Posts Tagged ‘online’

Wall Street ends slightly higher

Posted in business, economics, economy, resources, special by admin on May 28th, 2011 | Comments Off

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.

Los indignados "radiograph of a revolt

Posted in business, economic, economics, economy, technology by admin on May 26th, 2011 | Comments Off

A dozen people are working around the front of the Puerta del Sol. Armed with sponges, gloves and scrapers, they attack the graffiti inscribed on an iron curtain Internet Payday loans. The last letters of the word "Revolución" disappear as a result of …

The new "tax pro" would be less effective

Posted in economic, money, news, online, world by admin on May 8th, 2011 | Comments Off

The year 2011 began with disappointment for the departments. Any tax replacing the business tax is less profitable than expected. This is the contribution of value-added enterprises (CVAE), based on the value added generated annually by companies. Technically, the state, which has collected for the first time CVAE in 2010, will transfer to councils this year their share. So that elected officials can build their budgets, Bercy just sent to councils estimated income expected in 2011 CVAE. Knowing that this new tax contributes 15% of operating revenue departments.

Surprise, this estimate has proven often less simulations for the same revenue in 2011 conducted by Bercy in 2010, just months after the adoption of the reform."We do not yet have data from all departments but the trend is clear," they said in the Assembly of the departments of France.

Responsible

Seine-Saint-Denis provides a good example. "According to the simulations dating from 2010, we could expect to receive 196 million CVAE in 2011. In spring, the Department notified us that these revenues would be $ 177 million. That is 10% less! "Explains there be to the general council. Same thing in Loire-Atlantique, always CVAE revenues in 2011, "Estimating the spring of 2011 is 134 million while that of 2010 was 148 million," explains Bernard Gagnet, vice-president responsible for the General Administration Department. Department more rural, the Aisne was also affected: the estimated revenue for 2011 rose by 42.3 million by the end 2010 to 36,200,000 in April 2011.

At Bercy, it does not explain the difference.But we recall that the data sent in the spring are provisional. Businesses, unaccustomed to the new tax, have been delayed. Only 70% of tax CVAE of 2010 were available in the spring. They will all summer. It is at this point that Bercy communicate to departments the final amount of revenue CVAE 2011. "And these revenues should be final, to be generally higher than the spring forecast," says one to the department.

Time will tell if this prediction comes true. Anyway, this poor start has worried politicians. They know that if tax revenues are lower than those prevailing in 2011 before the reform of business tax, they will receive compensation funds. But the presidents of county councils, as mayor, do not depend on funding."Ultimately, the dynamic resource departments can only come from CVAE. This question is crucial, "says Jean-Pierre Balligand, MP PS of the Aisne. "Now, our revenues will be more related to the economic performance of firms, their ability to create value added. It's a good thing that will force us to responsible stewardship, "said Bruni Sido For its part, the UMP president of the General Council of Haute-Marne.

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The CAC 40 is another step forward

Posted in Uncategorized, international, people, publications, world by admin on March 24th, 2011 | Comments Off

The CAC 40 in beautiful colors found on Thursday. The benchmark index in Paris, who managed yesterday to back up the 3900 points at the last minute, took another step forward, encouraged by macroeconomic indicators of good quality. At the midpoint, the CAC 40 advances from 1.31% to 3964.84 points at same atmosphere in London and Frankfurt stock exchanges which are also in the green: the Footsie advance of 0.98% to 5852.65 points and the DAX climbed 1.59% to 6912.77 points.

But volatility may still be at the rendezvous, as was the case in Asian markets this morning. International news is indeed very busy and should focus attention again, slowing any risk taking.

Japan, Libya and Portugal under surveillance

In Japan, first of all, the problems persist on the plant in Fukushima.Site personnel, evacuated the day after an offshoot of black smoke, resumed on Thursday watering operations on the reactor 3 where electricity was partially restored in the control room of reactor 1. Investors are also following closely the level of radioactivity in the capital, Tokyo.

In Libya, the tension escalates as the forces pro-Gaddafi not give up despite the bombing of their tanks by the international coalition. The tanks of the Guide are the entrances to the city Ajdabiah while the coalition struck a military base east of Tripoli. The main hospital Misrata third largest city, was the target of raids on Wednesday night.

Finally, in Europe, the sovereign debt crisis resurfaced with Portugal, while a European summit held today in Brussels.The Socialist Prime Minister Jose Socrates has presented his resignation Wednesday night the President of the Republic after the dismissal of his austerity program by Parliament. The political crisis should accelerate the use of international financial rescue.

U.S. unemployment program

In this highly charged, a series of statistics, however, should occupy the market. In France, the business climate improved again in March, in manufacturing as in other sectors, shows the monthly business survey published Thursday by the INSEE. The synthetic indicator of business climate in the manufacturing sector rose three points to 109, its highest level since late 2007.The employment figures for February will be also published after market (18 hours).

The growth of private activity in the euro zone slowed in March as the PMI index published on Thursday, but economists believe that the level of the indicator remains encouraging. The composite index of purchasing managers, which summarizes the activity in the manufacturing and services, to 57.5 points in March, the company announced that Markit publishes the index, in a first estimate. The index settled at 57 points in January and 58.2 in February, its highest level since July 2006.

For their part, the United States will lift the veil on durable goods orders in February and weekly jobless claims at 13:30.

On the currency market, on the foreign exchange market, the euro stabilizes stable against the greenback at 1 cash advance in one hour.4128 dollars against 1.4083 dollars on the previous evening.For their part, oil markets back slowly because of rising U.S. crude stocks published yesterday. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for May delivery yielded 31 cents to 105.44 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for May delivery declined 27 cents to 115.28 dollars.

Ingenico flies

At mid session every CAC 40 stocks are benefiting from the upturn.

Accor: 2.47% to 31, 09 Euro

The title is head increases the CAC 40. The hospitality industry, recently penalized by the geopolitical risks and catastrophe Japanese is resumed. Accor has lost 13.34% over the last 30 days.

Renault: +0.03% at 37.81 euros

The manufacturer firm duCAC walking 40 with a modest gain after a recommendation from Berenberg keep passing with a target price of 47 euros.the title of the builder is also pulled down by that of its subsidiary to 44% Nissan dropped 4.55% in Tokyo. For Peugeot (1.40% to 27.1 euros), the bank also requires to be kept with a target to 34 euros.

EDF: + 0.50% to 28.92 euros

The electrician has submitted to government a document in which he suggests a rise of 4.7% of electricity rates for individuals on average each year from 2011 to 2015, according to the text that Reuters was able to consult.The Energy Minister, Eric Besson said that electricity prices would increase slightly this summer and no significant increase was under consideration.

Natixis: + 1.12% to 4.15 euros

The bank announced Thursday the purchase of 800 million euros of subordinated notes underwritten by BPCE, as announced on February 23.

Bolloré: -0.43% to 160.30 euros

Italian Pininfarina has exercised a put option to sell its stake in its 50/50 joint venture with Bolloré. The sales price stood at 10 million euros, according to the book value and what was agreed in September.

France Telecom: + 0.39% to 15.63 euros, Vivendi: + 0.82% to 19.63 euros

The French telecoms regulator has announced a new lower cost of call termination.From the perspective of telecom operators, including market leaders in Orange and SFR, the reductions in call termination weigh on sales growth.

Ingenico: + 5.39% to 28.06 euros

The group was selected to participate in a proposed deployment of contactless payment in the United States, funded by Google, according to Les Echos.

Gameloft: -1.93% to 4.58 euros

The title suffered profit taking after publication of its 2010 earnings. The company has benefited from the rise of touch pads and believes that its video games continue to be worn in 2011 by new technologies and the explosion of smartphones. It relies on a new sales growth and improved profitability and cash flow in 2011.

Ubisoft: + 0.08% to 7.39 euros

Nintendo 3DS arrived in France on Friday.The game publisher will offer four of the fifteen titles available at launch for the handheld. The group is betting on success.

Espionage: Renault would have been trapped by a senior

Posted in economy, international, life, special, technology by admin on February 26th, 2011 | Comments Off

And if the Renault spy case was based on a simple internal settling of scores? Having missed so far, this track is not ruled according to a source close to the investigation quoted by Le Parisien on Saturday.

She says an employee of Renault 'close' to Michel Balthazar, former head of the division "upstream projects and services" of the company and laid off in January with two other executives, Matthieu Tenenbaum Rochette and Bertrand, was the author of the famous anonymous letter sent in late August at the direction of Renault.

"In May this year, I saw Michael Balthazard negotiate a jar of wine, claiming that if Bob Bell took advantage of F1, also wanted to enjoy it and feed his bank account," says the author literally. Without the quote, it also aims Matthew Tenenbaum."During another conversation, he (Michel Balthazar, Ed) spoke of a young man (Matthew Tenenbaum, Ed) which quickly understood how it works to fill his bank account," he adds.

Renault has made "mistakes"

Recognizing not have "no evidence", the "Raven" was threatening the management of Renault. "Without checking action on your part, I would not hesitate in a few weeks to send the letter to the press creditreport." But according to RTL radio, which obtained one of the anonymous letters, the document aimed Michel Balthazard contains "no details or overwhelming potential to advance the investigation."

Anyway, the contents of this letter plot."Who else but a close security service may Renault whether audits will be conducted?" Asks Maitre Thibault de Montbrial, lawyer Matthew Tenenbaum.

The Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI), responsible for investigating this matter, and would guide his research on the environment "very close" to Michel Balthazard. A dozen people are suspected by investigators.

For its part, Renault, however, convinced he has been betrayed by three executives who allegedly leaked confidential information, now acknowledges having made "mistakes." And if the automaker had wrongfully dismissed three executives on false accusations from a "raven" still an employee of the group? This would then no longer one but two crises that the automaker should be managed.

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Gbagbo commandeers subsidiaries of French banks

Posted in Uncategorized, business, resources, technology, world by admin on February 18th, 2011 | Comments Off

French banks bear the brunt of the deepening of the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire. Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo out, trying to stay ahead of the state and against the last presidential election, has announced last night on public television RTI "on decrees that the State of Côte Ivory took control by taking a full and complete participation in the capital of some banks. These include the SGBCI and Bicic, which are subsidiaries of Ivorian French banks BNP Paribas and Societe Generale.

His decision is to "preserve jobs and ensure the access of Ivorians and traders to their assets" in "as soon as possible."The two French banks did not wish to comment on the intentions of Laurent Gbagbo.

Financial asphyxiation

Following the post-election crisis, born of the struggle between Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and outgoing Alassane Ouattara, President-elect acknowledged by much of the international community, the Central Bank of African States (BCEAO ) has severed its ties with Abidjan in January to try to suffocate the Gbagbo regime. This isolation has closed the financial tap francs CFA president.Far from giving up, Laurent Gbagbo attempted to mount a viable banking system across Ivory Coast, the price of a "huge pressure" on the subsidiaries of large foreign banks to remain in business.

But with the lack of liquidity, technical difficulties and legal risks, and the threat of sanctions wielded by the BCEAO against banks working with the Gbagbo government, especially when faced with violence that threaten the safety of their employees, BNP Paribas and Societe Generale first, yesterday, gave the signal for withdrawal payday loans guaranteed no fax. "Other banks will close," predicted one senior industry.

Effect "cataclysmic" freezing the financial system

Already five major foreign banks have decided to suspend their activities. The interruption of their business is blocking the Ivorian banking system, plunging the country a little more into chaos.The economy had indeed already been drastically slowed by the sanctions of the EU imposing such a ban on the two ports, the country's lung. The effect of blocking bank could be "cataclysmic," according to some.

Already, Abidjan went to stop their banks to withdraw their money. "It is feared the contagion effect, so we just remove a little about our savings," says one entrepreneur. "I'd rather have my money on me, it is unclear what will happen," shouts one soldier. The political crisis appears to have already led to a banking crisis that goes straight to an economic crisis.

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First flight of low-cost long-haul between Paris and Asia

Posted in economics, economy, money, resources, world by admin on February 17th, 2011 | Comments Off

Tony Fernandes, president and founder of AirAsia still can not. The day before his first plane landed first at Orly for the launch, the day of St. Valentine, the Paris-Kuala Lumpur four times a week operated by its subsidiary low-cost, AirAsiaX, first low- cost global long-haul. "There are only nine years, we had only two aircraft. Today, we are in Paris. It is a dream for me. "And to celebrate the event, company officials have punctuated their speeches in the great library of the Automobile Club de France in Paris Cancan numbers and Malaysian traditional dances under the amused eyes of many guests including Louis Welsh, president of EADS.

The latter's presence was not coincidental. AirAsia is currently negotiating the purchase of new aircraft to expand its fleet of 98 Airbus (A 320, 330, A 340) and 4 Boeing.Tony Fernandes said he was concerned by the Neo A 320, remotorisée version of the device consuming less fuel. "We are actively talking on the plane," he told AFP. A 320 of the 175 ordered with an option for 50 more, a dozen of them could be Neo. Chairman of AirAsia said that eventually his fleet "could reach 500 units.

Cooperation with SNCF

Tony Fernandes has reiterated that it was seeking new niches for the Paris-Kuala Lumpur will become daily. "Paris will perhaps become our central European," he added, explaining that London, opened two years ago, was "a problem". He believes that "taxes are too high and that air traffic control is a big mess."He again expressed his hope to launch a second route to Manchester to open the passenger doors of Italy, the Alps and southern Europe.

The company continues its campaign launch with connections provided by AirAsia to major destinations in Southeast Asia at discounted prices until 20 February: go Paris-Singapore via Kuala Lumpur costing 249 euros, while Paris-Bangkok Jakarta or $ 279 euros and 289 euros Paris-Bali.

Asked about the economic model of its low cost, Tony Fernandes said that the frequency of flights would be profitable lines. It also states that with the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, AirAsiaX offer packages including hotel accommodation. And France, AirAsia is considering collaboration with SNCF to ensure passengers from Asia matches by train to major French and European destinations.

Stephen Elop: "Nokia will receive billions of dollars of Microsoft"

Posted in business, economics, finance, resources, world by admin on February 15th, 2011 | Comments Off

In Barcelona at Mobile World Congress, Nokia-Microsoft agreement is central to the questions. Stephen Elop responds.

LE FIGARO. – Google has criticized the alliance with Microsoft, saying that the marriage of "two turkeys never created an eagle?

Stephen Elop. – Our two groups have complementary products and a balanced portfolio of assets. Together, we have great facilities, well-finished products and strong brands in operating systems for mobile phones. It's the same in services with a side maps, location services and guidance on the other search engines, the range of services for the Xbox game console and productivity tools.Overall, we need the full range.

Why not have chosen Google's Android?

We would have encouraged the emergence of a duopoly in smartphones, with a side of Apple and Google each other. For in recent years, Apple has been between 15% and 20% of the market and Android between 60% and 70%. That would have recalled the development for the PC industry, where margins of manufacturers have become weak. An alliance with Google would have been detrimental, ultimately, to our ecosystem.

What is the financial part of the agreement with Microsoft?

On the one hand, we will buy Microsoft's Windows operating system Phone for our future smartphones. This allows us to reduce our investment in research and development. We will reduce our operational expenses. On the other, Microsoft will give us a lot of cash. This amount is counted in billions of dollars.We can increase our marketing efforts and our search for the next generation of products.

Your competitors are paying 10 to 15 dollars a Windows Phone 7. How much will you pay?

We are the leading manufacturer of mobile phones in the world. So we got an attractive price.

Will you continue to use Symbian OS for Nokia smartphones for entry-level?

We intend to use Windows phone in as many products as possible. In India, where a mobile phone costs $ 3 to purchase, we will also have a proposal for a Windows phone. In addition, we have our own solutions which will benefit from our investments

Why did Nokia shares fell on the announcement of the alliance with Microsoft?

We created a lot of ambiguities and uncertainties for investors personal loan for poor credit.How long the transition period going to last? What will happen pending the release of our first products on Windows 7 Phone this year? In addition, we have announced substantial job cuts, without specifying the number, because we must provide these answers to the staff before the unveiling. All these issues have caused uncertainty.

What do you want to change the culture of Nokia?

Change the way we work. First, division heads will be responsible for the results of their activities and bureaucracy will be abolished. Now, Jo Harlow, for example, is responsible for the results of the division of smartphones. This was not the case before. The heads of subsidiaries have more power without needing to refer all the time in Finland. We want to improve the elements of the corporate culture.The company was too slow in its decision making. We must think with more humility. We deliver more and more mobile phones, but the market situation is changing very fast. We must be more humble in our decision making and how to talk to our customers

What is your involvement in the Internet Tablet?

We MeeGo operating system, designed with Intel, which was adopted by a German partner for an Internet tablet. Mobile World Congress, other companies should announce. For Nokia, we have multiple options. We can take advantage of our agreement with Microsoft or operate our own operating systems.With MeeGo, we could see the emergence of other products such as GPS navigation devices.

How many do you have Microsoft stock?

I had a substantial stake in Microsoft, because of my former office. During the thirty days following my departure, I did not have the right to sell those shares, for regulatory reasons. Then, once I was right, I initiated a sales program. I achieved 60% of the shares I own. But as soon as we started discussions with Microsoft, I stopped the sale because I own proprietary information, unknown to investors.

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Brussels admits the role of speculation on prices

Posted in business, economics, publications, special, top news by admin on February 2nd, 2011 | Comments Off

The retreat from Brussels is not merely cosmetic. A week after being criticized by Nicolas Sarkozy, the European Commission published on Wednesday in Brussels, its report on raw materials and access to rare earths.

As expected, the text – including Le Figaro has obtained a copy – was amended. Unlike the first version, it admits a link between speculation, more frequent on the futures markets and commodity prices in physical markets. But this link is not considered self-evident nor in the formation of prices."While it is clear that there is a strong correlation between the positions on derivatives markets and prices on spot markets, we read in the report, it is always very difficult to fully assess the interactions and impact of market movements derivatives on the volatility of the underlying physical markets. "In other words, there is no evidence that speculation, in itself, makes up the prices of raw materials, which cater primarily to the law of the supply and demand.

The EU executive does not fold completely to the orders of Nicolas Sarkozy, who as chairman of the G20, has made the fight against speculation in agricultural markets one of his priorities, saying that it plays a role and proved disastrous in the recent rise in prices and price volatility.

Limiting positions

For the rest, the Commission agrees without blinking in the direction of the French Presidency.Especially when it comes to demand more transparency on the physical and financial markets and prevent market abuse. If not matter for Brussels to ban speculation, for we must "let the physical market participants to hedge against price risks, we must however consider taking enforcement action, including" imposing position limits "on the markets where justified. That is what the policeman American futures markets, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is trying to do for several weeks in the United States to quell the speculation. On this point, Europe is lagging behind.It has no legislative instruments or the gendarme to intervene on the futures markets for commodities, especially active in London and Geneva.

The Commission is more proactive when it comes to defending his strategy to secure its supply of "rare earth", priority of EU Industry Commissioner, Antonio Tajani. Brussels has already identified 14 rare earth materials essential to its most innovative companies. Totally dependent on imports – 97% of rare earths are in China – Europe is ready to monetize access to its domestic market to attract partners.

Commissioner Tajani must travel to Russia and Latin America soon to negotiate privileged access. The Commission also wants to promote the exploitation of rare earth buried beneath its soil, particularly in Sweden and Finland, but also in France (tungsten).To do this, Brussels will have to tweak the blow to European ecologists, negotiating an amendment to Directive Natura 2000.

Stocks of corn and soybeans fall in the U.S.

Posted in business, economic, international, technology, world by admin on January 17th, 2011 | Comments Off

Coffee, maize and soya upwards

As for agricultural commodities, time was up last week. Even the records. Cereals have touched the highest since 2008 in Chicago. At issue: the release of highly anticipated monthly report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has troubled investors. The latter has in fact lowered its estimates of world production of corn for the 2010/2011 season to 816 million tonnes. While demand is increasing, driven by ethanol production, U.S. stocks have been drastically scaled down to only 18.92 million tonnes. The contract maturing in March corn finished at $ 6.50 Friday, against $ 5.95 last week. Highest level since July 2008.

For soybeans, the USDA also lowered its forecast for U.S. production at 90.61 million tonnes.Export forecasts remain them unchanged, causing the final stock in the United States to below 4 million tonnes to 3.82. According to analysts, this low level should take the course up until the next USDA report in February. Meanwhile, a bushel of soybeans for March delivery was worth 14.09 dollars on Friday after reaching U.S. $ 14.3250 Thursday new level since 2008.

For wheat, however, global stocks have been revised upwards to 177.99 million tonnes. A bushel of wheat for March delivery ended the week down to 7.6225 dollars.

Arabica is also increased to its highest level in 13 years in New York at 244.50 cents a pound while robusta touched the 2185 dollars in London, the highest since 2008. According to the International Coffee Organization, "Market fundamentals continue to be favorable at high prices."Moreover, "the capricious climate affects crop production and transportation in exporting countries, and disrupts the supply of coffee in the short term," in a context where "demand remains strong, particularly in emerging markets," explains organization.

Cocoa is also mounted last week. The market remains very volatile, so that no solution to the Ivorian political crisis is found. In London, a tonne of cocoa for March delivery ended at 2003 pounds Fridays (4.16% in five days) while in New York, the contract for delivery to the same term ended in 3045 dollars (7, 52% on the week).

Brent crude rises $ 99

Week oil has also been marked by the rise. Main cause of higher prices: the closure of a pipeline in Alaska.1200 km long and connects the North Slope oil region, bordering the Arctic to the southern coast of Alaska, the Trans Alaska pipeline carries between 630,000 and 650,000 barrels of crude per day. This represents over 10% of U.S. production and an important source of supply for the West Coast of the United States. Its closure was decided after the discovery of a leak in a pumping station.

In New York, a barrel of benchmark for February delivery chained three consecutive sessions of gains, boosting its price to 89.25 dollars on Monday to 91.86 dollars on Wednesday. In London, the movement was even more pronounced. Brent for the same period hit its highest level since October 1, 2008 to 98.85 dollars on Wednesday.

Thursday was a day of consolidation, but as of Friday, prices are starting to rebound, persistent uncertainty about the status of the pipeline."The supply is plentiful in the U.S., this is not a problem unless it lasts a month, said Matt Smith of Summit Energy. But as the situation is clearer, prices incorporate this factor. " Analysts at Commerzbank confirms: "The disruption in production and supplies are regarded as the reason for rising prices." On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of light sweet crude for February delivery ended the week at 91.54 dollars. For its part, the barrel traded in London climbed to 99.20 dollars in session, before closing at 98.65 dollars. "If Brent were to cross the $ 100 a barrel Texan should try to reach new heights," says Rich Ilczyszyn, Lind-Waldock.

Base metals take a breather

On the London Metal Exchange (LME), the week has been more dispersed.After starting the year off with a bang, investors take a breather. What wonder if the rise earlier this year was not only due to bargain hunting, according to observers. In addition, purchases have been penalized by the rise of the dollar earlier in the week.

Copper failed to beat his own record (9754 dollars) and was quoted at 9640 dollars Friday. Nickel fell to 25,747 dollars per tonne, not without having touched a highest since May 2010 to 25,999 dollars, driven by fears about the situation in Australia. Same downward trend for tin (26,750 dollars) which is also mounted to its highest since last November after Indonesia announced a drop in exports due to flooding.Aluminium fell to 2470 dollars despite the fact that Rio Tinto, the third largest exporter, has declared force majeure on one of its largest smelter in Australia.

Most optimistic operators let go gold

Gold was, in turn, affected by renewed optimism on the part of investors. They have enjoyed the successes of three major bond issues of the moment: Portugal, Spain and Italy. The record growth in Germany in December has been added to this positive picture on the economic situation in the euro area. The gold as a safe haven was no longer the priority of operators. Even the dollar's decline has not been enough to halt the downtrend. On the London Bullion Market, gold price ended Friday at 1367 dollars.

As always, gold has led the money in his wake.The latter fell to its lowest level since early December (28.02 dollars per ounce) before laboriously recover. He finished at 28.27 dollars.

A trend-cons, PGMs rose sharply, driven by tensions on supply due to power cuts in South African mines. Platinum rose to its highest since last July (1,829.50 dollars) and palladium has surpassed the $ 800 for the first time in 10 years. On the London Platinum and Palladium Market, they finish the week respectively to 1811 dollars and 795 dollars an ounce.

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