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"A phone call to serve," says UFC-Que Choisir. And when he "suffers indeed an antenna problem," he has little chance of getting favors from the influential consumer association. "While Apple has not fixed the problem other than offering a hull, we can not recommend the terminal," she decided, in an article published Tuesday on the Internet. Consumer Reports, its equivalent in the United States, had reached the same conclusions in early July.

Since then, responses have poured on specialized sites, questioning the UFC-Que Choisir on the accuracy of its benchmarks and its independence. Asked by lefigaro.fr, the Consumers' Association said that its tests are not conducted internally, but "by independent laboratories, according to strict protocols."It'sa huge investment, which requires very expensive equipment," explains Camille Gruhier, author of the article, which boasts one of the "strongest battery of tests" of the press.

So this device as the iPhone has faced four. "In the best case, the sensitivity of the device is better than previous versions," admits Vincent Erpelding, engineering project manager in the UFC-Que Choisir. But a sharp drop in sensitivity of average conditions for receipt, Edge and 3G has been "recognized and quantified, since the phone is held by the left flank around a small black border, his weak point .For this reason, the phone will no longer star in sensitivity in the test published in September in the magazine of the association, and will be decommissioned behind all its competitors.

"We have warned the consumer"

In his defense, however, since Apple says that two weeks all smartphones are affected by a problem identical reception. But other phones, hand-held around their antennas, are much better than the iPhone 4. To ensure this result, the UFC-Que Choisir has tested two other handsets, the Nokia N85 and the iPhone 3G in similar conditions. The numerical results show each time a "small fall" of sensitivity in contact with the antenna, but not in the same proportions as the iPhone 4.

For now, the consumers association has not tested the new phone from Apple by surrounding it with a shell, or by varying the power of the network.Additional tests should be published on the Internet. Apple says the problem arises more in areas where coverage is poor, and would be resolved by adding a protective cover. "The network in Europe is much more successful than the United States. The problems and the risk of making calls will be far fewer, "said Camille Gruhier.

If the UFC-Que Choisir concedes qualities in the iPhone four, including ergonomics, picture and sound, it claims to be in her role does not recommend to his readers. "The choices we made the choice to downgrade is a warning to consumers. You can not tell people that the iPhone is fabulous four, while in some circumstances, they may see their dropped calls, "argues Camille Gruhier. "I do not think that our ranking will drop Apple's sales, but have warned consumers," she concludes.

Everyone needs health insurance today. This is because of the ever rising costs of hospital bills and medicines. Not all insurance policies can be applied to our needs.

New twist in the drama of the French ship Financial. As stated Wansquare, Saade family, owner of CMA CGM, has initiated discussions with the Belgian billionaire through its capital increase required by the creditors of the group. These negotiations were still preliminary notified to the Commercial Court of Marseille. Brother Albert is not alone. He would lead the discussions in partnership with another French investor.

In this tandem plus the Strategic Investment Fund (ISF) has always said he would participate in this capital increase valued at approximately $ 750 million. Qatar Holdings, which in turn has made an offer earlier this month, would not be totally ruled out by Saade.

The CAC 40 would he find his way? In any case, this suggests that his continued positive territory by mid-morning, up 0.64% to 3623 points after opening down 0.13% to 3595.66 points.

Elsewhere, the same trend. The London Stock Exchange, which opened down 0.37%, is now up 0.15%. The DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, which had also started the session on a decline of 0.27% is now 0.39%. The Madrid Stock Exchange, where banks are under pressure as explained in the El Pais newspaper in its edition today, regaining ground with a fall of 0.16% against -0.54% in early trade.

The waiting game surrounding the publication of results of stress tests of European banks calls for caution investors. On the currency markets, the euro back a bit against the dollar, under $ 1.29.

Volatility will be the point common to all European trading sessions this Friday.

Asian markets have been chosen more strongly green this morning. Yesterday, U.S. markets have done a great meeting at which time the Dow has gained almost 2%, relatively insensitive to the announcement of a surprise increase in weekly unemployment registration.

Consumption of French decline

In terms of macroeconomic statistics, the session looks very calm. No major indicator is expected in the United States.

In France, the French household consumption of manufactured goods fell 1.4% in June after the previous month was supported by purchases of televisions before the World Cup, according to figures published by INSEE before the opening markets.Throughout the second quarter, it shows a decrease of 0.9% after falling 1.9% on the first three months of the year. Analysts on average expected a rise of 0.2% in June

INSEE also believes that the request to industry has increased significantly in the second quarter but is expected to decline in the third. The balance measures the views of industrialists on the past evolution of aggregate demand was 9 in the previous survey in April to 17 in July, and 4-14 for foreign demand.

In Germany, business climate has improved significantly more than expected in recent weeks. The Ifo index rose to 106.2 against 101.2 in June (revised from 101.1 in estimating intials) last month. Economists and analysts had expected decline to 101.6.

TF1 jumped after its results

The stress test, however, occupy the banking sector.BNP Paribas (-0.60%), Societe Generale (-0.84%), Credit Agricole (-0.36%), Natixis (BPCE. -0.39%) or Dexia (-0.39%), remain cautious.

Moreover, the markets will again this session to analyze several quarterly publications:

TF1 (4.83% to 12.27 euros) announced before market advertising revenues up 11% in the first semester for a total turnover of 1.28 billion euros, above consensus. Net income group share was 74 million euros over the period. The objectives are significantly revised upward with a turnover in 2010 rose by 7% instead of 4%.

STMicroelectronics (-2.30% to 6.58 euros) reported Thursday a profit above expectations at 18 cents per share, with sales up 27% to $ 2.53 billion.Analysts on average expected a profit of 14 cents per share and a turnover of 2.513 billion dollars.

Pernod Ricard (-1.56% to 63.11 euros) a statement on Thursday its forecast annual operating profit thanks to the improved economic environment and its position in emerging markets. Its turnover in 2009-2010 emerged, up 2% on a comparable basis.

Ubisoft (0.65% to 7.02 euros) issued a turnover up 94% in the first quarter of 2010-2011 to 161 million euros and confirmed its objective of a sales draft 160 million for the remainder of the year.

BioAlliance Pharma (5.29% to 5.77 euros) announced a record turnover of 15.2 million euros in the second quarter against 1.5 million a year earlier, after recording in April in U.S. Loramyc, headlight treatment of fungal infections in patients with oral cancer or AIDS.

As for ads, Alstom (1.80% to 37.83 euros) said it had won contracts valued at about 450 million euros for the construction of two units for a combined cycle power plant in India.

Air Liquide (-0.40% to 86.43 euros) announced Friday the signing of a new contract with Russian steelmaker Severstal for investments worth 50 million euros in total.

Legrand (-0.61% to 25.06 euros) Thursday announced a takeover offer for Indo Asian Switchgear India, where he produced nearly 4% of its annual turnover after the acquisition.Indo Asian Switchgea aims for 2010 sales of more than 35 million euros.

Maurel et Prom (+0.24% to 9.42 euros) announced Thursday it had increased to approximately 70 million euros the amount of its issuance of convertible bonds to five years following the full exercise of the option overallotment.

As usual, Alcoa starts the ball results in the United States. And the least we can say is that it starts well. For the second quarter, the U.S. producer Alcoa aluminum in the green came back in the second quarter, with net income of $ 136 million, against a loss of $ 454 million a year earlier, and praised the "prospects excellent.

The turnover reached 5.187 billion dollars, well above the 5.02 billion forecast underlying the market.

Consumption of aluminum prospects up

"The growth of our revenues and our earnings due to higher volumes of end markets and gains from our productivity program," said CEO Klaus Kleinfeld said in a statement issued after-hours trade .He added: "The outlook for Alcoa and the aluminum are excellent.

The group also said it had received during the period April to June, in addition to higher volumes and productivity improvements, favorable currency effects and a reduction of energy costs, which more than offset a slight reduction in selling prices.

"Given this improvement in final demand, we are raising our projection of consumption of aluminum 10 to 12% this year" in the world, "he concluded.

At the New York Stock Exchange, Alcoa has lost the action Monday at the close 0.64% to 10.87 dollars in a market up 0.18%.

lefigaro.fr / jdf.com – The announcement of the aid plan for the euro area has given way to a new period of pessimism. In this context, how you position yourself on the shares of the euro area?

Matthew Grouès – We are clearly overweight on European equities for the simple reason that we believe that growth prospects are not worst four months ago. The markets have overshadowed the recent economic statistics suggest, however, believe a sharp upturn in Europe in the second quarter.

For a month and a half, markets follow a path contrary to that they should follow since the last published indicators: the series of nine sessions up in mid-June was made with deceptive statistics, particularly retail sales and the U.S. real estate.Unlike the sharp drop in early June took place in spite of very good publications on the ISM manufacturing and job creation. But it is true that today it is mostly good statistics that go unnoticed. It's a classic situation in the tops of cycles, markets do not allow the bad news and low cycles, they close their eyes to the good news. The crisis of 2008 is still in the minds of investors.

So much so that markets fear a simultaneous "double dip" (recession followed by recovery and then a new relapse, Ed) and a return of inflation. What is unthinkable. This proves that markets are in crisis of confidence and they evolve in a logical flow sellers rather than a fundamental logic. And to overcome this crisis of confidence will take time.

But the crisis of confidence in the euro area it is not it paradoxically favor?

It is true that mistrust vis-a-vis the euro favorable to European companies. The decline of the euro offset the restrictions inherent in the plans rigor. All countries in the euro area will clearly not accommodated in the same boat. So, for those who have taken a severe restrictive measures such as Spain or Greece, the balance will be negative. But for others, the impact on growth will be close to zero. It seems that the markets have rediscovered that the euro is a currency like any other. It's a currency shared by several countries. This inevitably creates a certain fragility and justifies a risk premium.

So you are betting that the European companies will catch up on U.S. companies?

Absolutely.European companies have to suffer the restrictions imposed by states, compensated as I said the decline of the euro. In contrast, the U.S. will be doubly penalized: first, that says depreciation of the euro said dollar, so a handicap to competitiveness for U.S. companies. On the other hand, said that restrictive measures in Europe, said reduced demand from Europe.

It is true that the shares are not expensive in all markets, but if U.S. stocks were gaining 10% to 20% in the twelve or eighteen months, the increase should be between 20% and 30% for European equities. Europe contrary to what they say is absolutely no more defensive than the United States. The proof of this statistic: Since 1996, the EuroStoxx amplified movements of the S & P 500 twelve years in fourteen.And two years where the reverse happened, it was during changeovers cycle.

According to a study OpinionWay, 50% French do not have stock and have never held. Furthermore, 66% of them justify their choice by the risk profile of the action. In other words, they are afraid of losing money. What do you think?

I understand their weariness regarding the volatility of financial markets and they prefer to invest in money market products they do not risk losing money even if they do not relate. Incidentally, this is symptomatic of the mindset of investors. There is such excitement in the markets that investors prefer not to lose money rather than win. But they must understand that the only time they have an interest in shares, it is precisely when everyone else shuns.Focusing on the assessment that the actions have on others is not the best indicator.

Also, do not overestimate the impact of financial markets on the real economy, and thus justify the real evolution of financial markets. It is often said that markets anticipate a six to nine months ahead of the changing economy. But this is not always true. The evidence: In 2009, the savings came out much faster from the recession that markets had expected.

I know this may seem surprising but it is precisely now that they must invest in risky assets.In addition to actions, we are positive on the credit for the economic recovery remains favorable and the spacing recent spreads (spread between a corporate bond and government bond, Ed) be reversed.

Five months ago, you bet on an ACC 40-4600 points by the end of the year. This bet is it still relevant?

I think for this year will be a bit complicated. However, I would very surprised if it does not exceed 4000 points. The current level of ACC 40 is not consistent with the economic situation is relatively good: it would be justified if we knew another recession within one year, but I think absolutely not.

Macroeconomic reasoning to 12-18 months also clearly suggests that markets are highly appreciated.Whenever Will it materialize? Hard to say! The market movements often snap on a "spark" a good economic figures, redemptions of "shorts" (the investor buys back the shares it had sold short, Ed), publication of results, etc. . The question is what will this time that "spark" and when it will happen.

The Federal Reserve took action Wednesday in a hesitant economic recovery in the United States by renewing its commitment to keep rates unusually low for an extended period. The Fed funds rate has been maintained in a range from 0% to 0.25%, which it has not budged since December 2008.

In his statement issued after a two-day meeting, the central bank is lowering its assessment of the pace of recovery, revealing pockets of weakness. It also is cautious about the volatility of financial markets, given the debt crisis in Europe. But she still insists that the economy will emerge gradually from the worst recession it has seen in decades.

"The financial support under the overall economic growth, which mainly reflects what is happening abroad," the Fed said in its statement.

The Fed President Thomas Hoenig, Kansas City has expressed its disapproval for the fourth consecutive time, holding that the commitment of the Fed to keep rates ultra low long could perpetuate a cycle of alternating periods of high growth phases and depression.

Realtors Falters

The Fed also notes that the economic recovery is underway. But short of what she observed in April, when she said that the economy continued to strengthen.

The monetary authorities have also noted a slowdown became evident in real estate. In April, it was noted that one starts to straighten. On Wednesday, they simply say that these starts "remain at a depressed level. It is true that the indicators are really not good. On Wednesday, new home sales for May fell 32%.This unprecedented decline in new home sales in May reduced to little hopes of a speedy resumption of growth.

As for consumer spending, the central bank said they "are increasing but remain constrained by high unemployment, modest revenue growth and a decrease in the rich heritage." In April, the Fed had referred to an acceleration of these costs.

The Fed also notes a recent slowdown in inflation, citing a drop in prices of energy and other resources.

Most economists believe the next move on interest rates will be higher but some of them say the central bank should consider other ways to boost growth and credit. What must be added the problems of the debt in Europe and the employment indicators also disappointing.

Surprising as it may seem, the purchasing power of French households has increased more during the recession of 2009 than during the previous year. Very specifically, the increase was 1.6% last year, against 0.4% in 2008, according to figures from INSEE. Unemployment forces, incomes have barely increased in 2009 (1%). But inflation has settled down, which has given fresh air to the household budget. With a decline in oil prices and food prices, prices of consumer spending fell 0.6% in 2009, when they rose 2.9% in 2008 payday loans.

Concerned by the crisis, the French preferred to save the additional resources, including by placing life insurance. The savings rate has reached 16.2% at end 2009. Consumption has it, plus a small 0.6%. The scrappage boosted purchases of cars (+8.3%).The French bought mass televisions, went to the movies more but have less clothes and bought train tickets and plane.

Optimism on the air. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 230 airlines companies accounting for 93% of global air traffic, has revised upward its net earnings forecast for the sector, saying it would return to profit this year , thanks to his efforts to "reduce costs and restructuring, but also to promote economic recovery.

The association now expects the world's airlines recorded a profit of 2.5 billion dollars in 2010, she said during his meeting in Berlin on Monday. In March, it expected a loss of 2.8 billion. With a loss of 9.4 billion, 2009 was the worst year the industry has experienced.

Strong rebound in air traffic

"The global economy out of the depths of the financial crisis much more quickly than expected.The airlines benefit from the strong rebound in traffic and back into the green, "said IATA Director General Giovanni Bisignani. "This is the first profit since 2007," he said. According to the association, air traffic is expected to jump by 7.1% this year.

Consequently, the total revenue the airline expected to reach $ 545 billion in 2010, against a forecast of 522 billion last March. A performance well above 483 billion recorded in 2009, but always below the 564 billion revenue in 2008.

"We thought we would have at least three years to make up for the loss of 81 billion (14.3%) of revenue that we suffered in 2009," said Giovanni Bisignani, saying the airline industry has found "his levels before the crisis "at 75%.

Europe alone in the red

The Director General of IATA has bolted not yet.With a margin of 0.5%, "we are far from sustainable profitability," he warned. Especially as the expected improvement is not concern the industry as a whole. "Europe, with a weak economy, is the only region to be in the red with losses of 2.8 billion, has again warned the general manager.

Giovanni Bisignani, director general of IATA, in Berlin. Photo credits: AFP

Less than a year after coming out of bankruptcy, the American General Motors seems on the road to recovery. The Detroit group has returned a net profit in the first quarter for the first time in nearly three years to 865 million. "This is an incredibly important step. We are very far from where we were last year, "said Chris Liddell, chief financial officer of manufacturer on CNBC. GM had continued to accumulate losses in 2009 and had received nearly 50 billion dollars of government support in total.

The improvement in the first quarter, according to the group, mainly due to higher sales (turnover is up 40%), combined with cost control. GM was robbed of four brands including eight in the United States, leaving only Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC and Buick. The group emerged from bankruptcy in July, eased some of its debts.He completed repaying $ 6.7 billion in loans from the U.S. and Canada in April. The U.S. Treasury still holds 61% of capital.

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Catastrophe! The verdict of the experts gathered yesterday on behalf of the Health Authority (FDA) on Naproxcinod NicOx is clear: sixteen votes to one against, they voted against the authorization for the U.S. market for treatment cons osteoarthritis.

If the FDA ultimately decides the approval of a drug in the United States, the Advisory Committee constitutes a notice of weight, especially when it is so decided. The agency should make its decision before July 24 next.

But already, the hopes were so meager that the actions d?grindolent Stock Exchange Thursday, while trading in securities listed in NicOx 9:00, after being suspended Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. at the request of the company. At the close of the Paris Bourse during the uncoupling of 44.53% to 2.9 euros.On Tuesday, the day the group announced this biotechnology application to stay the course, the shares had already fallen from 28.37%.

Total, in three sessions, NicOx has lost more than half its value.

The continuation of the project Naproxcinod compromised

The President's Advisory Committee meeting Wednesday, Dr. Kathleen O'Neil, summarizing the conclusions of the Advisory Committee meeting, said extant 'enthusiasm about the potential of naproxcinod but that additional data from additional studies on job security would be needed, "reports the group in a statement.

This single sentence has made it clear to investors that the case is wrong party.According to analysts at Natixis, the American drug agency should provide to NicOx a "Complete Response Letter" means not permitted, requiring further study to clarify the gray areas of the record, particularly in terms of job security product.

Now "option to initiate studies on the long term is virtually impossible for NicOx," according to them. This would require large patient populations over periods of several years of testing, an expensive option that NicOx should not continue, they said. Natixis is passed directly on Thursday morning of the recommendation to "buy" to "ease".

A big blow for NicOx, which had very high expectations of this product across the Atlantic.Analysts said the potential of the drug could reach 1.3 billion euros of sales at the peak of sales, in 2017.

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