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Among the threats to U.S. debt and the beginnings of a sovereign contagion in Europe, investors await first the responses of States to end the unbearable uncertainty. Therefore, the announcement of the holding of an EU summit Thursday and the speed with which Italy passed an austerity plan of 47 billion euros should focus the attention of operators.

By construction, the stress tests conducted by the EBA (EBA) based in London could only disappoint. While the market test, to gauge moves in risk premiums and other diving banking stocks, the scenario of a collapse of the euro, the banking supervisor did not have policy space to go very far this path.Therefore, the 11.5 billion euros of writedowns of sovereign debt simulated by 90 banks under scrutiny seem meager 194 billion against their commitments on debt accumulated state of Greece, the Ireland and Portugal. Not to mention Spain or Italy. By this standard, too, the 2.5 billion euro recapitalization needs highlighted Friday for the European banking sector border on the ridiculous.

Analysts at Credit Suisse quickly corrected this and submitted sovereign exposures of banks, published an exhaustive Friday, at their own assumptions discounts: 50% Greece, 35% Ireland, 30% Portugal, 10% on Spain and 5% on Italy.These calculations on a small sample of 49 banks show 45 billion euros of capital inadequacy! But – and this is reassuring – the "holes" always concern the banks of the countries in oxygen tent. Domestic banks in Greece, Ireland and Portugal are, in fact, between 61 and 67% of the loans of their country of origin.

Two "Lehman year"

If the credibility of the EU suffers from a fiscal laxity apparent on the front of the State debts, however it is particularly harsh on other aspects. Cumulative, testing the assumptions made in simulating the equivalent of two years similar to 2009, the post-Lehman, cost banks some 400 billion euros of provisions, plus 352 billion of additional costs of refinancing.

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In the world of weight loss, it is called "Dukan effect." Far from referring to the weight loss of the followers of the method of Dr. Pierre Dukan high protein, the term refers to the earthquake has caused its rapid success in the market regimes.

"Since launching our website in 2008, 500,000 people have used our services," says the Figaro.fr Eric Levasseur, CEO of RégimeDukan.com, online service to support the regime. This figure does not however say how many customers are currently active on the site. To achieve this, the entrepreneur says he has not spent a dime on advertising. Media coverage and the very important word of mouth was enough. In addition, this success is due to an unbeatable price on the market, to 18 euros per month. In comparison, subscribe to premium services of Jenny Craig costs 380 euros per month, those of Weight Watchers, about 40 euros per month.

Three ingredients

Otherwise, the business model is based on Dukan a classic recipe with three ingredients. First, the publication of a book, "I'm not losing weight," bestseller in 2010. Then, offer coaching as a service fee. It is the function of RégimeDukan.com held by Marc Simoncini, Meetic founder, Eric Levasseur and children of the inventor of the method.

Last element of the strategy, products "house" manufactured under license, such as oat bran. "The 25 food products we offer for sale are regularly out of stock", says Eric Levasseur. The sale of meals, also proposed by Jenny Craig, has been tested since 1973 in France by Weight Watchers, the history of the area. For the latter, "the business of licensing products represent only a few percent of revenue," says her manager Corinne Pollier France.

The success of Dukan has not stifled competition. Instead, he seems to have created a renewed interest in France for the plans. Thus, Weight Watchers France announces "growth for two years" and has 120,000 active customers in early July. Jenny Craig brand, launched on the market in early 2010 by Nestlé hexagonal, celebrated for its part, the 10,000 th customer in late June. "It's beyond our initial objectives, ensures the boss of France's premium brand, Erick Moreau. We hired over 30 people since early 2011 and now have over 100 employees. "

Booming sales of surimi

Dukan is not only limited effect on the market methods of diet (500 million euros of turnover, against 5 billion for the sector of thinness at large). It also causes a tidal wave less visible in the food products that "light" generated 1.5 billion euros.It's simple: all the foods recommended in its method Dukan turn into gold. The turnover of surimi has enjoyed a double-digit growth in recent months. Sales of fresh cheese (fromage blanc in particular) grew by 14.5%, according to the specialist market research SymphonyIRI.

Still, with the recent controversy about the effectiveness of the regime and the disappointment of Dr. Dukan court, the effect will last Dukan he? "The ruling will not affect our business. The public is not fooled, says Eric Levasseur. We record even a 30% increase in registrations in the first half of 2011. "

Some competitors, however, fear side effects. "The media effect Dukan has cast doubt on the effectiveness of all plans," laments Erick Moreau.Others, like the union's general secretary of dietetics, Jean-Loup Allain, relativize: "For 30 years I have been in the business, plans star there was every year. Dukan has simply replaced the previous ones. "

Dukan is the world

With its success, start-up runs on equity and did not have to organize a capital increase from an initial one million euros. Its international expansion is also financed his own money, said Eric Levasseur. Closely following the launch of the book "I'm not losing weight" in these markets, RégimeDukan.com is being launched in Russia, China, Poland, Germany. It has been online for one month in the United States. In addition, it is already present in Spain, the UK and Italy.

At the same time, Dukan is recruiting 10 persons in Russia, fifteen in the United States.In total, the start-up has between 30 and 40 people abroad, in addition to its fifty employees in France, plus thirty in the rest of Europe.

The catastrophe of Fukushima has not cooled the ardor "nuclear" in Finland. Three and a half months after the accident on several reactors in Japan, the electrician Fennovoima officially launched a tender to build a new plant, which will be the sixth of the country. Four are already operating, while the fifth, Olkiluoto 3, the site is controlled by the French group Areva, will enter service in 2012.

The same Japanese Areva and Toshiba are the two groups identified by Fennovoima to participate in the tender whose outcome is expected for 2012-2013. The dual French-Japanese technology will also be a clash between the pressurized water reactor, the EPR, proposed by the European company, while his opponent defends an Asian model for boiling water, the ABWR.Both show a roughly similar power.

It's been exactly one year that Finland has launched the process to build new nuclear generation capacity. In July 2010, two electricians, TVO and Fennovoima have been authorized by Parliament to build each plant bad credit pay day loans. Since then, Fennovoima has selected two sites to host this facility. Meanwhile, the group sifted through the different reactor technologies before choosing the respective models of Areva and Toshiba.

Three years late

For TVO, things are a little different. The tender for an additional reactor is not yet launched, but the first Finnish utility is already working with Areva as operate the Olkiluoto 3.Incidentally, the fact that Fennovoima has chosen to confront the French technology Toshiba shows that the Finnish authorities have not focused too much on the delay of the Olkiluoto site. This effect will be delivered in three years late, while the bill has almost doubled to 6 billion euros, against a budget of 3.5 billion initially.

But it must be said that the catastrophe of Fukushima had beneficial consequences for the EPR. Its high level of security has become a very significant advantage.

– Manage the post-Fukushima

The renaissance that nuclear power seemed to promise, in the world, there are a few more months, will she be? Areva had put in a position to be a key player in the expansion of civil atom, only controlled and profitable alternative to fossil fuels and "clean" in CO2 emissions which is more. The French group and hired some 12,000 people each year to keep pace expected of its business.

Since 11 March, the situation has changed dramatically: Germany, Switzerland and now Italy, have decided to end their civil nuclear program. India, with firm orders for new reactors was expected before the summer, will surely prolong his reflection. Anne Lauvergeon refused to believe in a "nuclear winter".For her as for other supporters of the atom, the policy decisions taken today as the heat of the moment can be questioned tomorrow.

For now, the international development of Areva is at stake in the coming months, all the nuclear installations in Europe will be reviewed. Although the terms of these "stress tests" are still being defined, Areva will necessarily be at the forefront. Like Anne Lauvergeon, his successor will have to become a diplomat of nuclear power, both to reassure his interlocutors on the safety of this activity and convince them to pursue an effective dialogue with the French group.

– Restore the finances of the company

For a long time, critics of Anne Lauvergeon stigmatize poor operational management of the company and its finances in jeopardy.In 2010, the company has also accused an operating loss of 423 million euros and the rating agency has become mediocre. The group also suffers from having camped on his credo of "vertical integration", to the point of purchase, too expensive, its own uranium mines, which now require large investments. Finally, the action Areva is listed in this form since May 30, has lost nearly 15% payday loan companies.

– Pacifier relationship with EDF

Relations have never been easy between the two companies, they have become abominable between Anne and Henri Proglio Lauvergeon, CEO of the utility since the fall of 2009. Regularly called to order by the state, their shareholders to both, the two companies to work together STRIPS sentenced last fall to formalize a strategic partnership.

All aspects of collaboration are concerned, the supply of uranium to the reprocessing of spent fuel, to building new reactors. But the various working groups have not yet yielded any conclusions. Again, the management of Areva will be watched around the corner. Luc Oursel will be on a narrow track of restoring harmonious relations with EDF, without appearing the vassal.

Seen from the Elysee, the issue is crucial because it is to harmonize relationships within the French nuclear industry to win export contracts. Without compromising the ability of Areva to sell only his skills to other electricians global EDF's competitors.

– To service the Finnish EPR

It's really cursed the site for Areva. The new generation of reactor Olkiluoto 3 should have been operational in 2009. It will not be before 2012.His bill, expected around 3.5 billion euros, has appreciated by 3 billion euros, lead accounts Areva. The company – which has staked his credibility by taking on the project management of this project – no longer has the right to make mistakes. The EPR is the cornerstone of its international development. And it is that Luc Oursel return the task to make a successful export, arguing its assets in terms of safety.

At the same time, the new leader of the nuclear group will tackle the launch of the TDD, a new medium-power reactor that. Through this case is the ability of the company to expand its portfolio of facilities that will be tested.

While EU leaders try to reassure financial markets by removing any idea of ​​restructuring or default, the rating agencies to drive endless Greece. Moody's after the Ascension, Standard & Poor's downgraded three notches note of Greece on Whit Monday. And what a month after having been lowered by two. Another two notches and the country would be in default. "The deterioration reflects our opinion that there is an even higher risk of one or more defects," the agency said in a statement, while the debate rages over the possibility of restructuring the public debt of Greece.

S & P believes that, as part of a restructuring of the Greek debt, the private sector (banks, investment funds, insurers), drawn on, would be faced either a "trading securities" or an "extension maturities.Such operations would be considered "as a failure" by the rating agency, and in this case, it could assign a note to Greece even lower, relegating it to a situation of partial default.

Standard & Poor's stressed, however, it could stabilize the country's rating to "CCC", if the euro zone was a solution that does not correspond to a default under its criteria, even taking into account the risk of debt restructuring "in the form of a discount" by 2013.The U.S. rating agency added that Greece can not go on the financial markets in 2012 and "probably later", as agreed under the Emergency Plan supported by the EU and IMF for the country .

This did not cause further deterioration of sharp declines in U.S. stock markets, Wall Street still showing slight increases: 0.23% to 11,981.28 points and the Dow Jones + 0.18% to 2648.30 points for the Nasdaq. Credit rating agencies have not yet won their showdown. Meanwhile the reactions of financial markets on Tuesday.

The digital adventure continues for Madame Figaro. This Friday, the magazine will launch the i-mad 2, the second issue of the magazine free interactive proposed on the Apple tablet. A second edition promises to be "ever more chic, shock and surprise."

As with the previous i-mad 2 will use technology developed by Adobe Digital Publishing Suite, a first in France in the world of magazines. This solution, used in particular by Wired magazine in the U.S., will control the process of creating content across a chain of production."A technology that delivers high-impact interactions such as panoramas and 360 degree spins," said a statement.

This month, the magazine will feature interactive "all these women who have the keys change hands" through a selection of articles of Madame Figaro, rich content and interactive videos. This special issue will draw such a portrait of Lady Gaga and propose a new meeting with Georgia May Jagger. Visitors can also explore the rising French actress photos, immortalized by Cedric Klapisch or unpublished portraits by Peter Lindbergh.

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Greece must provide more work and results, said the French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, who put pressure on Athens in an interview with Austrian daily Der Standard to be released this Saturday.

"Greece must deliver results and why the country must do more than during the last twelve months," said Christine Lagarde, whose name is mentioned as a successor to Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head the IMF.

Asked about her refusal of any debt restructuring, Christine Lagarde said: "We already gave Athens more time to repay its loans in the euro area is already a concession."He continued: "It is legitimate that we expected that Greece will make its share of work."

"We do not want a state of bankruptcy"

The French Minister of Economy recognizes that the Greek government has done things, "but there are still areas where things are moving too slowly", referring to privatizations. "Either Greece delivers results, then we can imagine additional help.Otherwise there is the question of how Greece is ready to play the game for its own bailout, "said ministre.Et further emphasized:" What we certainly do not want, c 'is a state of bankruptcy, a default in Europe ..

While the Greek Government discusses the rise in unemployment generated by the austerity plan, the minister reminded the unemployment rate in Spain, according to her superior to that of Greece, but where "the country still does its job, saved and managed to turn around. "

Challenge to implement a program

The rating agency Fitch, meanwhile, lowered on Friday noted the long-term debt of Greece to three notches. This is a new blow to Athens which also saw its borrowing costs on market reached a new record.Fitch lowered the rating of BB + Greek + to B, referring to the "challenge" for Greece that is the "implementation of a program of structural reform and radical tax necessary to ensure the solvency of the state and the foundations of sustained economic recovery "in the country.

"New fiscal austerity measures are necessary" to achieve that Greece's budget deficit target of 7.5% of GDP in 2011, said Fitch. The agency suggests including poor tax revenues and difficulties in implementing a privatization program.

Greece also saw its cost of borrowing on the markets at a record Friday, the rate of its ten-year bonds exceeding 16.7%. Sign that investors fear that Greece is not able to honor its debts.

The Greek prime minister said his country would repay its entire debt."We will refund the loans," said George Papandreou, whose country was granted last year a plan to help the EU and the IMF amounting to 110 billion euros to avoid it default.

But many observers believe that Greece will avoid a major restructuring of its debt, meaning pay creditors later or less than expected. But the European Central Bank precludes this scenario.

In the wake of Fitch, another rating agency S & P has for its part lowered by one notch the rating of the long-term debt of the Crédit Agricole to 'A +' cons 'AA-' before, because of its exposure Greece."We believe that the French banking group Credit Agricole is particularly prone in Greece, because of the issue of solvency and the economic outlook" of the country, particularly through its subsidiary Emporiki, S & P said in a statement.

(With Agencies)

The natural disaster that shook Japan on March 11 and caused a serious nuclear accident in history, affecting badly the Japanese utility Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO). The company reported a net loss record 11 billion euros (1.25 trillion yen) on Friday morning, well above the 9 billion expected by the Japanese press. It is the worst deficit recorded by a Japanese non-financial group. The earthquake and the tsunami have paralyzed much of its central activity based in Fukushima, a city northeast of the country now known worldwide. For more than two months in fact, at least four of six reactors on the site are stopped. Before the event, Tepco expected a net profit of 1 billion euros.

Another important announcement this morning by Tepco: Masataka Shimizu's resignation.It must be said that his handling of the crisis has been sharply criticized in Japan and the rest of the world. Particularly for its lack of transparency in the first moments following the disaster. He will be succeeded by Toshio Nishizawa, the current CEO of the group.

State utilities and banks to contribute

The future already looks difficult for TEPCO. The operator had to call for help from the Japanese government. In a request sent on 10 May at the Japanese government, the third largest producer of electricity in the Archipelago evokes an immediate need 8.7 billion euros. Very quickly, the Japanese government has responded, putting Tepco under its control and disclose its financial rescue plan."The purpose of this plan is not to bail Tepco, said Friday the Japanese Minister of Economy, but to ensure that victims are compensated properly," he commented.

TEPCO has indeed compensate the 85,000 victims of the nuclear accident payday advance. A bill that could total between 25 and 43 billion euros, according to local press. Thus the state ensures that dip into its funds and requires the efforts of other private electricity companies in the country. Even banks will tighten their belts: they have provided a loan of 1.4 trillion yen (11.7 billion euros) to Tepco are asked to waive a portion of their claims vis-à-vis the operator .

For its part, TEPCO must, of course, participate in a pinch.The group will include transfer of financial assets and properties in order to concentrate its resources on the production and distribution of electricity. In addition, the eight most senior executives of the company will also waive any compensation and personnel managers to ordinary workers, will also undergo substantial pay cuts.

In exchange, Tepco falls again

This Friday morning in Tokyo, the title has finished Tepco small increase of 0.54% before the results are published in the group. Since, in trade-off meeting at the New York Stock Exchange, the action Tepco listed on Wall Street tumbles 9.6% and is only worth 4.45 dollars. So since March 11, the title collapsed by 83%. Investors, cooled the past two months, do not see Tepco bounce soon.While its nuclear activity has melted, the group had to increase production at its thermal power plants to continue to supply the population. However, this has a cost of hydrocarbons, which could cost another 8.7 billion uros on the current tax year.

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This had not happened for a month. The CAC 40 closed on Monday below 4000 points, among others penalized by bank stocks. Investors worried about a new crisis on the debt of the euro area after the arrest of the International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

Futures on the CAC 40 fell by 0.62% to 3965 points.

Monday night, Wall Street has ended the session down in response to the publication of indicators revealing the fragility of U.S. recovery.

The Euro continues Tuesday

In the absence of corporate results announcements, the index will evolve with ads that will be made following the meeting of EU finance ministers to discuss particular mechanisms of financial aid in the euro area. On the issue of Greece's debt, the Europeans are divided.Bank stocks will be well to follow, they have lost an average of 1% on Monday.

On the macroeconomic front, the new car registrations in the European Union fell 2.7% annual rate over the months from January to April, according to figures released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (Acea).

United States, are scheduled starts of dwellings in April (14.30) and industrial production in April (15.15).

On the currency markets, the euro rose slightly against the dollar, from 0.16% to 1.4183 dollar.

Energy stocks under pressure

On the corporate side, investors will be interested in energy stocks that should suffer from the decline in commodity prices.

Bouygues raised slightly on Monday its goal of annual sales after a first quarter marked by a rebound in activity but penalized at the net contribution by Alstom.

Vivendi announced Monday it had obtained signed with a syndicate of 17 banks a new line of credit totaling € 5 billion that will allow it to optimize the management of its bank debt at the time of the acquisition of the 44 % of SFR held by Vodafone.

Publicis buys U.S. digital marketing agency Rosetta for at least $ 575 million – the agreement provides that an additional payment may be made in 2014 to Rosetta in the case of good performance over the period 2011-2013.

Carrefour wants IPO for its real estate assets

During its Investor Day being held in Paris from 9:15 Carrefour will confirm its intention to IPO for its real estate assets, Carrefour Property.The group, which confirmed target growth in turnover and operating profit this year, said the demerger of its business Dia discount stores, whose IPO is scheduled for July 5, will be in the shape of the distribution of a dividend.

Gecina announced Monday that it planned to file a proposed buyout offer followed by a squeeze on the shares of its subsidiary Gecimed, a property company dedicated exclusively to the medical real estate which it owns 98.6% of capital .

All for it! A great stir launched by Laurent Wauquiez triggers an uproar, followed by a double crop, ministerial and presidential primary. But a few days later, means a whole different story. François Fillon Laurent Wauquiez has criticized the "form", but acknowledged the need to "correct" the RSA. And Roselyne Bachelot, who on Monday denounced the "About counter" in the mouth of his government colleague, merely validating the more moderate course, diagnosis shared by all governmental experts: the RSA does not work .

"This system is not perfect and needs improvement. This is a horribly complex. It must be simpler, "said Minister for Solidarity. The Minister of European Affairs has lanced the boil.The initiative is very cavalier but Sarkozyist in mind: to generate debate on a subject which will now cleaving the heart of the presidential election.

Since the Elysee prepares a balance sheet of five years, the RSA is an embarrassment, even if the plate issued by the Presidency of the Republic for the fourth anniversary of the class number of successful reforms. Should he be praised for showing that the government can boast of a true social balance? You run the risk of exasperating his electorate that is notched on all subjects assistantship. Should we criticize, pointing to its shortcomings?

Crisis forces, the RSA is not increased in intensity. Departments have struggled, together, to put in place. The record is disappointing.And Nicolas Sarkozy, who was given carte blanche to Martin Hirsch, came back the promises of the former High Commissioner of Solidarity.

A "disappointment"

Last Friday, Nicolas Sarkozy himself acknowledged before some guests of the evening that the RSA is a "disappointment" because he "does not fulfill the function" for which it was designed. Several employees Elysian find elsewhere, for several days that the RSA was "a bad system." Even Jean Castex, deputy general secretary in charge of social issues, slid in front of several elected officials as the "RSA does not correct the RMI but amplifies it." He likes to cite the example of supermarkets, which are not hiring more part-time because it makes employees eligible for RSA. "As a result, employers have an incentive to pay only partial activities," said Castex.This means that Wauquiez had some support when he opened a gap on this subject.

Now, everyone understands that the assistantship in general, and the RSA in particular, should enter the debate of the presidential election. Whether it is local aid, of individual housing, the earned income tax or unemployment benefits – by far the most generous in Europe, particularly for executives – these benefits will be evaluated. First, during the debate held on this subject by the UMP June 8 Then during the mission's findings Marc-Philippe Daubresse on RSA.

"We have two solutions. Or we're like 80% of the countries that surround us, that is to say nothing, because generalized social benefits are the only true French specificity. Or do we tip of a support system to a delivery system, that is to say, aid in exchange counterparties.Only the second solution seems feasible, there is little confided to Le Figaro a close adviser to the Head of State. The Elysee, who thinks of course the debate of 2012, reflecting on different tracks. For example, the idea of ​​a "welfare reduced based economic growth," says this adviser.

But another near the head of state calls on him "a fierce fight against abuse", without questioning the entire system, on behalf of national cohesion.

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