Up 22% of the profit of Intesa Q1

Net income of Intesa Sanpaolo, the first retail bank in Italy, grew 22% to 805 million euros in the first quarter, supported by gains on its trading own obligations.

The bank had to spend in provisions for doubtful debts of 970 million euros in the quarter, up 43% over the same period last year, to account degradation of credit quality in the country, hit by a deep economic recession.

Fears of a deteriorating economic situation in Italy, where Intesa makes 80% of its activity, is one of the elements cited by Moody's to justify lowering the massive credit rating of Italian banks Monday. 

Moody's lowered the rating of Intesa Monday to A3, the same level as the Italian sovereign debt.

Intesa announced that its ratio of "core Tier 1", financial strength, was 10.5% at end-March, against 10.1% at the end of last year – one of the highest in Italy.

The bank expects a stable overall operating profit in 2012, excluding special items.

Like other Italian financial institutions, Intesa ended the year 2011 in the red, with a loss of 10.1 billion euros over the years, having moved from significant impairment of goodwill to its balance sheet clean, hard hit by the crisis of the euro.

The title was down nearly 2% in the Milan Stock Exchange.

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.

Greece: austerity censored, neo-Nazis to Parliament

Both sides pro-austerity Greek PASOK and New Democracy, who ruled together in a coalition since November 2011 collapsed in parliamentary elections this Sunday. The country is on the brink of ungovernability. Winner of the poll, the small party of the extreme radical left, Syriza, led by Alexis Tspiras, becomes the second largest party in Greece.

The austerity policy conducted in Greece for two years under pressure from international donors in the country was heavily censored Sunday by voters who sprayed the positions of both parties proponents of strict neo-Nazis and sent to parliament.

New Democracy (right), one of two parties with the PASOK socialist who signed with the European Union a commitment to continue the policy of austerity and reform, has become, as expected, the first party of Greece. But his score historically low, between 17 and 20% of the vote, should make the creation of a stable government impossible, according to preliminary comments.

The austerity censored

PASOK (Socialist), whose former boss George Papandreou had sought a loan from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund in May 2010, rolled out of the poll, with a score between 14 and 17% against 43.9% in 2009, punished for having accepted the terms of drastic austerity attached to aid.

In total, the two parties that formed the pillars of the Greek party system since the fall of the colonels' dictatorship in 1974, do not even reach the 37% needed for a majority of parliamentary seats (151), which bodes ill for opportunity to continue the current policy. "It is a political earthquake that strikes the government parties," said the chain Mega, Panos Panagiotopoulos, a tenor of the New Democracy, the conservative party claiming the top spot. The leader of PASOK, Evangelos Venizelos, who negotiated over the past months the agreement to erase debt and the second international aid plan in the country, acknowledged Sunday night that the formation of a national unity government pro-European, he has expressed its wish to take the country out of the impasse would be "difficult".

The radical left party Syriza, winner of the elections

Winner of the poll, the small party of the extreme radical left, Syriza, led by Alexis Tspiras, becomes the second largest party in Greece, with a score between 15.5 and 17.5% instead of 4.6% in in 2009.  

First surprised by the ras-tidal, activists gathered at party headquarters have not posted too noisy joy, puzzlement and questions about the future of the country appears to the fore the concerns of activists, according to a photographer at the scene. The party requesting the suspension of debt service, deletion of part of the public debt, adding a clause pro-growth in the memorandum.

Officially it does not demand the release of the euro in Greece, PASOK but during the campaign has often been accused of being the party of the output of the euro. In terms of seats, the conservative New Democracy would win 108 seats, PASOK and 38, face two disparate blocks left and right of rejecting austerity. The party of the radical left Syriza get 47 seats. The campaign was dominated by the challenge to the austerity policies conducted under the leadership of donor countries.

9.8 million voters

Approximately 9.8 million Greek voters voted Sunday to renew Parliament in an election dominated by the implosion of the old two-party political system and, at the risk of challenging the recovery efforts of countries within the euro area . Under the Constitution, the mandate to find an alliance government is first given to the leading party, before moving on failure to include two, within a period of ten days.

Illustrating the exceptional climate that prevailed throughout the campaign, thirty neo-Nazis broke into Athenian six polling stations during the day, where they have engaged in intimidation against leftist activists, along the minor party far left Antarsya. Police confirmed two incidents, attributed to the small group Chryssi Avghi (Golden Dawn), which entered parliament for the first time in modern history of the country, having obtained between 6 and 8% of the vote according to exit poll .

This neo-Nazi party, long semi-clandestine and known for its attacks against migrants, denounced the MoU signed by Greece with its creditors, and refused repayment of public debt. Entered parliament as a shock in a country that has suffered severely the yoke of Nazi occupation and a military dictatorship from 1967 to 1974.

For Sarkozy, we are "in phase of economic recovery"

In an interview with the newspaper Ouest France, the incumbent stated: "we came out of the financial crisis" and "we are in the process of economic recovery." Incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy (here in Lyon March 17, 2012)

Nicolas Sarkozy, a presidential candidate, says that "we came out of the financial crisis" and that "we are in the process of economic recovery," in an interview with Ouest-France, to be published Tuesday. "I think we came out of the financial crisis, that confidence is restored and we are in the process of economic recovery," said the president candidate, who makes a visit on Tuesday the Guerande peninsula, followed the end of afternoon by a meeting in Nantes.

"What did they say Does peaks between Ms. (Angela) Merkel (German Chancellor) and me! Through these summits, Europe has an economic government overcame the Greek crisis", has he argued. To "reinforce" this situation, Mr. Sarkozy reiterated his proposals: political governance of the Schengen zone to protect its borders, failing which France will suspend its participation in Schengen, creating a Buy European Act for reserving public contracts to companies that produce in Europe, setting up a Small Business Act, reserving 20% ​​of public procurement to SMEs.

Failing agreement, France will only implement these provisions. Western journalists from France who told him that it smelled "the ultimatum", Mr Sarkozy replied: "it does not smell at all the ultimatum, it smells voluntarism (…) The Minister of the Interior German recently told that I had absolutely right and he was asking the same thing. The truth is that if Europe falls back into his through before, it will explode. " "I kept the same values: hard work, effort, merit, responsibility, authority, solidarity", he also said.

"To the great difference in Mr (Francis) Holland (PS presidential candidate), I consider that one can not isolate France and to promise that exempt the efforts that others are doing and ask," he also said. "My plan is to tell the French: you need to be protected. And to be protected, your country must be strong, paying his debts. This is why I will respect the objective from 0% deficit in 2016, "he added.

Nissan and Dongfeng trucks come out of their joint venture

Nissan Motor and Dongfeng Motor Group will split the truck business of their Chinese joint venture for the transfer to the parent of Dongfeng public, paving the way for local production of Renault and Infiniti cars and a possible rapprochement between Dongfeng and Volvo trucks, reported Monday the website sina.com.

The activity of Nissan cars in the joint venture will remain intact, as its agreement with Dongfeng Automobile in small utilities, sina.com said, citing unidentified sources.

The hypothesis of an alliance between Dongfeng and Volvo Trucks is regularly mentioned for years but neither industry has recently reported on the subject. 

To get the green light from Nissan, Dongfeng could allow the Japanese manufacturer to produce its premium brand Infiniti and Renault models as part of their joint venture.

No spokesman for Dongfeng could not be immediately available for comment. A representative of Nissan said the group did not have information about an agreement.

As part of such an agreement, Dongfeng Motor will resume activity heavyweights as of July 1, said article of sina.com. He gives no details on the timing of an agreement Dongfeng-Volvo, nor on that of the production Infiniti and Renault.

Volvo has broken several years ago an alliance with China National Heavy-Duty Truck due to weak sales thereof.

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 ".

Latécoère will hire to meet demand

The aerospace supplier Latécoère will make new hires in 2012 to increase production rates and thus satisfy the growing demand of its large customers are Airbus or Boeing.

At the same time, Latecoere, which employs 4,175 people in nine countries, is still open to industry consolidation.

"We are in a phase of relative privilege where all our customers demand increases in rates," said Francois Bertrand, chief executive of Latécoère at an interview with Reuters. 

Based in Toulouse, the group was founded in 1917, is facing increased rate of production programs Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, while air traffic has increased 6% last year.

"The priority is to manage growth," said Francois Bertrand, adding that the group plans to hire at least 200 additional employees to meet this demand and avoid production delays.

"Currently, the market is booming. The high commands of last year increased its order book and therefore lead to increases in speed. "

Latécoè re projected that its turnover will increase by 10% in 2012, after rising 12% in 2011

. The business, including Airbus accounts for 50% of sales, will continue to expand in North America where it is looking for a new production site. Boeing, the second client (15% of sales, and Embraer) should play an increasingly important Latécoère in the coming years.

Deficit and debt, the company had begun in May 2010 seeking a new shareholder, a search that had failed after the deadline for late 2011.

"In the short term, what matters is the growth management, but the subject of consolidation is still on the table," says Francois Bertrand, adding that an agreement could be reached before the deadline for two to three years announced in November.

"The consolidation will be particularly important in the context of new program launches," he says. 

Latécoère, who has returned to profits in 2010, would merge with one of 15 European OEMs to create a group of at least one billion euros in turnover, Francois Bertrand said.

In 2011, the group recorded a net profit of EUR 6.6 million on a rag business of 520 million euros, while its debt amounted to 370 million, a level that expected to decline by 50 million euros in 2012.

"We returned to a normal situation where our financial resources fit our profile of cash, which was no longer the case from 2008-2009 where large slips were place, "says Francois Bertrand. 

The action Latecoere closed Friday at 11.52 euros (0.17%) showing a market capitalization of 99.187 million euros.

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.

European shares open down, the file weighs Greek

European shares start down sharply Thursday and the euro is at its lowest levels of the past three weeks, European leaders considering to postpone the bailout of Greece, to me then ; me that Athens has agreed to meet the requirements of its funders.

"It seems that the market has entered into reflective mode after strong increases in risk assets, investors re-evaluating the risk / return and revising their strategies," said Chris Weston, institutional trader at IG Markets in Melbourne.

The lowering by Moody's outlook on the credit ratings of 17 major global banks and financial institutions in Europe weighs 114 financial stocks. 

A flurry of quarterly results, particularly in France, leads the market.

The Paris Bourse lost 0.92% to 3,359.32 points in early trade, while the pan-European index Stoxx 50 was down 1.38%.

The German DAX index yields 1.47% and the FTSE drops 1% in London.

The financial and commodities again lead the correction. The banking index lost 2.1%, biggest drop sector in Europe, with auto index, which fell by 1.6%.

In Paris, Societe Generale lost 3.3% after reporting a net profit fall 88% in fourth quarter 2011, due to greater losses than expected in investment banking and financing.

Axa also down, by 3%, after publishing 2011 results slightly below analysts' expectations.

PPR also gives 3%, after announcing a sharp increase in its annual results, driven by the brilliant performances of its luxury brands.

Technip wins 1.9% after announcing a record net profit in 2011, up 21.5%, albeit with a slowdown expected margins in 2012. 

Capgemini (4%) reported a turnover of 9.69 billion euros in 2011 and an operating margin of 7.4% in 2011. The group plans for 2012 organic growth limited to its turnover and operating margin up.

Renault takes 2.2% more confident after having shown that Peugeot (-2.8%), despite a still competitive in Europe.

Investors also expect the auctions of sovereign debt to France and Spain, and a series of U.S. data in the afternoon with weekly jobless claims, housing starts and the producer price.

Wall Street ended up 1.23%, boosted by employment

Wall Street closed sharply higher Friday, boosted by the employment statistics, which in particular led the Nasdaq Composite to register a peak of 11.

The Dow Jones for his part tu a high of four years, while a large number of stocks from the peaks have registered a year.

The Dow Jones took 156.82 points (1.23%) to 12,862.23 points. The S & P 500 gained 19.36 points (1.46%) to 1,344.90 points. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 45.98 points (1.61%) to 2,905.66 points. On the whole week, the Dow gained 1.6%, the S & P 500 2.2% and Nasdaq 3.2%.

The S & P 600 small caps for his part closed Friday's session at a record high of 463.56 points, representing a gain of 2.14%.

The upturn in the U.S. employment continued in January, with the highest rate of job creation observed in nine months, and the unemployment rate fell to , its lowest level in nearly three years, reflecting the impact of growth in the fourth quarter of 2011 at the beginning of new year.

Other statistics published in the day, the industrial orders and the ISM services. Orders to U.S. industry rose for the second consecutive month in December, driven by increased business investment.

The growth rate of services sector in the United States has clearly accelerated in January, while economists had estimated that it would evolve in the same tempo as December , according to figures released Friday by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM).

"This is confirmation of a slow but significant statistics US", says Stephen Wood (Russell Investments), noting that risks remain, however, as the debt crisis in Europe.

The financial sector gained 2.68% and 1.71% of industrial

Values, and therefore against the trend, Estee Lauder loses 2.33%. The American cosmetics group, citing adverse currency effects and increased its advertising spending, announced quarterly forecasts well below expectations.

More than halfway through the "season" results, 60% of the S & P 500 have reported results above consensus, according to Thomson Reuters I / B / E / S.