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The first witnesses in the trial of Jerome Kerviel to show unfavorable to the former trader. However, the three lawyers of the Societe Generale seem nervous.

My Veil, Reinhart and Martineau do not in place. Sometimes they twirl and shake, like swallows on a wire, while nearly two representatives of the Crown. The result is a mass effect on the side of the charge, which accentuates the loneliness of the accused, sitting in a chair – which is probably not displease her advice. Sometimes, in turn, lawyers for the plaintiff are powerful whisper the word to reporters, as if they have trumpeted the court might be misunderstood.

Here are just a witness who has everything to please them: SN is a trader at Societe Generale. Tall, slim, short hair, gray suit (a standard, obviously), this old friend of Mr.Kerviel stands slightly hunched, embarrassed of the man whose belly gargoyle society. "I do not necessarily asked to be there," he slips to the President. But since there is, he sings the lament of an honest financial embittered: "We all have limits to respect. Jerome Kerviel took positions stratospheric endangering the bank and its employees. We are fighting every day to earn a little money in the bank. I am disappointed and disgusted. "

Mr. Metzner asticote this model employee: "If you say the lesser evil of the Company generally, you would find your chair tomorrow?"

The witness, categorically: "Yes paydayloans. "

The lawyer, humbug "Try …"

Martineau and yelping My Veil: "MSunder oath! We want him to give false testimony: "The prosecutor Jean-Michel Aldebert, but caveat:" Do not terrorize witnesses, Master! "

Mr. Metzner and his partner, Nicolas Huc-Morel, now produce a picture that at first sight, shows that the theoretical limit imposed on the traders would have been "disabled" – understood: it was not expressly prohibited Kerviel to invest billions. Claire Dumas, part of SocGen, refutes the argument. The three councils of the bank seriously nod of the head, Mr. Metzner is gloating.As Mr Kerviel, but it should be noted that his ostensible irony and his disposition to take up anyone questioned irritate the president, who often questioned.

Societe Generale, it comes out of his sleeve a graphic frightening: If it had not "unwound" Kerviel aberrant positions from January 2008, she had said she lost, not 4.9, but 29 billion. This time, the trio that swagger, while Mr. Metzner, red as a peony, storm: "These pieces have not been disclosed to the defense!"

The performance resumed Friday morning.

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The euro continued its fall on Monday and slips under the threshold of 1.19 to 1.1894 dollar against the euro early this morning, a first in over four years. The single currency also fell back against the Japanese currency, the euro fell to its lowest level in over eight years, listing at 108.35 yen against 110.01 yen on Friday evening.

The cause new concerns about the financial situation of Europe after the alarmist claims in Hungary on the country's economic situation where the deficit would exceed 7% of gross domestic product (GDP) while the official estimates evoked 4 5%. A scenario that is eerily the premises of the crisis in Greece.

The economic and monetary instability in the euro zone single currency also weakened. But European leaders are willing to intervene.French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met today in Berlin to strengthen their ties and cohesion policies. If both appear on the same line in terms of regulation, the outlawing of the regulators or the taxation of banks, other topics are still under discussion as the degree of budgetary austerity.

However, the Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker reassuring. The latter said yesterday that the euro is not undermined. Questioned on TV5 Monde, the president of the Eurogroup has explained that while "money appears very weak in the eyes of the markets," in reality "it is not because our fundamentals are stronger than those of Japan and the United States United.

Markets dive again s'nquiètent of the euro and the situation in Hungary.The Tokyo stock market declines and 4% in mid-session on Monday.

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The CAC 40 climbed 2.19% to 3,578.01 at mid-points. Optimism is also topical in London where the FTSE gained 1.65% to 5236.50 points. In Germany, where the day is a holiday but not to the Exchange, the DAX index climbed 1.66% to 6080.33 points

European markets follow the footsteps of Asian financial centers this morning. These are themselves remained on the rebound on Wall Street yesterday, which saw the Dow finished up 2.25% through the good figures for real estate and automotive. On Wednesday, the same statistics have allowed the Paris Bourse stop the slide to achieve a closing balance (-0.05%).

Selected indicators

On Thursday, markets should evolve further over the many publications of macroeconomic indicators in Europe and the United States:

– In France, INSEE reported that the unemployment rate according to ILO had remained "stable at a high level" in the first quarter of 2010 in France, 9.5% of the workforce in France and 9.9% with the overseas departments (DOM).

– Regarding the euro area: the services sector has experienced growth in May, slightly higher than expected. The index Markit Purchasing Managers (PMI) service sector stood at 56.2 in May, its growth rate was the highest since August 2007, against 56 in "flash" estimate and 55.5 in April.This is the ninth month of consecutive increase this index is above 50, is the line that distinguishes growth from contraction in activity.

– Retail sales in the Eurozone fell sharply in April when economists expected a slight increase from the previous month. In the 16 countries adopting the single currency, sales decreased 1.2% compared to March, its largest decline since October 2008, and show a decline of 1.5% over one year.

Overseas, the day should also be prosperous: Investors await the monthly report of employment in the private sector and the weekly claims for unemployment benefits.Are also expected industrial orders in April, the productivity of the first quarter, the ISM index of services activity and weekly oil inventories.

The car in sight

As for values, Valeo will hold its general assembly in early afternoon. The group expressed confidence in achieving its 2010 target of doubling its operating margin compared to 1.8% achieved in 2009. The automotive supplier is also only for the first half, a operating margin of close to 6% based on a turnover of around 4.7 billion euros. The news pushed the stock market as: the action takes the head of DTH with an increase of 7.35% at 23.50 euros.

PSA Peugeot Citroen for its part occupies the first place winners of the ACC with an increase of 5.48% to 20.60 euros.The builder, who held its general meeting Wednesday, said he would reimburse the billion loan from the State in the second half. The boss of Philippe Varin has also confirmed the target of a largely positive EBIT in the first half. He felt that the positioning of two brands of PSA was not consistent with the lower cost.

Renault, Dacia sales explode in his wake, takes 4.28% to 30.59 euros.

Air France KLM (6.04% to 10.50 euros) on Wednesday, speaking through its Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, the voluntary separation plan of the company had achieved its objectives. This morning, the company also announced that passenger traffic up 4.3% last month, to 6.2 million passengers.With capacities of stable (+0.1%), the load factor is an improvement of 3.3 points to 80.6%.

Maxime Lombardini, Chief Executive of Free (Iliad: + 1.02% to 68.54 euros), said in an interview with Le Figaro that his group had already invested $ 350 million in fiber optics and that it will invest year more than 150 million. "I confirm that we have 4 million homes connected with fiber in 2012," he said.

Saint Gobain (3.47%) held its general meeting this afternoon.

Note that the bank still buffeted yesterday, also benefit from the euphoria: Axa (2.44%), Societe Generale (1.64%), Credit Agricole (2.67%) and BNP Paribas ( 0.27%) are in green.

Trading – financial transactions – markets do not know the crisis. According to the Financial Times, U.S. banks would have benefited every day to make huge profits in the first quarter. The paper is based on a document with the SEC, the U.S. financial policeman to prove that Goldman Sachs would have earned at least $ 25 million during the 63 days of the first quarter and would have even 35 times, made profits of 100 million dollars. But Goldman Sachs is not the only investment bank cited. JP Morgan's side have conceded through its $ 118 million transactions per day, an average of 5 million dollars a hour.

The performance is particularly noteworthy that the period January-February-March is a time when the markets were nervous and suffering from high volatility.The leaders of Goldman Sachs attributes this success to "a robust risk management.

$ 78.8 billion in sales

These market operations long way to explaining the excellent quarterly results of the two banks. JP Morgan reported net income up 57% year on year to 3.3 billion dollars. For its part, Goldman Sachs announced earnings doubled in the first quarter to 3.3 billion dollars as well.

More broadly, the 14 largest investment banks have announced a total of 78.8 billion dollars in revenue over the first three months of the year. Either their best showing in three years.

Analysts estimate that these figures may give ammunition to advocates of a tax on bank profits and the wider policy to require banking institutions to strengthen their equity.The information falls worse for Goldman Sachs who is the subject of a complaint by the SEC accused him of having misled investors by selling them derivatives-backed U.S. mortgage risk.

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Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic

End of turbulence for the advertising of France Televisions? The group's board decided on Tuesday morning to suspend negotiations with the consortium formed by Publicis and Lov St?phane Courbit, confirmed by France Televisions in a statement.

Discussions were already sealed since Frederic Mitterrand has reported an "ethical problem" for potential buyers. Jean-Francois Cope said his contribution to the debate by expressing support for the maintenance of advertising day after 2011, the date fixed by law to decide the future of advertising on France Televisions.The decision of the board of directors is therefore in the direction of the leader of UMP.

This decision takes into account "the substantial uncertainty surrounding whether or not to advertise before 20h," the statement said the leadership of France Televisions, which states that the "exclusive negotiations in progress is intrinsically linked to the assumption of suppression of advertising before 20 hours on the antennae of the group. "

A result in ahead of schedule

The management team at France Televisions has another reason to rejoice. According to the Tribune on Tuesday, she managed to exit the group's public accounts in 2009, making him reap a profit of 19.6 million against a net loss of 78.4 million in 2008. The performance is surprising in light of the deficit of 135 million originally budgeted. All indicators are also green.Operating income also goes a loss of 101.2 million to a profit of 68.7 million is one year. A result that the State had not expected before 2011 pay day loan lenders.

Net revenue available group also rose to 2.497 billion against 2.263 billion a year earlier. This result is explained partly by an 8% increase in advertising revenues for 20 hours (405 million euros), and secondly, by a government grant of 405 million euros expected to offset the stop advertising after 20 hours in 2009 which resulted in a shortfall of 383 million euros to France Televisions.

The cost of programs increases

The results show an increase in expenses of 3.2% to 2.45 billion euros. Since the cessation of advertising, France Televisions was indeed invest heavily in its production.The group would also step up its commitments in the sector of cinema

These new standards imposed on manufacturers led to an increase of 4% of program costs to 1.94 billion euros. The savings from the reduction of staff (120 positions at least 10,350) are not sufficient to compensate. Hence the current plan of internal synergy.

Confusion surrounds the departure of Carolis

These results sow disorder while rumors of departure of Patrick de Carolis at the end of his term in August amplified since Saturday. Alexandre Bompard, 37 years and current CEO of Europe 1 appears to be the favorite to take the head of France Televisions. His appointment could even intervene Tuesday on the sidelines of the meeting of the board of directors of France Televisions or Wednesday in Council of Ministers.The information is currently denied by the Elysee.

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A colossal sum greater than the budget of the National Education (61 billion). Highly concentrated: 16 niches alone capturing half the cost for public finances.

However, it is often those most economically useful. So goes there for the two most expensive devices: reduced VAT for maintenance in housing, which supports the construction sector and limit the black, and the research tax credit, which helps innovation.

Even finding the side of households, half the cost of tax loopholes is on tax cuts on income. It includes the premium for employment, the benefits of life insurance or the tax cut for working as employees at home. Suffice to say that these niches are very popular among the French! What makes the issue politically sensitive.In addition, certain devices have become political symbols untouchable, like reduced VAT in restaurants, promised by Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy obtained payday loans online. Finally address the benefits of retirees is not straightforward.

To avoid the worst abuses – some taxpayers paying more tax because of all these devices – Parliament has capped the niche end of 2008. He then reduced that limit last year. A taxpayer can not reduce income taxes by using loopholes in the tax in excess of an amount equal to 20 000 plus 8% of its taxable income. And almost all devices are now individually capped. Including niches overseas.

But reducing the niche 2 billion per year is a task far more difficult. Two competing options.Gilles Carrez, the UMP rapporteur of the Finance Committee in Parliament, hopes all planing devices 5% to 10%. The rate of tax reduction for use of an employee at home happen for example 50% to 45%. Bercy wishes to address the niches with the least sense. Elysee Matignon and have not yet decided.

For the government, the record Pechiney has never really been completed. Les Echos on Tuesday unveiled the details of this future recovery in hand, already mentioned several times. Thus, the Strategic Investment Fund (ISP) plans to take 10% stake in this company called Alcan Engineered Products (Alcan EP) since its acquisition by Canada of the same name. This entry would be alongside the U.S. investment fund Apollo would take 51% stake. The remaining 39% remain in the hands of current owner, Rio Tinto, which acquired Alcan in 2007.

Apollo and the ISP should take control of Pechiney plants producing aluminum, which represents approximately 70 sites and over 11,000 employees including 5,000 in France. Negotiations should poursuivrent few weeks for a signed agreement in April.This new organization would be in place end June

Create a champion of aluminum

The aluminum activities hitherto neglected by Rio Tinto. In 2009, Alcan EP saw its sales drop 39% payday loans. Eventually, Rio Tinto could even get out of this business by selling its entire remaining stake in Apollo, or via an IPO.

Meanwhile, the government has high ambitions for Alcan EP. With investments of ISP, the state wants to make it a leading French, European and even global aluminum. A goal goes through restructuring. Negotiations are already underway on some sites and departures are expected in Saint-Florentin (Yonne) or New Breisach (Haut-Rhin) Voreppe (Is?re) or Issoire (Puy-de-Dome). In total, several hundred jobs would be in the spotlight.But the proposed takeover would be based on a commitment to maintain the sites.

In addition, acquisitions outside Europe are also on the menu. The headquarters would be based in France. This new scheme does not exclude a future introduction of the group at the Paris Stock Exchange under the name of Pechiney.

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At dawn on a trail lined with pine trees, hundreds of faces marvel at the sunrise over ridges carved Yellow Mountain, immortalized in traditional Chinese paintings. Search for a little solitude during his vacation in China is a challenge. On most sites, it is not uncommon to see the flags float guides, which announced the arrival of yet another group.

"I travel a lot, but I've never had either the opportunity or means to go abroad," Huang Yun smiled. Commercial for a Chinese company, this young woman of 29 years has never traveled child. But since she works in Shanghai, she loves from a change of pace and has swelled the ranks of Chinese visitors to their own country. These represent the vast majority of tourists visiting the Middle Kingdom.Moreover, only a minority of Chinese can afford to leave the country for holidays.

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The China National Tourism Administration has counted last year 1.9 billion domestic tourist trips to China by plane, train or car. A steady increase in sales for twenty years, thanks to higher living standards, the relaxation of regulations on interprovincial travel and the emergence of paid leave. The award of "Golden Week" by the authorities in the late 1990s, now allows the public to enjoy each year, more than four public holidays, two weeks of leave data at all, for Chinese New Year and National Day on October 1.The Law on Employment Contracts of 2008 provides between five and fifteen days of additional holiday for employees according to seniority no faxing pay day loans .

Besides the New Year with the family, the Chinese go on holiday generally organized in groups, with a busy schedule to as much as possible in four or five days. Beginning with visits to historic and natural sites, their favorite activity. The Chinese territory is seventeen times the France and has twenty-seven sites classified cultural heritage by UNESCO.The local holidays are often more affordable than those spent abroad.

Restaurants & karaoke

Nearly 40% of Chinese tourists spend each year between 100 and 500 euros for travel, 30% between 500 and 1 000, and one quarter more than 1 000, according to a survey by Ctrip, the first Chinese travel agency , which depends on the state.

If the "sacred mountains", Beijing and the Great Wall continues to attract a mass of tourists, new emerging destinations. Almost deserted in the 1990s, the tropical island of Hainan in the south, has become one of popular destinations. Even if the tan is not part of beauty of Asian middle class does not sulk pleasure to enjoy a little sea air.And always have access to a choice of restaurants and karaoke.

For more exotic destinations, the Chinese can afford a small world tour for 16 euros on the national pavilions of Shanghai World Expo, which opens on 1 May Of the 100 million expected visitors, 95% should be Chinese.

Credit Suisse said Thursday that its chief executive Brady Dougan had received 19.2 million Swiss francs (13 million euros) in cash and stock for the year 2009, making it one of the leaders the more lucrative banking sector.

This high level of pay, despite the profits generated by the bank in 2009 and its recent efforts to make its system more transparent compensation, likely to raise criticism from shareholder activists and political parties in Switzerland, where the Parliament debate new wage rules including the introduction of a ceiling on salaries.

In detail, the head of the Swiss bank has received a base salary of 1.3 million Swiss francs and a bonus of 17.9 million.

Huge side of France

"Such compensation for the CEO of Credit Suisse seems huge in terms of what affect the patterns of French banks," says Cyril Bellanger, at Proxinvest. At Societe Generale, Frederic Oud?a received 1.11 million euros of fixed and variable."He had no options or free shares," says analyst research firm specializing in executive compensation.

At BNP Paribas, Baudouin Prot has received 950,000 euros of fixed and 1.4 million bonus. The bank emerged in 2009 a net profit of 5.8 billion euros (+93%), third in the ranking of the best banking performance in 2009, after Barclays and Santander.

Other DGs have refused their bonuses

In Britain, the CEO of Barclays John Varley declined – as in 2008 – to receive his bonus for Payday Loan Bad Credit . The British bank posted a profit doubled to 10.4 billion pounds over the past year, crushing all its European competitors.The institution intends to distribute 1.5 billion in cash bonuses.

Same attitude towards Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh: Stephen Hester has waived his bonus. The Scottish bank posted a net loss after minority interests of 3.6 billion pounds, about 4.1 billion euros, against a loss of 24.3 billion the previous year.

Back in Switzerland, the CEO of the first institution in Switzerland, UBS, Oswald Gr?bel has waived its variable pay and decided to reduce his base salary of 2 million Swiss francs to 850,000 francs (583,000 euros).It is the responsibility of the Investment Banking Division which was the better off for the year 2009 with a premium of 12.5 million Swiss francs, or 8.6 million.

In late January, in a context where wages are banking scandal in the United States and despite a profit of nearly $ 5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009, Goldman Sachs has decided to limit the pay of the hundred top leaders based the United Kingdom, one million pounds (1.13 million euros).

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