsie-100 from the London Stock Exchange was down 0.32% to 5997.69 points.

With the exception of the Nikkei, which lost just over 1%, most Asian stock indices move in the green. On Monday, the Dow finished at its highest closing level since early June 2008, at 12,400.03 points.

On the macroeconomic front, growth in activity in the services sector accelerated further in March to its fastest pace since last August. The services PMI rose to 60.4 against 59.7 in February. An initial estimate had been given to 60.7 on March 24.

For the euro area, this index stood at 57.2 against 56.8 in February, its highest level since August 2007. It is superior to the flash estimate of 56.9.

Also for the euro area, retail sales came out slightly down from 0.1% in February compared to the previous month after rising 0.2% in Jan.

In the U.S., the ISM index of activity in services is expected in March to 16 hours.

On the currency markets, the euro fell slightly against the dollar at 1.4181 at midday in Paris.

Oil prices retreated Tuesday morning. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for May delivery lost 0.39% to 108.05 dollars.

EDF, the biggest drop Cac 40

The values ​​of energy (EDF, GDF Suez, Total, Air Liquide) are also tracked by investors.EDF lost 3.69% to 28.45 euros, GDF Suez fell by 3.25% to 27.35 euros and Air Liquide was down 0.25% to 95.52 euros, in contrast, loses 0 Total , 20% to 43.29 euros.

The government announced the cancellation of the rising gas prices on 1 July and the study of a new pricing formula. In contrast, electricity prices will rise by 2.9% on 1 July. Matignon has also confirmed that the oil companies will be involved to curb the soaring fuel prices one hour payday loan.

Banks battered on Tuesday after Moody's downgraded the rating of Portugal. The rating agency does not lower it again.Societe Generale loose 2.37% to 44.72 euros, BNP Paribas dropped 1.73% to 51.83 euros, Credit Agricole sells 2.73% to 11.39 euros and Natixis was down 0.96% to 4 , 01 euros.

STMicroelectronics: 2.72% to 9.02 euros

STMicroelectronics benefits of the takeover bid by Texas Instruments of National Semiconductor for $ 6.5 billion (4.6 billion euros).

Areva: 2.12% to 31.75 euros

A list of candidates shortlisted by the Supervisory Board of Areva to hold the presidency of the Executive Group was deposited on the office of Nicolas Sarkozy, according to Liberation, citing near the head of state.

L'Oreal: -1.36% to 82.77 euros

According to the daily 20 minutes, the boss of L'Oreal, Lindsay Owen-Jones would be the subject of a complaint filed by Janez Mercun, a Slovenian who had a contract with L'Oreal granting the exclusive distribution market Russia.

PSA Peugeot Citroën: 0.39% to 28.58 euros

Gefco logistics group, a subsidiary of PSA Peugeot Citroën has signed with Italian funds RP3 Venice and a contract to acquire their share of 70% stake in Gruppo Mercurio, an Italian specialist transport and distribution of vehicles .

Cap Gemini, +0.01% at 41.55 euros

Cap Gemini is expected to announce Tuesday the acquisition of two French companies, and Artesys Avantias for $ 40 million, according to Les Echos.

Havas: -1.41% to 3.85 euros

Havas announced the acquisition of the independent agency Farm Strategy, without specifying the amount of the transaction.

Technip: +0.10% to 77.10 euros

Technip awarded a contract by RWE Dea for the development of gas field Clipper South in the North Sea.

Belvedere Trading on shares was suspended on Tuesday at the request of the company after the resolution of the preservation plan of the group of wines and spirits, delivered Monday by the Tribunal de Commerce de Dijon. The stock closed Monday up 8.67% to 66.20 euros.

Household size, a key carbon balance of French households. According to the first survey of 2000 people by the Observatory of Carbon on the initiative of consulting firm Green Inside, smaller polluters are large families where CO2 emissions are "pooled." In these cases, we share its heating, washing his or her refrigerator. Conversely, "the home of a person are truly explode the level of CO2 emissions." Logically, retirees and younger people, who more often live alone and are among the worst performers of this panorama polluters.

Of course, other factors, less critical, are also considered. For example, more high income households consume more leisure, including transportation. Their carbon footprint is even more deteriorated.

The ideal city

Confirmation by another study: transport remains the position that weighs most heavily in the carbon footprint of French households (54%), far ahead of housing (30%) and food (22%). The use of personal vehicles dominates (79%) while the use of public transport and air travel, which vary depending on households and individuals, representing 1% and 19% carbon balance.

The Centre concludes that "the ideal city" could be between 100,000 and 200,000. Let cities large enough to provide a network of public transport alternative to the car, but smaller than the mega fond of air travel.Thirty French cities fall into this category, including Nancy, Caen, Orleans, Metz, Nimes, Grenoble, Saint-Etienne and Reims.

Intergenerational solidarity

From these findings, how can we reduce the carbon footprint of households? "To be effective, it seems appropriate to act primarily on transportation and housing," says the Observatory. Regarding transport, the study notes that "the potential of hybrid and electric vehicles is undeniable, even if it is still very moderate." 1% of respondents have already acquired and 22% intend to medium term."A figure that expresses perhaps more relevant to the type of vehicles that a genuine desire to acquire a medium-term," said the observatory.

Especially, for the authors of the survey should act on household size, "imagine the springs that could increase the sharing" of resources and goods. Foster roommates? Retirement homes? The lines of inquiry are being launched with an objective that the Centre recognizes "ambitious", "we began to see as the problem of intergenerational solidarity," a subject which go beyond those environmental concerns.

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Slowly, the Reformers made their place in the station. Certainly, the CGT union is the first with 37.3% of votes cast at the last workplace elections, but the organization suffered another setback. She had obtained 40% of the vote in 2009, during the recent workplace elections.

30% for the reformist pole

Reform said the pole winner in this election. The National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions (UNSA-Cheminots) harvest of votes and 21.4% (against 18.05% in 2009) and the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) 13.7% (against 11.59% in 2009). Together, the two unions represent 30% of voters, allowing them to sign agreements without the support of another organization.The score of SUD-Rail also remains stable at 17.3%.

Thierry Nier, federal secretary of the CGT, the organization is "confirmed in its position as the leading trade union organization at the station" and retains "a key position," he told AFP online payday loans. The "slight decrease" of the CGT, which is "far from being dramatic," partly due to the fact that participation has reached less than 75%. According to him, 40,000 railway workers were not expressed, and some chose to turn "towards more consensual organizations.

TF (8.58% of votes), CFTC (1.03%) and CFE-CGC (0.42%) have, for their part, not surpassed the 10%. they are therefore not considered representative.

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A formula that has rained, but that leaves open many files. The roundtable, chaired by Nicolas Sarkozy after his walkabout in the aisles of the Salon of Agriculture, was rather well received by participants. "He did not demagoguery and was really aware of what was happening in the farming community," said Florence Verheyden-Valade, breeder of bison in the Creuse. It was part of the panel of invited farmers, three women and four men, "representatives of all sectors and territories", according to Franck Louvrier, communications adviser at the Elysee. There was a producer from another sheep of the Puy de Dome, a pork producer from Vienna, a wine of Herault, a grain of Loiret and a breeder of Charolais in the Nièvre.

Discussion without taboos

For more than 90 minutes, the Head of State has listened in turn and answered their questions.Environment, rising raw materials, distribution, cost of labor, many topics were discussed openly and with details. Asked about the cost of labor by Patricia Rebillou, producer of strawberries in the Dordogne, Nicolas Sarkozy said: "We reduced by more than three euros hourly cost of seasonal workers, to 12.81 euros per hour to 9, 43 euros. Adding that "this reduction in social security employer had already cost the state 500 million euros" and it was not possible to go beyond. "Nicolas Sarkozy has memory and is familiar with his records," commented Michel for his part Hamel, a milk producer of the Channel.The latter was part of the 400 farm representatives who attended the roundtable held in Area 2000, a large room in the mezzanine in Hall 1 of the animals at the Porte de Versailles.

On the environment issue, widely discussed on Saturday, the audience applauded the head of state when he said the poster campaign of ecological association FNE. "It is hurtful, humiliating, totally cons productive in some ways shocking," said Nicolas Sarkozy. "You are loved by the French more than you think as evidenced by the success of the Salon of Agriculture," he said at the farmers.

Several decrees

In a goodwill gesture, the president did not come in without his wallet. A decree recognizing the activity of methane on farms is released this Saturday.

In addition to reducing the depletion of farmland in France – at a rate of one department every seven years – another decree was issued on the topic, believing that the show is moving files around the corner. It concerns the establishment of advisory boards of county farmland. A new structure must give notice before any sales of land into building land. Transactions will now be taxed. The tax proceeds will fund innovative facilities for young farmers.

"However, Nicolas Sarkozy said nothing about the case of photovoltaics, which allows farmers to reduce their cost of production," complained Jean-Pierre Fleury, Secretary General of the Federation Nationale Bovine and rancher in the Morvan. Another disappointment for farmers, lack of clarity of Nicolas Sarkozy vis-à-vis supermarkets."While the president has insisted on a better distribution of value added over the entire chain, but was not specific enough in its intentions," said Guy Vasseur, president of the APCA (Permanent Assembly of Chambers of agriculture). "We will continue to help you be more competitive and regulate the prices of agricultural commodities. I believe the future of French agriculture, growth, development and its contribution in the foreign trade of France, "said Nicolas Sarkozy. "A frank and direct dialogue," summarized the Youth President Jean-Michel Schaeffer, leaving the space 2000. "The lyrics is good, it acts better," summed up his side Beulin Xavier, president of the FNSEA.