Decline in unemployment in the first quarter in the UK

The number of unemployed people in the UK fell in the first three months of the year at their own pace strongest in nearly a year, according to figures released Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics.

The UK economy fell into recession at the beginning of the year, fueling fears that the private sector employees join the ranks of job seekers when State removes some 700,000 civil service posts as part of its austerity measures.

But following the methodology of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the number of unemployed fell by 45,000 in the first quarter to $ 2.625 million.

The unemployment rate actually fell to 8.2%, while the consensus gave unchanged at 8.3%. 

The number of unemployed youth, a very sensitive politically, also declined to 1.02 million, bringing the unemployment rate for those aged 16-24 to 21.9%.

British companies have also increased their workforce for the first time in a year, according to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (ICPD). The CIPD warns that the changing economic landscape could make it difficult in the short-term improvement on the labor market.

ArcelorMittal confident after a first quarter better than expected

ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker, said Thursday anticipate earnings up in the second quarter after posting better than expected results for the three months of the Year e.

The Luxembourg-based group says that demand has increased in North America in the automotive, construction and appliance.

"Europe remains our main challenge and, in the first quarter, we announced the extended shutdown of several factories in the line of our strategy is to re ; lay on demand from our site competitive, "said Group Chief Executive Lakshmi Mittal said in a statement. 

"Despite the impact of seasonal factors in the first quarter, our mining remains a key growth area and we have set ourselves the objective of further increasing production in 2012."

ArcelorMittal said its steel shipments expected to remain at a similar level to the first quarter but that all segments are expected to improve their profitability. It does not say whether these gains will come from rising prices, costs down, or both.

The group reaffirmed its target of a gross operating profit (EBITDA) rose in the first six months of the year compared to the second half of 2011, when he was 4 , 1 billion dollars (3.17 billion euros).

In the first quarter, EBITDA totaled $ 1.97 billion, well above the Reuters consensus among 11 banks and brokers, who gave it to 1.71 billion. This result was up by 15% over the previous quarter and 24% annual rate.

The net profit amounted to 11 million, instead of the 78 million expected.

ArcelorMittal has also reported that it had signed an agreement to sell its 23.48% in Enovos International SA, for the benefit of a fund managed by AXA Private Equity Group, for a purchase price of EUR 330 million.

Household consumption fell by 2.9% in March

French consumer spending on goods fell 2.9% in March, erasing the equivalent rebound registered the previous month (3.0% in the first estimate) , according to data released Friday by INSEE.

Throughout the first quarter, growth in household spending on consumer goods rose 0.2% after rising 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2011. Over one year, from March 2011 to March 2012, however, they contract by 2.0%.

The decline in consumption of goods recorded in March was due to falling energy costs (-11.3% compared to February) and to a lesser extent to decline in food expenditures (-2.3%).

The 17 economists polled by Reuters on average expected a 1.9% decline in consumer spending on goods in March.

Pierre & Vacances suffers suffers electoral calendar

Pierre & Vacances said Thursday that its summer bookings were marked by a phenomenon linked to a wait for Uncertain but also schedule e lectoral French. 

The group specializes in the operation of leisure residences said they adapted accordingly its communication strategy by focusing on short-term and shifting from May to June most its shares trade on summer vacation

To this day, "activity is slightly above last year during the months of April and May, with last minute bookings significant," reads said in a statement

For the second quarter of fiscal year 2011-2012, Pierre & Vacances has published a turnover up 4% on a comparable supported by its activity in property development. 

Over this period, they stand at 304.3 million euros, of which 250.9 million euros in tourism (-0.7%) and 53.4 million (+34%) in the de real estate development

For the full year 2011-2012, the company expects a turnover level of real estate "around 300 million euros".

The action Pierre & Vacances closed Thursday at 21.66 euros (-1.46%) it transferred 15.46% since the beginning of the year after a fall of 57.57% last year.

That hides the yoyo market

Financial markets seem to have entered a new phase of instability. This correction is benign or she announces she a new crisis. The responses of Grandrille Xavier, President of Amplegest. Paris Bourse

For three months, financial markets and the States have experienced a real honeymoon. German and Japanese shares rose nearly 20%, spreads have narrowed significantly, from 200 basis points for Italy and Portugal, 170 points for Ireland, 30 points for France. But for two days, it is the fever which prevails. In Spain and Italy, rates on government bonds are strained. And scholarships to play yoyo throughout the Old continent. Analysis of Gandrille Xavier, President of Amplegest

Correction in financial markets is normal?

Only in part. Since late 2011, the CAC 40 was much increased. About 16% until mid March. This increase was driven by two factors. The first is the disappearance of systemic risk through intervention by the ECB provides liquidity to banks. The second is the improved outlook for growth. Last summer, it seemed that Europe would not live through the winter. And then the activity – even if it remains depressed – has grown faster than expected. After a period of rising markets, it is normal to see a correction. We lost 10% of the CAC. It's not a disaster. The problem is knowing what will make markets in the coming months. Will you stay in the same waters or on the contrary, enter a negative cycle?

Exactly. What is your scenario for the future?

The answer is not obvious. But unlike the consensus which considers the correction of the past two days as normal, I'm pretty uncomfortable. The euro area remains a system that does not work. And injections of liquidity by the ECB do not change. We are in a situation where the debt repayment hampers growth. But until there is no improvement economic contagion – that is to say, a generalized rise in long rates – is possible.

Can we implement growth policies to loosen the grip of markets?

It's complicated. Future investments are expensive. We can implement liberalization policies as in the Scandinavian countries. But this type of policy takes time to produce its effect on the economy, in contrast to fiscal austerity. Europe is thus reduced to buying time to let the markets do not become impatient. This is what happened, for example, with its new firewall. But I remain pessimistic for the future. I'm afraid the consensus is do a little too many illusions about the ability of Europe to come out of the rut by itself. It will probably still other attacks markets, other crises to advance.

The global air traffic up 9.3% yoy in February

The air passenger traffic grew 9.3% yoy in February but rising fuel prices and the deterioration of the overall business climate are factors of uncertainty for the future, announced Tuesday the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

The numbers at the end of February have benefited the Chinese New Year, Carnival in Rio and a favorable base effect due to the impact of traffic on the Arab spring last year ; re the same period.

"The outlook is fragile. Improving the business climate weakened in February. This will limit the potential for customer growth in business class and implies an acceleration of the freight is not imminent, "said Tony Tyler, CEO of Iata said in a statement

. growth in international cargo was 5.1% on-year slide in February …… Passenger traffic

… grew faster than the available capacity that growth came to 7.3% year on year, which resulted in a better load factor of the devices. The trend was reversed for freight, which has resulted in a rate of capacity utilization of only 50%, IATA said … ……

The price war moves lines, mass dismissals

French consumers' purchasing power stagnant or even declining, leave no alternative: the price war is declared over and intensifies, leading to casualties until the hushed offices s branches.

Treasurers and volatile, consumers hunt for bargains, not hesitating to visit several stores or surfing the net to find the best prices.

"Consumers are facing a first tightening of tax and price increases, wage freezes, not to mention the consequences of rising unemployment which lead them to save by cutting their defi ; think, "explains Alexander Mirlicourtois, an economist at the institute Xerfi. 

"In this context of zero-sum game where everything that is earned by some is lost by the other, the short-term strategies of both producers and distributors are very constraints and go through domination by prices and costs, "he adds.

"This is illustrated by the arrival of Free Mobile."

Frank Esser, head of the mobile operator SFR, which contributes 40% to operating income of its parent company Vivendi, has been sacked for not much anticipated the arrival of Free (Iliad).

This is the latest example. In large groups with the French market still represents a significant portion of revenues and profits, it is not good to be in charge of France.

At Carrefour, the replacement in May of the Executive Director for France did not allow the CEO of leading food retailer in France to save his head and Lars Olofsson will leave in June.

Earlier this year, PSA Peugeot-Citroen, whose market share of passenger cars in France fell in 2011, appointed his finance director Frederic Saint-Geours at the head of the management of brands.

POWER AND WANTING TO BUY

"Households have a strong feeling of restriction. They are bombarded with commercial offerings and have the desire to consume, but they feel very strongly that their purchasing power is not up to their 'will to purchase ", said Franck Lehuédé, Department of Consumer Research Centre for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Credoc)

……. .. "They make choices, and the first sector they highlight is the recreation and communication. There is a generation effect: even in times of crisis these areas remain safe havens, "he continues

……. .. "Health is another area that goes well the crisis. In an aging society, crisis or not, health spending increases. "

We must also consider spending constraints , some such as housing and energy soared, pushing consumers to restrict all others, especially the equipment housing, automotive, clothing and even food

. In the car, which has largely lost its role as a social marker, the price war is raging in particular small cars entered e range. This segment, which has benefited most from the scrappage scheme, is struggling since the demise of a measure which, in turn, has used drivers at prices even lower.

Household spending in textile-leather were down 5.6% yoy at end-January, according to INSEE.

In food, arbitrations are equally radical. The sector experienced in 2008 and 2009 two consecutive years of decline, the most since World War II. In 2011, these expenditures have stagnated in volume.

"If households do not necessarily consume less in volume, they consume less," notes Franck Lehuédé.

Carrefour, which France represents 43% of turnover and 39.5% of operating income, failed to divest itself of an image of higher price s that some competitors, and sees the market share of its hypermarkets erode steadily.

ABOVE THE INDEPENDENT

Food service, at the confluence of entertainment and food, is symptomatic breaks imposed by the price dynamics with purchasing power at half-mast. The concentration of the industry structured around clusters, chains and brands, will continue.

Independent restaurants with fewer than three employees, representing 60% of institutions-have seen their market share in the turnover of the sector from 30% in 1994 to less than 20% in 2007 and 2020 groups will distribute 45% of meals provided against 38% in 2007, according to research firm Eurogroup presented March 20 by the National Union of ho ; i-bays, restaurants, cafes and caterers (Synhorcat).

"When consumption is down, there is no other choice but to take customers to the competition through a strategy of capturing market share with a continuous expansion of networks distribution, "Alexander Mirlicourtois analysis. "The price war is no thank you and independents will be the main victims in 2012."

If the market is already locked by major retailers, the development is done either by transfer of a sign shop to another, like the 46 Carrefour stores recently spent ; s the flag-U system, whether by merger to the image network of garden centers and Pollen Villaverde who have come together to give birth to a group uniting 185 stores, now the fifth player in the sector.

The same logic was the end of 2010 the approximation of jewelers Histoire d'Or and Marc Orian, who formed a network of over 500 stores under six banners, high of 370 million euros of turnover. 

When the market is not locked or not, the chains held in place their denser mesh and open new stores. This allows them to have an additional strike force with their suppliers to drive prices down and capture the business of the independents.

But "low prices all year need to go deeper into offshoring, to pressurize perpetual sub-contractors, as soon as possible to substitute skilled jobs by unskilled jobs, "notes Alexander Mirlicourtois.

"If, initially, the price decline is pleasing to consumers, deflation is a deadly poison, it's a vicious cycle that becomes self-sustaining and that destroys the value of all goods than that of labor. "

The reforms must be pursued in the euro area, said Draghi

The euro area is beginning to stabilize but his future will depend on the integrity of structural reforms undertaken by Member States, said Tuesday the president of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi.

The leader, in office since last November, said the inflation risk did not materialize currently within the euro area since the output gap remained, while expressing "determined" to continue the work of his predecessor Jean-Claude Trichet in terms of price stability.

"We are constantly vigilant about inflation risk but this risk does not materialize at the moment," he said during a speech in Paris on competitiveness ;. 

The ECB continues to see signs of stabilization in the euro area which would benefit the member countries to pursue economic reforms, he said.

"We continue to see signs of stabilization although they are shy," said the central banker, before asserting that rates low in the short term together with measures to the sector would support financial growth.

The ECB has held since December two large lending operations to three years (LTRO) for banks for a total turn around of a thousand billion.

Mario Draghi said that banks should do the same to strengthen their balance sheets by retaining earnings and by reducing dividends and bonuses. 

"The strength of bank balance sheets will be a key factor in facilitating their lending activity, their primary mission," he said.

The President of the ECB has however expressed concern about the differences in competitiveness, increasing according to him, among the member countries of the euro area.

According to the ECB, labor costs rose two and a half times faster in countries with balance of payments deficit in countries that accumulate surpluses.

"Member countries must reduce their competitiveness and enhance their own prosperity and stability of the monetary union," he said. 

"If we do not reform all together, and this has been said many times early in the life of the euro, it will be difficult to maintain the integrity of the area ".

China interested in electric models by Renault

The Renault range of vehicles that manufacture and market in China will incorporate at least one electric model at the request of the Chinese, said Tuesday the deputy CEO of group.

Renault hopes to produce locally from 2014-2015, joining Nissan in the Chinese market through joint venture that holds its Japanese partner with China's Dongfeng. He hopes to get the green light from authorities by the end of the year to start building its first factory in China.

"Our Chinese partners are very interested in zero-emission vehicles, including electric vehicles," said Carlos Tavares to the press room Geneva Motor Show.

"They asked us to integrate our product plan vehicles of this technology and of course, knowing this is one of our strengths, we agreed to do so willingly, for benefit of the JV, "he added.

"It is tasty as the bet of the electric vehicle is the element that we will return to China, but it is a fact, they asked us."

Renault unveiled in Geneva at the forefront of its electric range, the city Zoe, which will be produced soon Flins (Yvelines). It adds to the Kangoo nonthermal, the Fluence sedan and mini-urban vehicle Twizzy

. Despite a slower start than expected this type of vehicle, the group believes they still account for 10% of the automotive market in 2020

.

Beiersdorf expects profits up in 2012

Beiersdorf expects earnings growth in 2012, having eliminated unprofitable products to focus on its flagship brand Nivea, waiting for a new chief executive next month.

The consumer products group general public has lost market share in recent years and attempts to remedy this by redesigning its product line dominated by Nivea, the first global brand of care the skin.

Beiersdorf, which also owns the range of luxury cosmetics La Prairie, announced in January and the results better than expected margin for 2011, suggesting that a slow movement of recovery maybe put on.

He believes that the operating margin of the consumer division should exceed that of 2011, stood at 11.4% against 12.7% in 2010. 

The new CEO Stefan Heidenreich will take the reins of the group in April, charging him with driving a change which, if it proved unsuccessful, could fuel speculation by Beiersdorf future operational able.

The group proposes an unchanged dividend of 0.70 euro per share, while analysts polled by Reuters had expected € 0.68.