Top Economics News

The American public and private sectors have hired in April 25% of people below the previous month. A brake that is accompanied by a decrease in trompe l'oeil in the unemployment rate to 8.1%. The unemployment rate in the United States has still not deflated. "They need a job" REUTERS / Jason Reed (UNITED STATES – Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS Civil Unrest)

The controversy over the unemployment figures in the U.S. is not going to stop. The unemployment rate has indeed declined despite a decline in recruitment. According lenquête conducted by the Ministry with companies, the U.S. economy created 115,000 more jobs than it destroyed in April. Or 25.4% less than in March, and a figure lower than the estimate of analysts (162,000). A trend that confirms the investigation of the slowdown in hiring in the private sector alone.

Curiously, this poor performance has not prevented the official unemployment rate to fall by 0.1 points compared with April, amounting to 8.1%, its lowest level since January 2009, according to the Ministry of working. This decline is a surprise since the median estimate of analysts gave unemployment stable at 8.2%. Government figures show that the decline in unemployment has resulted primarily from lower rather marked in the labor force. According to investigations conducted by the ministry of households, the number employed appears to have declined for the second consecutive month, just slightly slower than that of people unemployed.

Cash lenders will loan anything from a couple of hundred dollars to around $1500, which generally must be paid back in full, along with the interest, within two to four weeks.

Lloyds has surprised investors by announcing Tuesday a 36% reduction of its bad debts and a quarterly profit after the loss of 3.5 billion pounds (4.3 billion) realized a year ago.

At midday, the action of the British bank and advanced 2.32% to 31.73 pence while the FTSE 100 London Stock Exchange, the only open in Europe in May 1 , gained 0.24%.

The UK bank has yet announced that it had a fresh supply of 375 million pounds (459 million) in its accounts for the first quarter to cover the reimbursement of customers who potentially overpaid for certain insurance policies. 

Lloyds 40% owned by the State since the 2008 financial crisis, said the increase in provisions in the case of insurance policies had been decided e given the increasing volume of complaints received, echoing comments made by Barclays last week about it.

Last year, Lloyds had already funded £ 3.2 billion for the same reasons.

The group also said that the sale of 632 programmed agencies made little progress, while being pessimistic about the UK economy, fallout recession in the first quarter.

"We think the economy will stagnate this year but it will be a long and difficult recovery. We anticipate a resumption of growth in 2013 and a peak in unemployment of almost 9% early next year, "said Antonio Horta-Osorio, Director General ; ral

. Lloyds bank has cleared the first three months of a taxable income Statutory 288 million pounds over the period, against 316 million the previous quarter

. The largest British settlement in terms of customers reported a level of bad debts to 1.7 billion pounds

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Honda Motor said Friday it planned for the year that has just begun operating profit increased almost three in favor of an expected surge in car sales Asia and the continued recovery of the U.S. market.

The third Japanese car maker turns the page on a 2011-2012 fiscal year marked by natural disasters-earthquake and tsunami in Japan, floods in Thailand-and the strong yen.

For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, Honda expects an operating profit of 620 billion yen (5.8 billion) against 231.36 billion for the one that just ended. 

This forecast is below analysts' expectations, who see a figure of 645 billion yen, but remained optimistic for a reputable company to the prudence of these projections of results.

"The North American market is gradually picking up and we enter into new segments in Asia. We believe that we will grow faster than the market, "said Tetsuo Iwamura, executive vice president of Honda

…… The latter told … see a car market of 14.3 million vehicles in the U.S. this year, against 13.5 million in 2011

… He added that …… Honda, whose sales of the new version of "crossover" CR-V increased by over 25% in the U.S. since the beginning of the year , wanted to join as soon as possible a share of over 10% of the U.S.

. The group plans to jump from 2012 to 2013 38.4% of its global sales of cars, to 4.3 million units and a 10.2% increase in shipments of two-wheelers, to 16.6 million copies. 

For the last quarter of 2011-2012, Honda has reported a jump of 142.3% of operating profit, the production of Japanese automaker is back to normal Aftern ; s the consequences of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan March 11, 2011.

Over the three months to March, operating income stood at 111.98 billion yen (1.05 billion euros), a figure lower than the 123.2 billion average expected by analysts according to Thomson Reuters consensus I / B / E / S.

Net income, which includes the results released in China rose 60.7% to 71.59 billion yen.

Honda is a Japanese manufacturer that has suffered most from natural disasters in Asia in 2011. 

The group has restarted its Thai factory in March after a period of six months.

The CEO of Qatar Airways has expressed interest in studying the case of aircraft developed by countries such as China, given frequent delays at Airbus and Boeing.

Akbar Al Baker, who regularly criticizes two giants of the aerospace industry not to take their time, said Monday that delays of up to three years had thwarted growth plans of carriers in the Gulf region, which now constitute much of the Western demand for appliances.

Qatar Airways has ordered the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A380 superjumbo and the A350, three devices that did not meet delivery dates announced. 

The airline has also ordered smaller devices to 150 seats, as the A320neo. She ordered 50 during Dubai Airshow in November.

Asked if he would consider buying Chinese equipment, Akbar Al Baker said: "Why not? If it is safe, effective, advanced and that it meets the requirements."

The Chinese Comac develops a 150-seat aircraft.

Industry leaders argue, however, it will take at least ten years before China can compete with Boeing and Airbus on larger aircraft.

Sony's new boss Thursday drew the outlines of a recovery strategy includes 10,000 job cuts and a focus on mobile electronics and medical equipment, in hopes of re reconcile the group to profitability despite its difficulties in televisions.

Kazuo Hirai, who succeeded last month in Howard Stringer to the general direction of Sony, has doubled the forecast annual loss of the group to a record 4.9 billion euros and is faced with the daunting task of rehabilitating the brand, trailing Apple's U.S. and South Korea's Samsung Electronics. 

"We heard the many voices calling for change of investors," said Kazuo Hirai before a crowd of journalists gathered at Sony headquarters in Tokyo, not far from the first plant group, opened 65 years ago.

"Sony will change," he promised.

Sony, like its Japanese rivals Sharp and Panasonic, has suffered in recent years a decline in demand for televisions, fierce competition and competitiveness weighed down by the strong yen.

To bounce back, the Japanese manufacturer of consumer electronics said he wanted to strengthen its business in mobile phones, digital cameras and games, while seeking strategic investments in mate ; riel medical and batteries for electric vehicles. 

The group also confirmed press reports that he would eliminate about 10,000 jobs, or 6% of its global workforce, and provisionnerait a restructuring charge of approximately 75 billion yen (705 million) on the current fiscal year, ending March 31, 2013.

Sony also intends to reduce its costs by 60% and 30% fixed operating costs in televisions in 2013-2014.

"We can not shy away from tough choices," said Kazuo Hirai.

BET ON ENDOSCOPES … AND PORTABLE

By focusing particularly on medical equipment, which is booming, Sony aims for 2014-2015 a total turnover of 8,500 billion yen (80 billion) and operating margin of more than 5%.

The inventor of the Walkman and the PlayStation was one of the frontrunners to an alliance with the Olympus medical equipment manufacturer, which owns 70% of the global market for diagnostic endoscopes but whose finances have suffered from a large accounting fraud discovered last fall.

Sony sees endoscopes, it could enrich its imaging technologies, a growing market. He also said he was looking for partners to make batteries for electric vehicles.

"Expanding its presence in the medical field and electric vehicles is a good thing because these activities have better margins and these are areas where Japan has been proven," said Michael One (Beyond Asset Management).

But Sony has also promised to put smartphones in the heart of its turnaround strategy to triple its sales in mobile telephony to 1,800 billion yen over the next three fiscal years. Some analysts see an inconsistency.

"We do not understand exactly how they will adjust their activity in the electronics, nor how they will again create value," said Tetsuro Ii, president of Commons Asset Management.

Sony Ericsson has already bought full control of their mobile phone joint venture Sony Ericsson to strengthen its position in a market dominated by Apple and Samsung. He has since launched its first smartphone, the Xperia range, under the Sony brand.

Prior to these announcements, Sony has the action ended Thursday up 0.86% to 1,528 yen in Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The Group's market capitalization has shrunk by almost 20% over the last month. Samsung is now ten times and Apple – that some Sony executives were considering buying in the early 90 – thirty times.

Arnaud Lagardère, the General Partner of Lagardère, was sold for eight million shares of the group founded by his father Jean-Luc Lagardère.

According to advice published by the Financial Markets Authority (AMF), the shares were sold in five lots between 12 and 16 March. Arnaud Lagardère has sold 346,653 shares, representing 0.26% stake in media group.

Prior to these assignments, Arnaud Lagardere held directly and indirectly 9.62% of Lagardère, or 12,610,893 shares, as the group's annual report in late 2010.

These sales of securities came as the sovereign wealth fund Qatar Holding is mounted to the capital of Lagardère in its interest to 12.8% against 10% previously. The Qatari fund since December is the largest shareholder group.

"The sale of shares made these days on behalf of Mr. Lagardère held as part of the unwinding of a financing package set up by BNP Paribas in 2004 to opportunity of settling the estate of his father and under the relevant contract ", simply commented Lagardère in an email to the press.

"Mr. Lagardère has signed, as such, a term of disposals programmed, September 30, 2011 and including the AMF was informed," says the company. "The declarations of leadership assignments are made directly to the MFA by the operator."

Lagardère, which owns a 7.5% share in EADS, has suffered a heavy loss in 2011, 707 million euros due to massive writedowns past ; are about sports.

This diversification, considered strategic by Arnaud Lagardère, ended last year with an operating loss of six million euros, after sales performance below expectations, loss of several contracts and litigation.

Qatar has raised its stake to 12.8% stake in Lagardere and intends to seek a position on the supervisory board of the media group, we read in a notice published Monday by the Authority ; financial markets.

Qatar Holding said hold 12.83% stake in Lagardere. society, which belongs to the sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Autority, said it had also surpassed the 10% voting rights, 10.05%.

She added that it reserves the possibility to further increase its stake in the company but said not wanting to take control.

However, it indicates it intends to seek a position on the supervisory board and "talk to all interested actors, as appropriate, in light of strategic partnerships to create value in ; long-term shareholder, with the stipulation that there is currently no specific plans in this regard ".

Inflation rebounded 0.4% last month after falling in January. Blame the price of energy, those of fresh products and services.

The consumer prices fell by 0.4% in January in France, they bounce from 0.4% in February. This gives an inflation rate of 2.3% a year, said Tuesday the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). The indicator of underlying inflation, that is to say non-price (volatile petroleum products, fresh produce …) and administered prices (electricity, gas, tobacco …), however, has shown steady to 1.4% yoy.

In fact, the origin of the rebound in February lies partly in these volatile products. The pursuit of higher energy prices has thus resulted in an increase of 1% last month (7.8% yoy), in the wake of rising crude oil prices. This rise has affected the price of fuel (1.3% in February and 8.5% year on year) and those of liquid fuels (4.1%, 16.1%).

Fresh products also recorded a rise unevenly high (3.0% against 1.3% in February 2011; 0.2% yoy). These increases were particularly concerned vegetables (+8.7%). The particularly low temperatures have indeed affected the production and delivery of products.

Excluding fresh food, the food prices are increasing is only slightly (0.2%, 4.4% yoy). The price of spirits has continued to grow (1.9%, 5.8% yoy) and taxation of soft drinks has affected the prices of soft drinks, juices and syrups (0.9%, 8.5% on a year). Ultimately, food prices rose in February by 0.6% and 3.8% year on year.

Service prices are also victims of seasonal increases. Totaling an increase of 0.5% last month (1.6% yoy). With winter school holidays, accommodation holiday surged by 30.8% (5% yoy), while package holidays are appreciated by 9.8% (0.8%). Automobile insurance also rose by 2.6% (2.8% yoy), tolls and parking of 1.8% (2.5%), the Clean Water 0.8% ( 5.8%), distribution of 0.4% (2.8% yoy) and nursing homes by 0.3% (2.7%).

Prices of manufactured goods remained virtually unchanged, however (0.1%, 0.7% yoy). Excluding tobacco index of consumer prices rose in the same way from 0.4% in February (+2.2% yoy) and, seasonally adjusted, it rose 0.1% ( 2.3% yoy).

This decline

Conversely, price decreases were observed on the "other networks" (-2.9% -2.5% yoy) and telecom prices (-1.3% -7.6 % year on year).  

Among manufactured goods, clothing and shoes were flat (+1.7% yoy). Bedding rose 3.1% (7.7% yoy), perfume and beauty products by 0.6% (2.0%) and watches, jewelery, gold 1.7% (12.1%).

Promotions were the cause of the decline in new car prices (-1.4% +0.8% yoy). As for the price of pharmaceuticals, they fell again (-0.7% -1.7%) as those of Photographic and cinematographic equipment (-1.1% -13.9% yoy) and audio-visual (-0.5% -13.1% yoy).

The luxury group PPR has formalized the appointment Wednesday of Hedi Slimane as creative director of fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati where it will replace, standing ovation Monday when presenting his latest collection of scratched e YSL.

Hedi Slimane and found the house in which he led the men's fashion from 1997 to 2000, before knowing the glory at Dior.

The designer will now assume responsibility for the overall artistic YSL brand and all its collections, PPR said in a statement.

Along with these new features, Hedi Slimane continues his photographic career.

Stefano Pilati was artistic director of Yves Saint Laurent since 2004.

Like all luxury brands, YSL has signed a particularly brilliant year 2011. Its sales have taken off from 31% to 353.7 million euros and operating profit quadrupled to 41 million euros.

As with many other brands, profitability was driven by the success of its leather goods, more profitable than the loan-to-wear.

When the direction of the steel giant still does not guarantee the works council restarting blast furnace site, the steelworkers maintain pressure. The "blockers" ArcelorMittal has lit a big fire burning before the plant Florange.

Employees who require restarting blast furnaces Florange dormant for several months, occupying part of the site since February 20. This Friday, they were evicted by the police when he blocked a railway line, an operation of glazed jostling between the police and the steelworkers who sang the Marseillaise while shouting "Thank Sarko".

Find pictures in the fight to save the ArcelorMittal Florange

Meanwhile at the headquarters of ArcelorMittal France in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), the management assured the unions that the maintenance of a blast furnace Florange would start "very soon", but without mentioning an upturn in the sector hot site. In a statement, management has confirmed "the temporary suspension of part of its facilities Florange for the second quarter due to the difficult economic environment". "Two million euros will be allocated to additional maintenance work to ensure that the liquid phase can restart in the second half in anticipation of an economic recovery," she said.

This Thursday, Nicolas Sarkozy said on France Inter that the P6 "in the second half would go back" after revealing he had the day before a meeting with Lakshmi Mittal, CEO of the No. 1 global steel industry. But ArcelorMittal had conditioned this boot an economic recovery. The presidential candidate said it had obtained a number of global steel industry that invests 17 million to safeguard Florange.

Find our survey to find out what the ads are really worth of Nicolas Sarkozy?

In any case, unions are skeptical. Further reading: "The promise of Sarkozy, it's cat pee."