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The main unions of pilots, stewardesses and stewards have issued a strike notice for four days starting Monday. Air France has said it already able to provide over 80% of its flights. Of passengers at the information board on flights at Charles de Gaulle

French unions aviation, including pilots of SNPL and the main organizations of hostesses and stewards, confirmed Friday their strike call from 6 to 9 February to oppose a bill regulating the right to strike in this sector.

Air France plans nonetheless provide at least 80% of its flights. But warns that the percentage may be reviewed depending on the number of employees that arise at work, they are not forced to declare strikers.

For its part, EasyJet does "no major disturbances" on its flights despite the strike call.

In addition to the pilots and flight attendants, federations FO, CFDT, UNSA and CGT have the air, after an inter-union, called the staff of companies and their service providers to mobilize. The bill "has been hardened to the Assembly and the government does not want to negotiate, the National Council of SNPL therefore confirmed the strike on Friday from 6 to 9 and decided it would be renewable, either directly after 9, or at another time, "he told AFP Yves Deshayes, national president of the SNPL, the main pilots' union, super-majority at Air France.

"In the action via other means"

"At the Inter, after our board meeting, it's the same with a strike from 6 to 9, and a few different versions according to the unions," said Yves Deshayes. "The three main trade unions of PNC (flight attendants), the SNPNC, the Unac and UNSA also call from 6 to 9, "said the driver. "The strike is held from 6 to 9," also said Franck Mikula, president of the Unac (CFE-CGC) at the conclusion of the Inter.

The SNPL said that among the ground staff would go on strike and some others would be "in action via other means." "We call for the strike in all French airlines, in metropolitan and overseas territories" , said Yves Deshayes.

Sales were flat compared to last year and prospects by the end of the operation on February 14 are bad. Winter sales, January 2010

Sales of the first half of the winter sales are stable, but the figures hide wide disparities in the types of stores, and prospects by the end of the transaction on Feb. 14 are "brittle" in the context of crisis. The French Fashion Institute (IFM), which refers, on Tuesday released the figures of the first two weeks of sales, traditionally the most active of the operation, lasting five weeks. On average, "it is not extraordinary, but it's not a disaster," said Gildas Minvielle, head of the Economic Observatory of the IFM, recalling that in 2011, the first half had balances resulted in sales between 0 and 1%.

For circuits, the figures are still "quite mixed," with a "bonus" to some shops downtown, he notes. Stores called "popular" category which essentially network Monoprix, sign the best performance with sales up 10% to 15%. Department stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets other retailers and mass market chains (which sell both clothing man, woman and child and are often on the periphery or Kiabi as La Halle) show an increase between 0 and 5%. But sales of independent multi-brand and specialty channels (type H & M, Zara …) fell between -5% and 0%. "The outlook for the remaining weeks of sales are weak" and 48% of Distributors expect a negative activity, says the IFM.

For their part, traders are more or less satisfied with the first two weeks of sales. – "Balance not good for the moment." Malls display an attendance close to last year (+0.3%), while revenue rose "in the order of 1 or 2%," according to Jean-Marie Silberstein, managing director of National Council of Shopping Centers (CNCC). "The purchases cheap work well in times of crisis, the consumer is on the lookout for bargains," said he. Side e-commerce, the sector federation announced for the first week sales jumped 14% (18% for sites mainly textiles).  

"Some of us are happy, others less," said Bertrand Morvan for his part, Chairman of the National Federation of clothing (FNH, independent). "We do not necessarily sold large pieces, perhaps does one sell from now with the cold snap. I think it will not be such a bad thought it," he predicts. "Cool weather will surely boost some sales, especially large pieces," added Jean-Marc Genis, president of the Federation of brands of clothing (FEH), which unites the chain, whose sales fell to about 2% over the first half. Francois-Marie for Grau, chief representative of the French Federation of ready-to-wear, "the record is not good for now".

Involved "essentially the problem of purchasing power experienced by consumers." Evidenced by sales of low end, suffer the most, is he. He also cited "the climate problem", with a cold came late, and the rise to power of "floating sales, promotions, private sales, and prices crossed on the internet." The Secretary of State for Trade Frederic Lefebvre said Monday in As part of the event Passion Commerce's decision to entrust a mission Crédoc on the issue of balances, balances floating, promotions, sales and private sales, said its services. This is to take stock, three years after the Act of modernizing the economy (LME), which governs the system of sales and promotions, and to determine whether changes are needed.

Wall Street should end the year 2012 on a moderate gain, despite the risks posed by the debt crisis in the euro area in global activity and a U.S. growth likely to remain sluggish, according to a Reuters poll published Thursday.

Analysts surveyed are however optimistic about the economy of the United States and many are in stock price ratios of estimated earnings (PER) historically low a supporting factor for the rating.

All concerned, however, the debt crisis in Europe, who falter world stock markets in recent months.

The Standard & Poor's 500 benchmark for fund managers, should finish next year on an increase of 7.5% to 1340 points, compared to the closing of nearly 1.

The Chinese government will send next year a delegation of Chinese investors in Europe to acquire companies. Nicolas Sarkozy and Hu Jintao in Beijing, April 28, 2010. French President visited China for the inauguration of the Expo.

The Chinese government will send next year a delegation of Chinese investors in Europe to "buy European companies," said Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming, quoted Tuesday by the newspaper Global Times. "China wants to invest its large trade surplus and will not hold billions of dollars that depreciate," said Chen Deming Monday at a conference in Beijing."We are prepared to further open our market, for example the financial sector, but other savings should in turn be more open to our place," he said, always cited by the Global Times.

The paper does not specify the countries that the Chinese delegation will visit, or the composition of the delegation, or the amount or nature of such acquisitions. China holds huge reserves, which exceeded the end of September 3200 billion. She had invested the same date of $ 1.148 billion in U.S. Treasury bills while according to experts, it holds more than 550 billion sovereign debt of European countries.

Vilmorin confirmed on Tuesday its full-year after a first quarter marked by an increase of 5.9% on a comparable turnover, particularly due to the field seeds.

The fourth seed said the world from July to September quarter, the first of the year the group has traditionally been the smallest of the year as it weighs just under 15% of total revenue.Over the period, sales reached 178.8 million euros.

"In an uncertain economic and financial environment and despite the supply of maize seeds below the targets initial production plans, Vilmorin confirms its outlook for revenue growth and operating margin for the year 2011-2012 , as announced last October, "the group said in a statement.

Vilmorin is always a growth of over 7% of its consolidated revenues on a comparable basis and an operating margin of 11% research effort included.

A year ago the head of state has big plans for the G20 in Cannes, hoping to legitimize its position as world leader and presidential candidate. But on the eve of the summit, Nicolas Sarkozy saw his hopes dashed. The European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel in Brussels.

It must have been a great moment for France. And especially to Nicolas Sarkozy. Arriving to obtain the presidency of the G20 and G8 in 2011, with the help of his friend Gordon Brown, the head of state hoped to do two things at once: to become the great president of the International that he has always dreamed of being, and credibility for election in 2012. "In a way, it is served by the crisis," he said in November 2010, so do not hide its ambitions.At the time the French president harbored grandiose plans for the world economy: reforming the international monetary system (set the dual problem of the dollar and the yuan), limit the volatility of commodity prices, agricultural, or modernize the governance world. It will not happen, or not much. Already because of Nicolas Sarkozy's ambitions were too ambitious … But also because since November 2010, things have changed for France and its President.

Europe is no longer inspires confidence

It seems a long time since Germany and France landed at the G20 with the design, a bit peremptory, to moralize the financial world. At the time – at the G20 London in particular – the plight of the markets appeared to be the cause of all evil in the world economy.Today, on the verge of drowning, Europe assumed the costume of the responsibility for the crisis, wasting less time than it takes to say its capital credibility.

And it is likely that the G20 is a great opportunity for other states to remind him. All actors have to say good conscious "support and rebalance the global economy face significant risk of deterioration," for most, nothing can be done before that Europe treats his own evils. It is for this reason that the Europeans, Nicolas Sarkozy in the lead, have both hastened to find a solution for Greece. Alas, the great promises of the European Union will not be at the rendezvous.

Tuesday, to everyone's surprise, the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou decided to submit the European Agreement on Greece in the popular referendum and drawing a large question mark over the future of the euro area.

The agreement snatched in the night between Wednesday and Thursday by leaders of the euro area has temporarily turned off the fire that threatened the single currency but many risks still on the Greek debt restructuring and strengthening of the support fund the euro.

After more than ten hours of the summit, the Heads of State and Government of the single currency agreed with banks to reduce by 100 billion euros Greek debt and endorsed a complex mechanism to bring the firepower the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) to 1,000 billion.

European markets jumped and reached their highest level in three months while the euro was appreciating at more than $ 1.40, a value that had not crossed since early September.

But if this complex agreement among the most ambitious concluded since the bursting of the debt crisis in Greece in late 2009, it is nonetheless flawed, full of question marks and carries significant risks on its realization.

The bankers must first confirm their voluntary commitment to participate in the new bailout of Greece – a process that was long winded in the previous program.

Countries in the euro area should then agree on a series of far from trivial details in the implementation of the new EFSF, as the participation of international investors to it.

"I think the main risk would be to wait too long the implementation of these agreements," warned Thursday Ewald Nowotny, a member of the European Central Bank.

"Speed ​​is essential in this case," he told Austrian radio ORF.

GREEK RESTRUCTURING

Three months ago, European leaders had already reached agreement on a major debt reduction Greek involving private creditors, but the delays in implementing the plan and its lack of ambition have quickly rendered inoperative, at least in the eyes of the markets.

Decisions taken at dawn Thursday, finally attacking head-on questions of Greek debt and contagion of the crisis to larger countries such as Italy, Spain or France, are expected to avoid the euro area to repeat the same mistakes.

For Greece, it is expected that the debt be reduced from more than 160% of GDP to 120% in 2020, a level considered sustainable by the European authorities.

To do this, the governments of the euro area will set the table 130 billion euros in loans and guarantees, while private creditors will remove 100 billion from 210 billion euros of Greek securities they hold.

This voluntary contribution, expected to be received by the end of the year will amount to a waiver of 50%, said Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, who had to meet in person with representatives of banks and weigh their weight to force the decision.

The Director General of the Institute of International Finance (IIF) Charles Dallara, who represented the banks in the negotiation, welcomed the agreement, which revises the plan of July 21, in which the private sector was engaged only up to 50 billion euros.

As expected, the leaders of twenty-seven have also endorsed the plan to recapitalize banks to the tune of 106 billion euros by June 30, 2012, of which 8.8 billion for French banks.

The plan also provides government guarantees to enable banks to secure funding in the medium and long term, similar to those that were implemented in fall 2008 at the height of the financial crisis.

1.000 BILLION FOR EFSF

Third and final part of the European response to the crisis, Europeans also agreed on a scaling capabilities of the European Financial Stability (EFSF), which could then be brought up to 1.000 billion euros.An initiative likely to reassure markets on its ability to fly, if any, help from countries like Italy or Spain.

The Fund had in its creation of 440 billion euros but the support in Portugal and Ireland and the complex financial arrangements necessary to give it a AAA rating reduced to about 250 billion today its actual capacity remaining.

The leverage will be achieved via a dual mechanism: on the one hand it will provide partial debt issued by troubled countries and, secondly, to create a new "special vehicle" backed by the EFSF and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the participation of international investors, such as China and other emerging countries.

Nicolas Sarkozy, who said in Brussels that the Chinese participation was envisaged, met Thursday on the phone with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.

The Director General of EFSF, Klaus Regling, will visit China on Friday to meet with investors.

If he had been excluded from the weekend to leverage the EFSF by providing access to unlimited liquidity to the European Central Bank, the central bank has been active in the preliminary summit.

Providing some relief to markets, the future President of ECB, Mario Draghi, stated Wednesday morning that the bank would remain present in the bond markets as they would be unstable, an expected sign for several days which was welcomed by Nicolas Sarkozy.

"I am not the spokesman for the ECB. The ECB is an independent institution. Mr. Draghi did not interviewed before making that decision, we did have asked for anything, but it is permitted to rejoice in what 'he said, which is quite clear, "he said at a press conference, then insisting on these redemptions of debt.

Between the peaks decisions that decide nothing and unexpected twists, difficult to navigate in the soap extension to the rescue of the euro. L'Expansion. Com reported on what appears achievements and problems that appear before the appointment-critical? – Wednesday. European leaders meeting in Brussels.

While the EU summit Sunday was to end months of indecision and too limited solutions, the world was offered a new appointment on Wednesday to see whether the euro area will finally be saved. Back to what appears to finally being resolved and the problems that remain … or emerging.

What is clear

The discount massive Greek debt

The banking lobby is hoping for a discount of 40%, Brussels wants instead to 50 or 60%.But if negotiations continue on the final figure, the principle of a very significant effacement of the Greek debt appears to act for both parties. To justify this level, Europe is based on a report of the troika, which includes the country's creditors, European Union, ECB and IMF. According to the report, banks must accept losses from 50% to 60% for the country's debt is sustainable. This prospect terrifies but investors in Greece. The Athens Stock Exchange fell Monday. Concerns focus on the consequences of such a discount to banks and pension funds in the country, who hold 15% of Greek sovereign debt. Local employers in turn denounced a decision that would lead to a "devaluation of financial assets and real estate" of the Greeks and "suffocation of the private sector."

The recapitalization of banks

To absorb losses arising from the discount and deal with a possible extension of impairment to Spain and Italy, banks are encouraged to recapitalize. With two options. Either they agree to promote their sovereign debt to market, whereby they are set a target to achieve a capital ratio of hard 9% by mid-2012. Either they refuse, and then have to meet a higher target of 9.5%. According to a European source, this would represent a comprehensive effort to recapitalize "107 or 108 billion euros."The scenario always favors a priority call to the private sector and the public opening of windows and finally, in case of failure the use of a solution through the EFSF.

On French banks, Baroin reiterated on Monday that Europe 1 "may not need to open this window public" and that they would carry out this recapitalization "at the expense of dividends and bonuses" . Christian Noyer, Governor of the Bank of France, for his part spoke of a limited effort at "least ten billion euros."

Strengthening the EFSF

It is unclear exactly how the European financial stability but we know it will not be converted into bank, as called Paris. Berlin vetoed because it would require the fund to refinance with the ECB, that "treaties do not allow," said Chancellor Angela Merkel.Options to leverage the capacity of intervention of EFSF without increasing resources have been reduced to two. First possibility: make a guarantee fund for the obligations of troubled countries (Greece, Italy and Spain) that protects owners up to 20 to 30% of the loan amount. This insurance should put downward pressure on interest rates. Second option on the table: create a special fund to accept contributions from outside investors, and could be backed by the IMF. But as the EU president, Herman Van Rompuy, both options could ultimately be chosen. "Combined, these two models could have a cumulative effect," he said Sunday.

The new problems that emerge

The non-European contribution to EFSF

The proposed involvement of outside investors – outside the euro area – raises some reservations.The fear of other states to mix with European desnquiétudes rise. "The Chinese said they were interested, but some member states are skeptical about the idea of ​​integrating a Chinese contribution to the EFSF," said one diplomat. Which could ultimately leave the field open to the German proposal as EFSF Guarantee Fund.

The payment of the IMF to Greece

To avoid suffocation in the country, the creditors of Athens must pay the sixth installment of the loan of 110 billion euros. But if Europe accepted Friday the payment of its share (5.8 billion), the IMF still has not cleared the release of funds. The Secretary General of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, said Friday she would recommend the Fund to pay the remaining share (2.2 billion).But for this it will be another meeting of the Board of the IMF in November …

The use of Italy EFSF

Italy is under pressure to further reduce its debt and deficits. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was ordered to reach the European summit Wednesday with a detailed road map for further reforms of its economy, particularly on pensions. "This is not to appeal to the solidarity of partners if we do not effort," even said Nicolas Sarkozy. Now Italy has indeed need that help. She is a candidate to benefit from new support program called "precautionary" developed in July. The tool is expected to be able to provide credit lines or to allow the EFSF to buy government debt from one country to investors in the market "secondary" to influence interest rates.Relief Fund would replace the ECB and redeeming debt from the Italian August but warned that it would not do it forever. Except that Europe now poses its terms. Silvio Berlusconi has already given some pledges by suggesting that it might raise the retirement age to 67. It could also speed up privatization to relieve the huge debt the country to 1,900 billion euros.

Power focus on health is a major strategic focus for large food manufacturers, but their ambitions are hampered by regulations become more stringent and consumers more wary of offering is often expensive, analysts said.

The major industry players such as Danone, Nestle and Unilever should nevertheless continue to invest in these foods which the operating margin is much higher than ordinary food, they say.

The taxation of the "junk food" makes this strategy even more relevant.Denmark has introduced a tax on products that contain saturated fats and France wants to introduce a tax on sugary drinks.

The global market for "functional foods", expected to provide a benefit to consumers with diabetes or obesity, is estimated at 150 billion.

"The food chain can no longer ignore the trend nutrionnellement correct.This is an important issue given the aging population and increased diseases such as diabetes in developed countries, "said Isabelle Senande, director of studies at Xerfi.

But, she adds, "given the regulatory, industry think twice before launching."

One analyst, who requested anonymity, believes that for his position "is a condition of survival, not a niche market."But, he adds, "industry groups are becoming more cautious as inflation promises led to a tightening of regulations."

90% OF CASES ACCEPTED

The bifidus yoghurt, dairy products fortified with calcium and omega 3, or branded foods "low fat", "no sugar added" or "high fiber" are subject to strict control of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which ensures that the benefits put forward by the industry are justified scientifically.

Danone, which boasts of wanting to "bring health through nutrition," had experienced a crushing defeat in 2009 yoghurt Essensis that would "feed the skin from within."For its part, Nestlé has had a few days ago to withdraw his drink Nesfluid after only one year of marketing.

The Danone Actimel can show that it "strengthens the body" and that Activia "helps regulate transit in 15 days". The European regulator has however endorsed Danacol "reduces cholesterol" or Densia and Petit Gervais "that help maintain bone density."

At the National Association of food industries, Cécile Rauzy, project quality, nutrition, regrets that the demands of the EFSA is based on criteria "that are not necessarily the field of nutrition but to the pharmacy," the that could "slow the nutrition research."

Of the 2758 claims assessed between 2008 and 2011, the EFSA has delivered 90% of negative opinions.In particular, it rejected all those on fiber because, judging that their beneficial effects on intestinal transit had not been demonstrated.

The EU regulation on consumer information, passed last week and will be published by the end of 2011, require nutrition labeling for all companies.

"This is a major change because of the 10,000 enterprises in the French food industry, 95% are SMEs, many of which have never been labeling or nutritional analysis," said Cecile Rauzy.

BYPASS STRATEGY

Also in 2012, all health claims must be submitted to the French health authorities and the EFSA opinion which must be approved by the European Commission before being published on a register of authorized health claims. Only after the company can rely on it.

For Cecilia Rauzy, this procedure could lead very long "all small businesses, as well as large groups, to question a reorientation of their research."In fact, few major innovations have recently arrived on the shelves of distributors, agribusiness around obstacles by offering natural products with no artificial additives or colorants.

Francis Priest, an analyst at CM-CIC Securities, believes however that "the consumer is willing to pay more for food really good for his health in mature as in the emerging".

With margins of 13% to 18% which gives it a medical food, against 12% for an ordinary product, a company completely marginalizes the impact of the rising cost of raw materials, says the analyst.

In order to develop this market, industry players segments of business or carry out acquisitions.

Thus, Danone has created a division "Medical Nutrition." Nestle it launched last year a division specializing in health encompasses both activities in the nutrition of infants and sick and Jenny Craig, its subsidiary concurrent Weight Watchers. Without complex, the Swiss group has offered in the wake of frozen pizza, Kraft Foods for $ 3.7 billion.

At the same time, 51% stake in Yoplait were acquired for 1.2 billion euros by the American General Mills, while PepsiCo has offered the Russian group of dairy and fruit juice Wimm-Bill -Dann to 4.1 billion euros.

The Belgian, French and Luxembourg governments reaffirmed at the end of a meeting held in Brussels this Sunday afternoon in solidarity in the search for a solution that ensures the future of Franco-Belgian bank Dexia.

In a statement released by the office of Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, they say, give their full support to the proposals of management of the banking group, which will be presented at a Board of Directors scheduled at 15:00 in Brussels.

"The proposed solution, which is also the result of intense consultations with all relevant partners, will be presented to the Board of Directors of Dexia which is responsible for approving the proposals," said Yves Leterme.

The activities of the Franco-Belgian bank, first bank in size in Europe to be a victim of the crisis of sovereign debt in the euro zone could be split and the most risky assets confined to a separate structure.