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Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, candidate to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn to the IMF, is also his campaign on the net, via Twitter. "Follow my campaign for the-post of Managing Director of the IMF," she writes in the introduction to his account @ lagarde_imf.

For now, 243 "followers" can thus keep track of time use of French. A figure that is expected soon to increase, most ministers have a twitter account is followed by several thousand people. Since last Wednesday, his account has been opened just before formalizing his candidacy – the Minister has published 46 twits (short message) alternating French and English payday loans. We learn as she lunched today with Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega and with the Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil, Alexandre Tombini.

Sunday during the broadcast of Jean-Pierre Elkabach on Europe 1 – during which the atmosphere was "studious," says a post – al least not twittered about ten times to keep fans informed.

Christine Lagarde also take this new kind of forum to defend the matter Tapie "arbitration was the least bad solution to put an end to Tapie affair," she wrote this weekend.

The minister listed a dozen groups, but for now, she does not follow any …

The tax reform of heritage, to remove the tax shield and develop the solidarity tax on wealth (ISF), was discussed Wednesday by the Cabinet. The bill marks the final disappearance of the tax shield, yet highly symbolic as the beginning of the quinquennium of Nicolas Sarkozy, who eventually disappeared under the pressure of repeated criticism from the opposition but also of the majority.

In contrast, the solidarity tax on wealth (ISF) remains in place, but in a lighter version. The reform will indeed allow some 300,000 taxpayers whose assets ranged between 800,000 and 1.3 million euros, to escape this tax.

The government relies on a passage of the bill no later than early July.The text will be submitted to the National Assembly in early June and will be accelerated procedure, which allows only one reading per room. The reform will apply from 1 January 2012.

The tax cap took effect on 1 January 2007. It was capped at the time the taxes (income tax, wealth tax and local taxes) at 60% of revenues. After the arrival of Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee, the threshold was lowered to 50%.

(With AFP)

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"There is no concern for supplies." The CEO of Total, Christophe de Margerie, before an audience of patrons of the oil and gas gathered Tuesday in Houston for the conference Cera Week, has hammered its reassuring message. "Saudi has the capacity to address the lack of Libyan production," added the French boss.

While across the Atlantic where gasoline exceeds the psychological threshold of four dollars a gallon in several states, the votes are increasing for the Obama administration draws strategic stocks. Christophe de Margerie replies: "These stocks are made for real shortages. Using them would send a signal to markets of fear. "

Invited to give a broad picture of the oil interests for years to come, the CEO who shows the greatest benefit of the CAC 40, with 10.2 billion euros, was less confident for the medium term."We can worry about our ability to increase production" of oil to meet rising demand, driven by emerging countries. However, investment in exploration and production suffers from the uncertainty room basically said de Margerie. And "the situation in the Maghreb does not make things easier, others" Libya "can occur."

Total up on Russia and Brazil remains cautious

Total particularly focuses on the Russian far north to secure its supply as evidenced by the recent acquisition of 12% of Russian producer Novatek independent for 4 billion. However, Total is not ready for the moment to invest heavily in another region of the world reserves underwater very promising: Brazil. The Brazilian Petrobras does not sufficiently profitable, said de Margerie."Petrobras is understandable if the returns are not as good as U.S. Treasuries that it is not worth going there."

More unexpected from a pattern of "Big Oil" as it means the world of big oil companies, Christophe de Margerie has a clear call to "reduce demand" for oil. Which can come only in developed countries, "a better use of energy." A logical conclusion because in a world of growing uncertainties, Christophe de Margerie said it was hard to bring the world oil production, currently at 86-87 million barrels per day in excess of 95 million barrels per day.

Cancellations will travel faster than the revolutions themselves Arab. While the wind blows still timidly revolt in the Middle East, several of them noted a sharp drop in hotel bookings.

Jordan in particular, several sources said that cancellations had reached 50%. A tour operator confirms that in 3000 tourists who booked a trip in the coming months, 1200 had already annulled. Jean-Francois Rial, CEO of Voyageurs du Monde, a leading tour operator in France, also referred 50% of cancellations to the country. This situation is particularly worrying for a local economy where tourism represents 14% of GDP, with a turnover estimated at one billion dollars in 2010.

Syria is no exception.Ghassan Chahine, owner of Naya Tours agency in Damascus, said he registered 35-40% cancellations for peak tourist season which runs from March to May, mainly by Europeans. The Syrian Minister of Tourism Saadallah Agha al-Qala, has been forced to revise downward its objectives: "We do not expect an increase of over 11% to 12% of the number of tourists" against an average annual growth of 15% since the early 2000s.

"All in the same bag"

Tourism professionals in the Middle East denounced the confusion in the minds of Western tourists. "They are influenced by media coverage and put all countries in the Middle East in the same bag, do not differentiate one country from another," said Nabulsi Touhami, office of tourism in Jordan. Tourists have canceled their trips to all Arab countries. "

Jean-Francois Rial, "people are more worried about what might happen in other countries than those where the revolution is over. Is that King Abdullah will not jump, do as the king of Morocco does not have a problem, as Hu Jintao? ". Ghassan Chahine agrees: "People tend to think that the revolts are taking place across the region."

Hopes

Despite their concerns, industry professionals want to believe in an imminent improvement in the situation. "The perception of people change very quickly. It does not take much time before the booking for a country not resume, "says Sean Tipton of the Association of British tour operators.

Until the fears subside, tour operators could, like the Maghreb, betting promotions.Marmara, the leading destination Tunisia is already seeing the success of its offer a "pay for a given": "We found in March the level of bookings last year, with 8000 departures scheduled within a month," explained Le Figaro Florian Vighier, its director general.

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After a session of ups and downs, the leading index is rising again in Paris on Friday, gaining 0.26% in early trade at 4071.19 points. Yesterday, Wall Street has ended on a high note. For their part, the Asian financial centers are all clearly trending up. Despite rising pressure on the price of a barrel of oil, investors should follow the trend. The publication of results, generally of good quality, also maintains optimism.

Oil prices resumed their upward movement on Friday morning, the market doubts that Venezuela's proposal to find a solution to the crisis in Libya could succeed, analysts said. Libyan oil production has fallen by half because of the violence sweeping the country, announced Thursday the head of the government oil company NOC (Libyan National Oil Corporation) Shukri Ghanem.This morning, a barrel of light sweet crude gained 45 cents to 102.36 dollars. That of Brent North Sea was up 21 cents at $ 115.

On the macroeconomic front, all eyes should be turned to the U.S. this afternoon are expected when two important indicators that will give an overview of health status across the Atlantic, namely the employment figures and unemployment for the month of February (1430) and industrial orders for January (1600).

The euro at its highest in four months

As for currencies, the euro rebounded sharply against the dollar and the yen after ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet, hinted he might raise the rate by the European institution. At its monthly monetary policy meeting, the ECB has maintained, as expected, the rate at 1%.But the President has adopted to the press a very firm tone about inflation, stating that "strong vigilance" was needed.

Last night, the euro climbed to its highest level in nearly four months to nearly $ 1.40. Around 23 pm last night, the euro bought 1.3965 dollars against 1.3867 dollars on Wednesday at the same time, after climbing to 1.3974 dollars, a level unprecedented since Nov. 9. The European currency also climbed against the yen at 115.08 yen against 113.50 yen late Wednesday, after peaking at 115.15 yen, its highest since early November.

Areva more confident for 2011

Legrand – 4.95%, to 28.79 euros

Wendel (+ 2.91%, to 74.63 euros) jointly yield and KKR, as part of an accelerated placement, 40 million shares, or 15% stake in specialist electrical and digital infrastructure of the building.Yesterday the share closed up KKR of 1.61% at the New York Stock Exchange, to 1.61%.

Areva: 4.77% to 35.15%

The nuclear group has accused an operating loss in 2010, mainly because of a provision for the construction of the EPR reactor in Finland, but the specialist's public nuclear aims to grow its business in 2011. The Chairman of the Executive, Anne Lauvergeon, also said that the group did not need additional funds, especially after its capital increase to finance its development.

Hermes International boosts results

Hermes International: 1.09%, to 153 euros

The luxury group has announced an annual net profit up sharply from 46% to 421.7 million euros while its operating margin reached 27.8% of sales, "Best recorded performance by the group since its entry into scholarship in 1993, "says the label.Operating income also flies from 44.3% to 668.2 million euros. Sales, already known since early February reached 2.4 billion euros. The group psoposera a dividend of 1.50 euros, 1.05 euros under cons of fiscal 2009.

Eurotunnel: -2.03% to 7.17 euros

The operator of the Channel Tunnel was charged last year with a net loss of EUR 57 million which he attributes largely to the lack of insurance payments related to operating losses after the fire 2008. The dividend is still maintained at 4 cents, and management stated that if the recovery appears to be confirmed, it should remain as progressive segments. Eurotunnel expects its passenger traffic increase of about 3% in 2011.

Veolia Environnement: -1.61% at 22.63 euros

The company said net income fell slightly by 0.5% for annual sales up 2.5%.It aims to increase its recurring operating income 4 to 8% in 2011 by continuing its program of cost reduction (250 million euros of savings anticipated in 2011).In addition, 1.3 billion euros of asset sales are announced for the current year.

Ingenico: 1.94%, to 27.89 euros

The Grou announced its successful bond issue of 220 million euros, could be increased to 250 million, ocean-type.

IMS: 2.40%, to 15.36 euros

The group suffered an operating loss in 2010, a year marked by heavy charges, particularly related to the reorganization of the group and disposals of non-strategic stocks following the acquisition in July of Jacquet Metals.

EADS: 0.43%, to 19.86 euros

The parent company of Airbus, is close to deciding not to challenge the award of contract to Boeing $ 30 billion for the supply of tankers to the U.S. Air Force, said Thursday Sources familiar with the matter.The European aerospace group could announce the decision on Friday, putting an end to a battle of ten years on this contract.

Crossroads: – 2.4% to

The supermarket group has seen its vice president resign on March 1, due to disagreement with the strategy, according to the Tribune. For its part, the boss of the distributor, Lars Olofsson announced it would deploy its Carrefour hypermarket concept Planet throughout Europe from April.

Societe Generale

Lebanese Canadian Bank (LCB), a private Lebanese accused the U.S. of laundering money, will merge with Societe Generale said Thursday the governor of the Lebanese Central Bank, Riad Salameh.

Note that the calculation of the new composition of the CAC 40 was left unchanged the 40 companies included in the calculation of the benchmark index in Paris.Moreover, the general meeting of shareholders of Euro Disney could be an opportunity to learn more about the reasons for the surge in prices in recent weeks, including rumors of a capital input of a new shareholder.

Barely a year and a half years after the adoption of the law Bachelot, called "hospital, patients, health territories", the Senate was considering a bill Thursday by Jean-Pierre Fourcade, which provides patches. Except surprise amendment, the text will delete two measures are considered "vexatious" by independent doctors' unions, like Nicolas Sarkozy promised in December.

The obligation to declare a holiday to regional health agencies (ARS), intended to allow better organization of the OOH, go to oblivion, replaced by a statement to the Council agenda for possible trouble finding a replacement. Also reworked the contract health solidarity. He was asking (many) doctors in inner cities to come in regular reinforcement of their (few) colleagues suburban or country, or face a fine of almost 3000 euros per year.This penalty disappears, and a "standard contract" is negotiated between Medicare and medical unions, each ARS can decline and sign with the doctors – volunteers only.

Operation of tinkering

Small hole in the freedom of settlement, the original contract health solidarity was the main innovation of the law Bachelot cons medical deserts. But since Nicolas Sarkozy has launched an operation to tinkering with the doctors and reiterates his belief that "coercion does not work high risk personal loans." He prefers to stick to the incentives, including scholarships for medical students committing to practice a few years in sub-dense area.

Portrayed by Xavier Bertrand, the change in line had actually been initiated as early as mid-2010 after the defeat of the right region, his predecessor at the Ministry of Health.Roselyne Bachelot was "bracketed" the two controversial measures before their entry into force, saying it was not the author but they were the result of parliamentary amendments to the Act – amendments that were, however, … The law supported Fourcade, discussed in a semicircle desert, must also create a "society Interprofessional ambulatory. A similar regime of civil society means, intended to foster the creation of "houses multidisciplinary" containing various health professions, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists … The session ended Thursday night before the majority of articles were reviewed. The Senate will then resume after the summer recess, reading the text, which will then be sent to the Assembly.

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The Paris Bourse ends in a narrow green, having increased its losses to 14.00, a victim of publications of macroeconomic indicators disappointing overseas. The CAC 40 closed end up 0.02% to 4152.31 points, after a day marked by the publication of company results. The benchmark index in Paris marks a break on Wednesday after hitting its highest since September 2008.

Lack of conviction also on other major European markets. At the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 rose symbolically, from 0.03% to 6087.38 points and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the Dax fell back from 0.12% to 7405.51 points.

Since Thursday, the macroeconomic news was mostly American, with the U.S., consumer prices have risen more sharply than expected in January.Larger increase than expected also for the weekly jobless claims, which rose from 385,000 to 410,000, against 400,000 expected by economists.

The composite indicator of economic activity, which anticipates the situation in the United States within six months, has also slowed sharply in January, according to the Conference Board, which bodes however still a continuing growth in addition Atlantic. Over a month, it rose 0.1% against 0.8% in December and 1.1% in November.

The only good surprise, the index of manufacturing activity from the Federal Reserve of Philadelphia (Philly Fed) has largely beaten the consensus in February to $ 35.9 against 19.3 in January, its highest in seven years (January 2004). Economists expected a virtually stable at 20.9.

In France, the number of start-ups fell by 10.2% in January compared to December, with a marked decline in self-creations outside contractors, INSEE said Thursday.

On the currency markets, the euro against the dollar resumed on Thursday, traders digesting mixed indicators in the United States, following cautious comments from U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). Around 17:30 in Paris, the euro bought 1.3603 dollars against 1.3570 dollars late Wednesday.

On the corporate side, nine companies published on Thursday morning.Reactions to the Paris Bourse were divided: five were up (Capgemini, PPR, TF1, Schneider, Technip) and four declined (Eramet, BNP Paribas, Axa, Pernod Ricard).

TF1 takes advantage of the recovery in advertising market

Capgemini: + 5.71% to 42.13 euros – the largest increase CAC 40

The consulting group Capgemini and Computer Services posted Thursday a net profit in 2010 increased 57% to 280 million euros forecast for 2011 indicating a growth in turnover of between 9 and 10%.

Alcatel-Lucent: + 1.08% to 3.57 euros

Alcatel-Lucent is confident about its prospects in the U.S. this year, based on significant contracts with major operators in the country, Verizon and Sprint Nextel, told Reuters his director of the Americas.

PPR: + 1.90% to 115.35 euros

PPR has reported an annual net profit up 1.4% to 965 million euros, while its turnover in 2010 rose 7.5% to 14.6 billion euros. The distribution group and luxury is confident to achieve this year's financial performance than those of 2010.

TF1: + 2.95% to 14 paperless payday loans.81 euros

TF1 double its annual net profit to 229 million euros thanks to the upturn in the advertising market. The group chaired by Nonce Paolini expects a stagnation in sales 2011, after it rose 11% in 2010.

Schneider: + 2.56% to 118 euros

Schneider Electric has published on Thursday a net profit doubled in 2010 to 1.7 billion euros.The group targets a growth of 6 to 9% this year, a margin which improved to reach 15 to 15.5% in 2011.

Lagardère: + 0.98% to 33.40 euros

Canal + France said it had registered Wednesday its core document with the AMF, to an IPO in Paris on 20% of its capital owned by the Lagardere group.

Eramet: -3% to 268.35 euros

The mining group has annual net profit of 328 million euros against a loss of 265 million in 2009 thanks to growth in emerging markets and strong sales growth in the fourth quarter, "he said Thursday.

BNP Paribas missed market expectations in the fourth quarter

Pernod Ricard: -3.78% to 67.96 euros – the largest drop CAC 40

The wine and spirits group Pernod Ricard said Thursday net results in increase in the first half of its fiscal year offset.

Axa: -2.01% to 15.66 euros

The insurer Axa in 2010 recorded a net profit of 2.749 billion euros, down 24%, affected by special items related to divestitures in the United Kingdom, according to a statement released Thursday.

Technip: + 2.11% to 74.44 euros

Technip table for this year on a turnover of about 6.5 to 6.7 billion euros and an operating margin Subsea (subsea infrastructure) above 15%.

BNP Paribas: -0.61% to 58.614 euros

2010 net earnings of the banking group was up by 34% to 7.8 billion euros.However, BNP Paribas has missed market expectations in the fourth quarter, after a depreciation in its accounts unexpectedly on its stake in Axa.The number one European bank in its wake other banks: Credit Agricole, which publishes Thursday – yields 0.98% to 12.09 euros and Natixis – which reports Friday, February 25 – was down 0.50% to 4 , 14 euros.

Societe Generale said Wednesday that profit climbed above expectations of 0.23% to 51.236 euros

Alstom: -0.29% to 42.88 euros

The European Railway Agency in March will make its technical opinion on the circulation of new types of trains through the Channel Tunnel, which will build review the Franco-britaninque responsible for settling the case, said Wednesday Thierry Mariani.

Scor: + 0.19% to 20.94 euros

Scor announced Wednesday the sale of its fixed annuity in the United States to Athene Holding for 55 million dollars (40 million).

Saft: -0.62% to 27.84 euros

Saft has announced an acceleration of its business in 2011 but a slight margin decline due to one of its plant projects in the United States.

Icade: -1.35% to 80.95 euros

Icade intends to continue the service sector of its activities with delivery over the next several years of its pipeline projects valued at 900 million euros.

After market, Eutelsat will publish its first half results.

Public broadcasting is not easy, especially when we want to dust off a collective thirty years old. According to law, on February 7 in the evening, Radio France has submitted to the social partners, the draft collective agreement for journalists and the stepping for technical and administrative staff. These documents take a consultation that lasted nearly a year and a half. These texts were negotiated thirty-five days in total, and received a week's replay. Alas! This morning the Inter round the house refused to sign a document which it considers "flawed". She also asks to have as France Televisions an extension of discussions in a fortnight. The social partners have expressed their reluctance both wage than on the protection of employee rights.A petition is currently shipping with 700 journalists.

For its part, the management of Radio France considers that the text provides sufficient progress for it to be validated. Management hesitates between the continued discussions or apply unilaterally, and as she would be entitled to a number of provisions of this new agreement.

All parties are sticking to their positions because they know that the collective agreement of Radio France serve as a reference to France Televisions in the negotiations which should start from the month of March due to union elections last Tuesday

In the evening, giving the new association will be made public.And France Televisions will have until June to find a compromise.

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The European Central Bank reveals his fears about the consequences of the bailout of Irish banks. In an opinion paper (position paper), the institution considers that the allocation of funds to support the Irish banking system could undermine the European financial system and penalize liquidity injections by the ECB. The establishment led by Jean-Claude Trichet made and expressed concern about the risks incurred in supporting countries in the euro area in difficulties.

In fact, the ECB wonders if she has assets of sufficient quality to offset the funds that it will never be paid by Irish banks.The ECB has in fact allocated to nearly 136 billion euros in special loans and 45 billion in emergency loans to Irish institutions payday advances.

In addition, at the height of Greek and Irish crisis, the European Central Bank has released the heavy artillery to rescue countries in the euro area in which the difficulty level of sovereign debt have risen sharply, by buying securities directly from debts. Since May, the ECB has repurchased nearly $ 72 billion of government bonds.

The ECB also decided Thursday to increase its capital to 5 billion euros to raise 10.76 billion in three stages which will premiere on December 29.

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For his last press conference before the end of the year in Brussels, Nicolas Sarkozy has delivered an impassioned plea for the euro, referring back to back two potential presidential candidates: Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Marine Le Pen . The former because it was observed that the response of European leaders to the crisis of the euro is probably inadequate to meet market pressures. The latter because it calls out of the eurozone.

While Europe is trying to present a united front to reassure investors, the warning of "DSK" had more qu'agacé the presidential entourage. "To say that markets are faster than the European, for sure," replied the French president in response to warnings from the IMF chief.By swallowing the commentary Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the mere "evidence," Nicolas Sarkozy has also suggested that "DSK" was undermining the EU's position is already precarious. "When there are computers that take orders in a few nanoseconds, and that people in the markets following the short term and indulge in speculation," he continued, it is obvious that markets are always ahead. "

Economic government

After this development to the attention of pet polls for the 2012 presidential election, Nicolas Sarkozy responded to a question on statements sovereignists Marine Le Pen, who wants a way out of the euro."When one handles such ideas, we are not responsible and not reasonable! The euro is at heart of European construction, there were fifty years of efforts of visionary political leaders to build peace, "said Nicolas Sarkozy with gravity. "Who can believe that France would be stronger? France has a debt, imagine what would happen! "He pressed, citing the risk of soaring interest rates in case of devaluation.

Nicolas Sarkozy's plea was nevertheless accompanied by the reassertion of a hobbyhorse of France: the need for a European economic governance. "We should go further to say in the euro zone convergence of economic policies," he said, referring to the joint statement with Angela Merkel in Freiburg last week."We should work towards establishing an economic government for the euro area," Sarkozy continued. This means, in short, it will "address the competitiveness gap" between countries. He immediately said it would not result only from efforts to reduce deficits. "There is a policy of innovation and research, harmonization of the status of universities" which are other possible runway, said Nicolas Sarkozy.

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