Banks will have to regain trust

The current financial crisis through the financial markets due to subprime write-downs but also with the announcement of an unprecedented fraud at Society General structurally alter the banking landscape and challenges acquired banks to the market, investors as well as their clients: the confidence of financial institutions.

Through the efforts of transparency, better management of their operational costs and optimizing their capital, banks have to adapt to a financial cycle that will require them to demonstrate their ability to innovate both in terms of respect new regulatory ratios in terms of cost reduction and business development. The impact of this crisis of confidence and the levers available to financial institutions to restore calm and confidence in the system should be done at the earliest.

China investors shunning banks

You could fear that may happen in Europe, but in China it is happening. According to the official press, the four largest commercial banks are Chinese investors look to other alternatives - such as individuals and private companies - to deposit their money, it pushed by high inflation and low interest rates.

According to the Zhongguo Zhengjuan Bao (Journal of China securities), deposits of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Construction Bank (CCB), Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) fell by 420 billion Yuan (48.6 billion Euros) during the first 15 days of September.

The business daily also argues that much of the funds were placed on a parallel credit market. If individuals and companies are certainly not having status to bank, they nevertheless offer pay about ten times higher than bank deposits. Recall that the rise in consumer prices was 6.2% in August, while the deposit rates at one year is only 3.5%. In the end, so investors lose purchasing power by placing their money in the bank.

It should be noted also that in early September, the rating agency Fitch said it may lower the sovereign rating of China in the next two years. Reasons: the heavy debt the Chinese banking sector, the latter having provided massive loans in recent months.

Fitch confirms the highest score to Germany

The rating agency Fitch on Tuesday reaffirmed the "AAA" rating to Germany, and now it is the best position. The outlook remains stable on the other hand. A good report that offers the very interesting German debt investment safe haven status in these troubled times.

Speaking in a statement, Fitch highlights the following: a German economy "robust and diversified", "health" of the labor market, a macroeconomic management "prudent" investments and "vigorous". According to the agency, the prevailing market rate for the German debt if need be shown the safe haven status associated with it. However, that "the resolution of the crisis in the euro zone remains a determining factor for the stability of the German economy" notes Fitch.

"With a 40% share of German exports, 2% of GDP spent on existing support plans, and exposure of its banking sector to peripheral economies in the euro area, the risk of contagion from the crisis in Germany public debt remains high, "said Fitch, as well.

A position that echoes that of the IMF, the IMF saw as a likely scenario now possible spread of the debt crisis of the euro area financial system. "The banks' exposure to the fragile economies of the euro area is a fraction of the total, but is concentrated on a small number of institutions," said the agency also. The Landesbanken, regional public banks also remain a weak point of the German economy, Fitch believes that "an additional restructuring and consolidation is needed in this sector."

Recall that the Basel Committee refuses to recognize the present German peculiarity consists in that a large part of bank capital is composed of public hybrid capital which banks must pay interest to shareholders. Local authorities could be forced to run vast operations re-capitalization, the amount could be just "confessed" politically speaking.

For many years, observers indicate persistently that only two or three Landesbanken sufficient in Germany, instead of the seven schools being independent. But, of course, local politicians are hesitant to say the least to give up some of the prestige and economic power associated with these regional facilities.

New measures to support the American economy

The U.S. Federal Reserve, Central Bank of the United States (EDF) announced Wednesday that it would take further measures to support the U.S. economy, saying the resumption of the latter remained "slow". Among the measures: the sale by the end of June 2012 the equivalent of $ 400 billion in Treasury bills.


Subsequently, the Fed plans to buy an equivalent amount with a longer maturity in an attempt to lower interest rates and long-term power purchase real estate securities without increasing the size of its portfolio, the objective to support the mortgage market. The Fed also said it would keep its key interest rate near zero until mid-2013 if necessary.

On Tuesday, investors had taken for granted that the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) announced shortly measures to resume, background likely to increase demand for raw materials. While opening the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed, investors are already betting on a new "Operation Twist", which is to lower interest rates in the long term to boost the activity without act on interest rates in the short term.

In fact, such an operation is to extend the maturity of securities held in the balance sheet, ten years and over, to reduce rates, evidence to boost business investment and household on the housing market. Such a measure Devit also have an immediate impact on prices by devaluing the dollar and increasing demand in emerging markets.

Sharp rise in bad loans of banks in Spain

Decidedly, things keep getting worse in Spain, while the Madrid Stock Exchange barely see the green, data published Monday by the Bank of Spain indicate that bad debts are Spanish banks amounted to 3.1 billion euros in July, reaching a total of 124.7 billion euros. Note also that the ratio of NPLs to total loans granted by the Spanish financial sector amounted to 6.94% in July, corresponding to a level not seen since February 1995. Induced by such a situation of rising unemployment and increasing household debt.

Recall in this connection that the mortgage-up over 70% of household debt. However, this often forgotten by the media to tell you is that almost 85% of Spanish mortgages in 2001 consisted of floating rate loans. Note that in other countries such as France and Germany, less than 20% of loans to the same period are of this type. A context that makes the Spanish market particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates from the European Central Bank ....

Let us recall that in Spain, the Euribor ((interbank lending rate in the euro area) in one year is the index most used to index the interest rate. Finally, 93.2% of families in debt for real estate purchases on the other side of the Pyrenees are at variable rates.

The price of gold a victim of profit-taking

Once is not custom, gold has not benefited Monday from its role as a safe haven. Investors seem to have the contrary "relieved" of their investment in the precious metal to cover losses in other markets. By mid afternoon, the price of an ounce of gold was trading around 1820 dollars, while prices went up Friday to 1885.90 dollars.

On Tuesday, gold had even reached a record high of 1921.15 dollars. A surge that has allowed some to reap serious benefits and allowing them to absorb the consequences of their unfortunate investments.
Let us recall that an ounce of gold was still up 15% in a month. The surge in gold is also hampered the last few hours by the renewed strength of the dollar, the greenback Monday reaching its highest level in six months against the Euro. A situation that makes it less attractive raw material purchases denominated in U.S. currency.

Still, the phenomenon could be a passenger, uncertainties regarding the euro area accentuated a little more each day. It should be noted as well as the largest gold funds listed globally, SPDR Gold Trust, saw the level of its holdings increase by 10.5 tons during the single day of Friday to reach 1,241 tons now.

Oil prices on the increase

Oil-barrel prices rose sharply Wednesday in New York, boosted by the weather and a report from the Fed to say the least optimistic about U.S. growth. The recovery of strength in the stock markets will do the rest. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of light sweet crude for October delivery had soared to well over 3.32 dollars Tuesday, up to now the value of 89.34 dollars. Meanwhile in London, the price of Brent North Sea for the same period was trading at 115.80 dollars on the Intercontinental Exchange, rising 2.91 dollars so.

The price of crude rose sharply at the opening as markets react strongly to climatic conditions observed in the Gulf of Mexico, a region where most of the platforms provide a quarter of the oil consumed in the country. Investors have largely responded to the report published by the Office of Management and regulation of ocean energy resources (http://www.cmegroup.com/company/nymex.htmlBOEMRE), the latter indicating that, indeed, if Tropical Storm Lee, who reached Sunday Louisiana had inflicted no major damage, the fact remained that 37% of oil extraction and 18% of gas extraction in the area remained suspended Wednesday.

Although significantly a lower percentages of the values observed the previous day but at a level totally unexpected. Note also a possible disruption of production in Mexico, second largest exporter of crude to the United States while the National Hurricane Center reports that a tropical cyclone could pass within 48 hours, with a probability of 70%.

The price per barrel will also be benefited with the surge in global stock markets observed Wednesday, London and Paris rising more than 3%, while Frankfurt soared more than 4%. Another positive: the report of conditions contained in the Beige Book Federal Reserve (Fed), economic activity in the United States continued to grow at a moderate pace. An ad that has the merit of ending the cycle of bad news experienced in recent times.

Fitch could degrade China because of the banking sector

While the European Union and the United States is buffeted by a debt crisis without precedent, Thursday, rating agency Fitch said it may lower the sovereign rating of China in the next two years. Reasons: the heavy debt the Chinese banking sector, the latter having provided massive loans in recent months.

In an interview with Reuters, Andrew Colquhoun, head of Asia Pacific ratings at Fitch, has considered possible a downgrade in China from 12 to 24 months. "We anticipate a material deterioration in the quality of bank assets. If the problems of the sector are changing as we anticipate, or even worse, the next 12 to 24 months, this would lead us to lower the note," he warned.

Last April, already, Fitch lowered its rating outlook on China's "stable" to "negative", citing concerns that date on the financial stability of the country following the decision in Beijing to increase bank credit to maintain China's economic growth. Currently, Fitch assigns the note to China 'AA-', corresponding to the fourth highest level of its scale, position equivalent to that of Italy and a notch below that of Spain.

In early July, the rating agency Moody's had indicated that for its public debt to China stood at 36% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), taking into account the share of the debts of local governments for which Beijing assume direct responsibility. A few days earlier, the National Audit Office had indicated that the debts of the provinces, municipalities and districts Chinese rose late 2010 to 27% of Chinese GDP, representing a total of 1.163 trillion Euros.

The same office had, however, insisted that 63% of this debt would be repaid through revenue budget.

Now where the rub is; that they have borrowed huge amounts from the global financial crisis, via means of ad hoc structures called "platforms financing" or PFL.
Objective: To finance infrastructure and housing projects not always profitable.

But according to the National Audit Office; the "ability to pay is low and faces potential risks in certain areas and certain industries." Indeed, in a snowball effect, some local governments had to make new loans ... to repay the debts already contracted, also heavily dependent on land sales to meet their deadlines.

According to the auditors of governments of China, 108.3 billion yuan (11.8 billion) of loans were made or used fraudulently, the money ends up in banks or stock markets real estate.

Indeed, point out that as a guarantee, the PFL received capital that comes from land assets transferred by the community investment fund and ... fraud, bank lending in the short term what notionally provide a PFL time he gets a larger credit. All of which leads ultimately to the National Audit Office that the platforms of local funding must be "cleaned and regulated."

A bit worried, Moody's said that Chinese banks have lent billions of 8500 yuan (905 billion) out of 10'700 billion yuan (1.163 trillion euros) to local governments ... a situation that causes a high risk exposure.

"The debts existed before the global financial crisis, but they quickly accumulated in the last two years while investment by local governments has been used as a key tool" to boost the economy, adds Moody's.

Copper prices on rise!!!

The price of copper rose on Wednesday at 9304 dollars a tonne, its highest level since early August.Prices remain supported by strong concerns over the production of Chile. The country's largest exporter worldwide, is greatly affected recently by strikes in the mining sector.

Analysts at MF Global, official figures this week reported a fall of 18% of Chile's copper supply in July.A context that would fuel tensions in the market, while new social movements may emerge in the giant Grasberg mine in Indonesia, which represents 4% of world production of copper.

Finally, early Friday afternoon, a tonne of copper for delivery in three months traded at the LME 9025 dollars, 9006 dollars per tonne against the previous Friday.

Oil prices weighed down by Employment in US

The price of oil fell sharply Friday in New York, weighed down by strong employment figures sobering.
Stopping a part of the oil production in the Gulf of Mexico will not even possible to change that. A barrel of light sweet crude for October delivery has thus concluded the day at 86.45 dollars on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), down 2.48 dollars compared to the previous day. The course was even on the verge of reaching the threshold of 85 dollars, then limit its losses by closing.

You will note in passing that the current price fluctuations are far to affect the price of gasoline. Meanwhile in London, the Intercontinental Exchange, a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery closed at 112.33 dollars, dropping 1.96 dollars.

The courses were largely impacted by the monthly report on employment. However, while a positive balance of recruitment had been found for ten consecutive months and in contrast to analysts' projections, the American economy has not created any jobs in August. However, some analysts had estimated in early trading as climatic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico could reverse the trend, Tropical Storm Lee threatened oil installations producing a quarter of U.S. crude.

However, while almost 48% of oil production in the area was arrested, corresponding to 666,321 barrels per day, and 33% of offshore gas extraction, prices could rise. Another disturbing fact: according to forecasts from Barclays Capital, gasoline consumption in the United States fell by 4.1% in annual slippery during the summer period, however, conducive to the mobility of Americans.

Fight Against Money Laundering -3

The directive strengthens the other hand the obligation to share information. The Financial Security Act of 2001 introduced the need for coordination among banking groups the fight against money laundering. This involves organizing the different entities of the group exchange of information necessary for monitoring the customer on a consolidated basis. With the third directive, banks will now have the opportunity to share information between groups and banking networks, institutions and even between non-group members, since they are subject to equivalent obligations.

Beyond measures of intra and intergroup, banks must comply with in 2008 a major European regulations, European harmonization of retail payments (SEPA - Single European Payment Area [6]). "Europeanization" of cash flows increases the need for more secure against the practices of money laundering or terrorist financing. In addition to a larger volume, banks will soon face severe regulatory constraints on compliance, security and traceability of financial flows.

The banks have already set up systems for monitoring and tracking capabilities including data collection (to detect and select unusual or suspicious transactions), but also reporting and archiving of tests conducted. Examination of the flow from the source of transactions, to verify the source of funds, is based on two main areas:

* Filtering: detecting the presence or absence in the black lists published by national and supranational regulation;
* And behavioral analysis: analysis of accounts and transactions in connection with the risk profiles to detect unusual transactions and suspicious behavior.

However, with the increasing internationalization of flows and extensive monitoring obligations to the beneficial owner of the transaction, major efforts are still needed to harmonize procedures for risk prevention (warning indicators adapted from the Know Your Customer rules, ... ) internationally. According to a KPMG study [7], although the expenses of banks in combating money laundering and terrorist financing have increased on average by 58% over the past three years, only 24% of international banks have at the moment of an effective system for monitoring transactions and accounts of the same customer across different countries ...

In conclusion, the successful implementation of the Directive is closely linked to be the ability of banks to develop a coordinated approach and a risk, for realism and efficiency.

Fight Against Money Laundering -2

The scope of due diligence, previously limited to the financial sector now includes notaries, lawyers, accountants, auditors, tax advisers, estate agents, casinos, service companies and trusts, and insurance intermediaries . Monitoring the client is also extended to (s) recipient (s) number (s) [5] of the transaction: this additional requirement of identification, which seems difficult to implement, more complex work of banks.


The duty of care is now adjusted according to the risk that the client is. Each institution will define the level and nature of audit to be implemented towards the customer (identification and verification of identity on the basis of documentary evidence, gathering information on the purpose and nature of the relationship of business, followed by the business relationship ...) depending on the nature of its clientele, operation and services. The approach could also requires banks to be able to justify the adjustment of the audit.


To avoid duplication of identification procedures, the third directive sets up the principle of mutual recognition and acceptance of measurement results to identify clients: it allows the presentation of clients whose identification measures were carried out by banks and financial institutions located in the European Union. The ultimate responsibility then rests on the establishment to which the customer is introduced, that is to say the one who resorts to colleagues.


Banks have gradually established since the 1990s services fight against money laundering. They now emphasize the need for a group.

The first challenge for financial institutions is to continuously develop the culture of anti-money laundering with the group, and the training of employees by raising awareness (transmission of procedures and corresponding obligations, formation of the entire profession with warning indicators, lead to detect suspected cases ...). FBF offers on this since 2003, with the participation of Tracfin, a training evolution available to the entire profession, and consists of an awareness module and several modules specialized on specific issues.

Fight Against Money Laundering

The international community has placed first among its priorities the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The 3rd Money Laundering Directive, published October 26, 2005 in the Journal. Official European Union must be transposed into national law by 15 December 2007. Repealing the previous guidelines, it represents an opportunity to clarify the text, and seeks to strengthen international cooperation and to transpose the new forty FATF recommendations.

The third directive has several developments in four major areas: the scope, due diligence and reporting, and enforcement. A considerable broadening of the scope of the declaration of suspicion ...
The scope of the crackdown, which covered the laundering of proceeds of crime, is now extended to offenses classified as "serious" fraud (especially taxes), corruption, and especially the financing of terrorism offenses and exposing them to a sentence of imprisonment exceeding one year. These last two points are particularly sensitive:

* One hand, terrorist financing differs from money in two aspects: it is usually based on a darkening own money, and it is not the source is at issue, but the destination of the funds (often low);
* On the other hand, if the French legislation does not change, the new definition of the offense would expand the scope of all economic and financial crimes, which would lead to increase reports of suspicious and blocking and Tracking.

Goldman Sachs implicated in the scandal of foreclosures

The U.S. Federal Reserve (FED), Central Bank of the United States said Thursday it planned http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifto impose a fine on the U.S. bank Goldman Sachs for "malpractice" of its subsidiary, Litton Loan Servicing. The scandal of foreclosures has not finished talking to him ...

Even if Goldman Sachs has sold Monday the company involved in a huge scandal, however, the Fed has insisted that the bank "will be responsible for payment" of any fine inflicted by the Fed. In April, US regulators have reminded fourteen U.S. financial groups involved in the scandal, including Bank of America, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, PNC and Wells Fargo, and a subsidiary of the insurer MetLife and British bank HSBC. But include Goldman Sachs at that time. But now, the Fed believes that Litton has made him as guilty of "negligence", "malpractice" and other "misconduct".

The scandal erupted late foreclosures in September 2010, driven by the controversy over the signatures so-called "robo signing" (acceptance almost to the chain of files without any real data verification) situation that led Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and Ally Financial to suspend their proceedings.

Recall that the number of foreclosures implemented by banks in the United States reached a new record in August 2010. Financial institutions seeking so to "catch up" accumulated in the processing of cases in mortgage trouble. Banks seized 95 364 units during this period, exceeding 2% the previous record set in May The number of entry procedures performed had increased by 3% over one month and 25% in annual slippery.

In an attempt to redress the balance, the Fed imposed Thursday at Goldman Sachs to conduct an independent audit of all procedures that were being seized in Litton in 2009 or 2010 to determine the amount of financial damage caused to the borrowers.

Advertising Phenomenon of Banks-2

In addition to information about banking services offered, the campaign is primarily aimed at reconciling the public with a bank somewhat tumultuous past. The thrust of this campaign is the proximity to the client, which is accentuated by the presence of personalities that can relate to the public.

This campaign LCL echoes the concept of advertising sagas very popular with banks and has been for several years as the saga animal or the saga of popular songs. The heart of this strategy is the repetition of messages for the purpose of funding through the public ownership of the characteristics of the saga. Indeed, more than a product, banks sell a brand. The sagas advertising contribute to highlight the image of banks by creating an emotional connection, whether emotional or humorous, with the public.


If households are still the main targets of advertising campaigns for retail banks, however, there is an interest of more and stronger for the youth market, which results in the development of many advertisements. This is the case, for example, BNP Paribas, which has appealed to actors Eric and Ramzy, with its campaign focused on "helping hand". This solicitation is mainly due to the potential in the medium - long-term youth, namely 16-25 years. Indeed, it is at this age that form the first major projects (driver's license, first home ...), all of the credit for the development. The main objective is to develop a relationship over time. However, because of extreme competition, the conquest of the young results in a real war of marketing, resulting in intense communication plans and the introduction of banking products more innovative.


If we can hardly imagine today the end of the bank advertising on traditional media (television, press, radio ...), new media technologies encourage banks to renew their strategy. By winning the French advertising landscape, the Net is very popular among retail banks. Indeed, the Web has attracted over the past five years more than 10% of investment banks and retail are among the first sectors in terms of advertising presence online. The Net is also the location of new innovations in communication as demonstrated by example the concept "If I were a banker" launched by Credit Mutual and allowing the public to issue directly, via a dedicated website, needs in terms of banking services. These new approaches, focusing mainly on the interaction client / bank, pose new challenges to communication faced by banking groups. Moreover, some entities not known to the general public, such as establishments for the management of debt, have understood this opportunity offered by Internet to talk about them. Similarly banks "soft" as ING Direct or credit specialists online as Cofidis continue to develop their advertising strategy and sponsorship on the Web, demonstrate once again the health of the channel and its emergence.

Advertising Phenomenon of Banks -1

In the advertising landscape, banks dominate. Indeed, because of their presence in all media and advertising media (television, press, posters ...) and hand their budgets sometimes amounting to several million Euros per year, banks are in the top tier of producers of advertising. It is from the 20s that the general public discovered the range of banking services. Over the century, all media were used; press on television through partnerships and sponsorships, banks have always attached great importance to its communication. Icons and concepts have been developed: the client advisor, trust, sharing, listening, innovation, the future ... and money. The constant development of advertising bank is due to the specificity of the activity: the product involved is money, so everyone is potentially a target. However, this specificity of activity produces the following observation: advertising bank has always faced the problem of cultural approach to money, enough about taboo in our society. There are thus paradoxes in the communication of banks in that they sell money without ever actually saying that they are winning. Commenting on a sensitive issue, advertising bank has a special place in the world of communication.

If the bank relies on advertising all media platforms, we must admit that television occupies a special place because of the importance of the hearing. Very few and banking groups that do not use television advertising. However, if used widely, strategies can vary widely depending on the objectives and targets.

A television advertising campaign may be the main instrument in the overall strategy of a bank and LCL is currently the best example because since 2006 a campaign involving the stars of Cinema is to popularize the new name of the bank and to attract new clients.

Oil Prices On Rise

Oil prices rose sharply Monday in New York, boosted by buoyant equity markets. Wall Street has indeed been boosted during the day by publishing an indicator of consumption in the United States that the current level was satisfactory. On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October had concluded the day at 87.27 dollars, up 1.90 dollars from Friday.

Markets remain driven by the president's speech to the U.S. central bank (Fed), Ben Bernanke delivered Friday that may foreshadow the development of new stimulus measures in the monetary policy meeting in September in which the duration was extended. The glow of optimism in the markets is observed following the announcement of a stronger than expected rebound in consumer spending of households, which rose 0.8% in July.

Also note that at present, the impact of Hurricane Irene in oil markets remains weak, no crude oil production being listed in the affected areas and no major disruption in supplies being to report.

Rebound on Wall Street

Wall Street started the week with much fanfare, the New York Stock Exchange showing a marked increase in closing Monday. The stock market has primarily benefited from the publication of an indicator highlighting the resilience of consumption in the United States, while the financial consequences of Hurricane Irene could be scaled down.

At the final bell, the Dow Jones progressed and 2.26% at 11,539 points while the Nasdaq and Standard & Poor's 500 respectively go up showed an increase of 3.32% to 2562 points and 1210 points to 2.83%. Note particularly the crossing by the Standard & Poor's 500 threshold of 1200 points, something that had not been seen since last two weeks. The Nasdaq has still increased by 4.3% last week after a month of fall, and shows up its fifth session in six sessions. Its level has now reached the highest since Aug. 3.

Main factors of such a surge: investors seem reassured by the amount of the first estimates of the damage caused by Hurricane Irene, which has struck the United States. While some initial projections exceeded 10 billion, the company's risk management Eqecat has estimated for its damage to 5 or 7 billion. Also note that consumer spending of households in the United States rebounded in July, growth proving to be greater than expected (0.8%).

Overall decline in Credit Default Swap

According to Markit, the Credit Default Swap (CDS) debt-related peripheral countries in the Euro area showed an overall decline. Markets appear to be satisfied and policies in Spain and Italy, as investors thus less prone to risk aversion.

But caution is still required while Greece is still alone, strong concerns weighing on a possible non-application of the second aid package awarded to Athens. Thus, the CDS (insurance against nonpayment) of the Greek debt to five years have now reached 2,200 basis points, up 92 bps.

The Credit Default Swap with the same maturity on the Italian debt has meanwhile declined by 19 bps to 360 bps, a few hours before the auction by Italy of eight billion Euros of debt. CDS Spanish were down for their 14-bps to 362 bps. The 10-year rate in Spain was changing and in turn to 5.04%, against a record 6.45% last August 2. Regarding Ireland, the decline is 32 basis points to 805 basis points.

Gold, The Misfortune Of One is The Happiness of Others

The misfortune of one is again the happiness of others ... and vice versa. After passing record after record, the "favor" of the crisis in the United States and the European Union, the price of gold has suffered these last hours of renewed investor confidence international markets.

The ounce of gold has dropped sharply Wednesday, falling below the $ 1,800 in a sharp drop of nearly 8%. While it is however necessary to correlate the thing, remembering that the day before the gold price reached a new record high trading at more than 1,900 dollars, a trend following a wave of profit taking after the outbreak observed in recent days.

By 1430 GMT, the price of an ounce of gold has tumbled to 1761.28 dollars on the spot market, dropping more than 150 dollars compared to a record 1,913.50 dollars recorded on Tuesday in exchange Asian.

Investors appear to have diverted a time of gold and its safe haven qualities, reassured by the increase observed on the European stock markets, it following the announcement of a rebound in durable goods orders in July higher than expected.

Also note that the Shanghai Gold Exchange, China market of precious metals, said Tuesday it had increased its "margin calls" - the amounts that investors must file with the operator for each position in a futures contract - making of facto less attractive investments in gold.

While the August 11, the CME, the exchange operator COMEX, New York market of precious metals, already noted by 22% its "margin calls", passing $ 7,425 per contract, some seem to fear a further increase. Sensing a desire to remove the "weak hands" who lack cash.

Sad record of youth unemployment in Italy

Is it only consolation? While France recorded an increase of job seekers, Italy is no exception ... since according to a study released Wednesday by Confartigianato, the Italian federation of craftsmen, the Italian nation has one of the youth unemployment rate the highest in Europe and the highest in the age group under 35. According to the report of Confartigianato, Italy has more than one million unemployed under the age of 35, corresponding to a rate of 15.9%.

The problem is particularly acute in the 15-24 age group with a rate of 27.8% recorded in June by the European Institute Eurostat, the European average for it’s around 20.3%. Remember, however, that Spain, the unemployment rate for under 25 reached 45.7% while it is 33.3% in Slovakia. Like what everything is relative ...

Looking specifically the portion of the age of 35, the number of young people with jobs fell by 926,000 units between 2008 and 2011. The Italian institute of statistics Istat for its part told that Italy had in the first quarter of 2011, 1.152 million of unemployed under 35 years. Unemployment is especially in the Mezzogiorno located south of the peninsula with a rate of 21.1%, representing 538,000 unemployed youth. Sicily has the highest with a rate of 28%, reports Confartigianato ... regardless of undeclared ...

For businesses, non-standard contracts can get rid of the tax burden. The absence of effective measures for reducing employment opportunities for young people to find a decent job is the main reason. Note, however, all age groups combined, the unemployment rate in Italy is one of the lowest in Europe, reaching 8% in June against 9.9% in the euro area over the same period. Young Italians seem to somewhat stalled, only 47% of them hoping to get a full-time contract. Ironically, while the young end of the Arab Spring sees Italy as a veritable paradise, 98,000 young Italians would be willing to emigrate to find work.

For the record, according to information provided by the Italian Interior Ministry in a circular to the Chamber of Deputies dated August 3, 2011, 51,881 immigrants set foot on Italian soil during the first seven months of the 2011. Of these, 24,854 are from Tunisia, 23,890 are from Libya and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. Such an "effective" equals the number of immigrants recorded during 1999, a year marked by war in Kosovo.

Shares and Bonds

When we purchase a share of stock, we are in fact getting ownership in the company in which we are investing. As a result, we share in both the profits and losses of the company the whole time the years. We’d probably want to pay attention to news that affects both the market and the economy in general. A bond does not embody ownership in a corporation where as stock entitles you. The company may sell bonds as an alternative to issuing stock. Rather than owning a piece of the company, the bondholder becomes a creditor the company. The company will be paying back over the life of the bond. The difference is that the return you will earn on your money as a bondholder is generally a fixed percentage annually. If the bond is for 5 years, you will get interest each year for the next 5 years, and then our investment returned to you at termination date. In the short term, we lose money in the stock market than the bond market.

Certification of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

After much discussion and delays, U.S. and European authorities have certified the plane long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Recall that the first aircraft flight took place December 15, 2009. The latter is designed to carry between 210 and 330 passengers depending on configuration. The manufacturer has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S. (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the latter indicating that the device meets all the regulations in force.

The Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) for its previously announced it would take formal possession on September 25 of the first copy of the aircraft. It's about time! Since delivery will still be more than three years behind schedule, According to estimates by experts external to the builder, the project has incurred cost overruns of several billion dollars.

The construction of the Dreamliner is indeed a challenge to Boeing, the production process including making composite materials with the aim to reduce the device and reduce its fuel consumption.

However, composites do not follow the same laws as aluminum. If they have undeniable qualities, they are however not free from defects. The development of the wing and the point of attachment of the wing to the fuselage and have posed serious challenges to engineers. At present, the device has already been 827 orders. Boeing expects to produce ten copies per month by the end of 2013. United Continental Holdings, formed by the merger of Continental Airlines and United Air Lines, should receive its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in early 2012; the assembly phase of the unit has already started in Everett, in the State of Washington.

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Hurricane Irene could also add the financial woes of the United States

Not life grand? Hurricane Irene has not yet reached the coasts of the United States that some experts argue already figures on the possible financial consequences of its passage. According to Kinetic Analysis, a firm that develops computer models of any damage that may be caused by bad weather, the weather event could cause up to twelve billion dollars in damage on the east coast of the United States if the projected path by Meteorologists official is confirmed.

If I were cynical, I could say that the situation would represent almost a "windfall" for Obama, the financial damage caused by storms may eventually merge with the negative consequences of lack of rigor of the American government on the management of public deficits. According to the national hurricane center based in Miami, Irene has to hit North Carolina Saturday and Sunday back to New York where "a very dangerous storm" could lead to rising water 3 to 4 meters.

If one believes Chuck Watson; director of research for Kinetic Analysis, this scenario would be the worst possible in current situation. It is true according to an estimate made by NASA from satellite observations; Irene has a diameter of about 820 km, equivalent to nearly a third of the total length of the U.S. east coast (2675 km).

The probability that the hurricane hit New York at the height of its intensity remains small, then context would reduce the "bill", the damage in this case could "be limited" to a range between 5 and 10 billion. The firm is nevertheless clear that a difference of 30 km of where the center of the storm will strike "can literally double the value of the damage."Kinetic Analysis shows "If it goes directly to the City of New York, even a low-intensity hurricane could easily cause one billion of losses".

ECB Purchased 14.291 € Billion Of Bonds

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced Monday it had bought for 14.291 billion Euros of government bonds of countries in the euro area from 11 to 17 August. Its previous "purchases" were $ 22 billion the previous week. The ECB also held Tuesday a tender for deposits to a week to absorb excess liquidity caused by these operations.

August 19, its purchases of government bonds totaled 110.5 billion Euros, these measures within the scope of its outstanding program reactivated in August. Even if the ECB did not want to disclose more information about the origin of the securities purchased, it seems that the Central Bank has acquired principally Spanish and Italian bonds, continuing its policy last week.

Not surprisingly, when it's soaring rates applicable to the debt of Spain and Italy leading the institution to reactivate its procurement processes of public debt, in order to try to contain the contagion of the crisis. Overall, the ECB has bought 110.5 billion euros of shares since May 2010.