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Washington announced Friday it had cleared the merger between United Airlines and Continental Airlines. The Department of Justice indicated that the two U.S. companies had responded to his objections to their merger, leaving a number of slots for landing and takeoff at Newark International Airport near New York.

Downstream Europe in July

United Airlines, the third American company, Continental Airlines and fourth, had announced in May their intention to merge under the single name of United. The European Union, the guardian of competition in Europe, had already given its approval to the transaction at the end of July. In a statement, Brussels stated that his investigation confirmed the complementarity of the two companies' networks for Transatlantic routes, since they operate hubs in different U.S. cities."So there will be a marginal increase in market share," concluded the European Union. But a refusal of the United States was to be feared, as authorities in 2001 vetoed a previous merger between United Airlines and U.S. Airways on the grounds that it would reduce competition in the transport sector to the detriment of the public.

Fusion 1 October

The U.S. Department said it had closed its investigation as a result of the merger between the two companies, which gives them the field libre.Dans a statement, the two companies said they expected to complete their reconciliation of by 1 October. By marrying, they hope to better withstand the difficulties faced by the industry today, including the rising cost of fuel and competition from low cost airlines.Together they serve 370 destinations in 59 countries, with a combined turnover of 29 billion dollars, a fleet of nearly 700 aircraft and about 87,000 employees worldwide.

If you have the right amount of money and can lay out a budget that adequately reduces your personal expenses, you can either reduce the amount of your fast loan or drop it altogether.

August subdued for the French economy. According to a first estimate, the flash PMI index of purchasing managers stood at its lowest level since five months, to 59 points, against 59.7 in July, reported Markit. Pessimists will note that the services are in decline, against 61.1 to 59.9 in July. As for industry, she has continued to destroy jobs in the month of August.

But optimists emphasize that, although down compared to July, the PMI indicator reflects a strong growth in business services as industry. This also recovers to 54.7 against 53.9 a month earlier. In general, grade Markit, the two sectors have "stronger growth in the volume of new business" on the month. What "confirm the solidity of the French takeover," analyzes Jack Kennedy, economist at Markit.The government has revised its forecast Friday for growth for 2011 downward from 2.5% to 2%.

On another positive note, employment continued to grow, driven by strong hiring in the services. Above all, companies "remain confident about their business outlook," "anticipate new business opportunities" and "hope for an improvement in overall economic conditions over the next twelve months," notes Markit.

Germany shaped

In Germany, activity has accelerated in August, reaching the highest since three years, according to Markit index. This was up by 59.3 points, against 59 in July. "The strong growth in services from the index, while the industry recorded a slight slowdown in growth."While some manufacturers are worried about the holding of world trade, the robust performance of services will be crucial in the second half" to maintain the dynamism of the recovery in Germany, analyzes Tim Moore, an economist at Markit.

The PMI index for the entire euro area fell slightly to 56.1, against 56.7 points in July. This result, which indicates a growth in activity, conceals alarming disparities between national economies, growth still based primarily on Germany and France, "warned Markit.

"After an excellent second quarter, growth in the third quarter should be relatively robust to the heart of Europe," said Pierre-Olivier Beffy, chief economist at Exane BNP Paribas."A further rise in significant business is in the cards, probably beyond current expectations."

Less optimistic economists at BNP Paribas' doubt that the dynamism in the services prevent the European economy to slow sharply in the second half. "

Lafarge, the group specializes in building materials, has announced a decrease of 3% of its turnover for the first half of 2010. At constant exchange rates and constant perimeter, the decrease amounted to 4%. The operating income showed a decline of 5% to 1.072 billion euros (-9% at constant scope and exchange rates).

Net income from Lafarge withdrew its side of 29% to EUR 233 million. The current operating margin shows finally a decrease of 30 basis points to 13.9%.

In the second quarter alone, sales rose 2% to 4.436 billion euros but, at constant perimeter and constant exchange rates, sales rose 2%. The operating income increased 5% to 836 million euros. It is stable at constant exchange rates and constant perimeter.

At the Paris stock exchange, these ads are unwelcome.The title Lafarge has one of the largest decreases in ACC 40: 3.89% yield at 41.80 euros at the close No fax payday advance.

New measures to reduce debt

Bruno Lafont CEO of Lafarge, said in a statement that "the pace of economic recovery remains uncertain and highly variable from one country to another," led the group to adjust its market forecast for the year 2010. Lafarge table so now on a variation of the demand for cement between -1 and +3% on the year compared to 2009 (against 0% to 5% expected in late March).

The band announced further steps to reduce its debt amounting to 15.16 billion euros (down 1% during the first half).Thus, it will "limit its investments in 2011 to 1 billion euros" and sets "a new goal of structural cost reductions of more than 200 million euros."

Place the masons and painters! Members of the Committee on Social Affairs of the National Assembly completed late Thursday afternoon, discussing the draft law on pensions, with a few hours ahead of schedule. Members will now leave the Palais Bourbon completely delivered to artisans who have already begun the usual summer work. Return scheduled Tuesday, Sept. 7, even on Monday night at 6 for a special session will begin by examining the same text, but this time in the Chamber.

"It is in times of transition, summarized perhaps one at the Elysee. The real battle will take place from September. "The for Sarkozy are well aware that this first parliamentary stage was a formality. Not surprisingly, the debates have been looped smoothly."The Socialists have just wanted to make a coup by breaking the lock-in twitter discussions with their phone," is a counselor. What the left willingly admits. For now, she preferred surf the weakening of Labour Minister Caught in the case Bettencourt. Godsend for the Socialists, who are careful not to request his resignation.

Paradoxically, the majority seemed more worried by the progress of the case and its component Bettencourt Woerth that by the turn of the debate on pensions. "The left is going clubbing Woerth in September. He held up? "Wonders already a minister. The Elysee hopes that the summer break will reduce the pressure. Nicolas Sarkozy and François Fillon reiterated that Eric Woerth defend indeed the text on Sept. 7. In other words, he will not be driven to resign by then."It is quiet because we know there is nothing in the record," says the Prime Minister.

"Everything will be decided in September. We are ready for battle. But it also depends on the mobilization in the streets, "says one seat in the PS. Clearly, the left hopes to build on part of the public. Even if the opponents and proponents of reform are divided into two shares more or less equal faxless cash advance.

Unions united

Unions, too, prepare to maturity. For September 7 will also be a new day of strikes and protests against the reform that SF has, once again, on Thursday asked the "withdrawal". In reality, most organizations do not believe and do not even dream to win concessions on key points, beginning with the postponement of the age to 62 years.However, they have not conceded the changes on other aspects of the text during the parliamentary debate.

They rely for that on the "pressure" of the street. Will they exceed the threshold of two million demonstrators, after 1.9 million announced on the evening of the last day of action – successful – last June 24? Not easy to mobilize massively, just days after school starts. Therefore plants have continued their campaign all summer, touring the beaches to the CFDT distributed a booklet "educational" on reform and its "alternative" possible, the CGT.

The unions will have an advantage: their unity restored. Having refused to sign for months, FOR has joined its competitors, and the CFE-CGC has done the same.It is the only organization to accept the decline of legal age, but she believes that the conditions there pose – including a strong financial closure of the reform – are not met.

Faced with this united front, the government has chosen to keep the ballast drop. He has done at this stage, no specific proposals on issues which he is willing to develop: difficulty, and long careers polypensionnés.

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The euro area returns in the red. Ten days after France's trade deficit widened to 5.5 billion euros, the euro zone on Friday issued a trade deficit of 3.4 billion for the month of May, after a surplus of 0.3 billion in April, according to a first estimate from Eurostat. In May 2010, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 1.6% and imports by 4.2%. In May 2009, the euro area recorded a surplus of 2.2 billion euros.

This was due to the decline of the euro against the dollar in the spring, pro-European exports, but bad for imports, which are to higher prices.

All countries of the European Union, namely sixteen of the euro area and the eleven who did not belong, recorded in May a trade deficit of 15.1 billion euros free instant credit report . It widened from April (-11 billion) and over the same month of 2009 (-7000000000). In May 2010, exports of "27" rose 0.9% and imports by 4.1%. One area where the deficit was more accentuated for the "27", the éenergie (-91.5 billion euros against a deficit of 76.1 billion a year ago).Conversely, manufactured products emit a surplus of 50.5 billion euros (ocntre a surplus of 34.7 billion).

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"The trade deficit widens

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphics.

Formality. Unless disaster, Laurence Parisot should be re-elected Thursday as head of MEDEF for three years. The boss of bosses is the only candidate to succeed him and won the support of 40 members of the executive board present at the May 31 (out of 45 members) in a secret ballot.

The boss of bosses was the only candidate to succeed him (photo credits Jean-Christophe Marmara to the Figaro).

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) to better protect investors. Like announced last April, the MFA has launched with the collaboration of the supervisory authority, a new public financial information. His goal? To better inform its clients on banking, savings, insurance, financial markets or the credit. The public will get information on insurance products (home, auto, life, health …), bank accounts, means of payment, bank books or the functioning of financial markets, products collective savings, companies listed on the Stock Exchange, the securities account.

"Applications will be redirected by the operators to specialists of the AMF or the supervisory authority," says Madeleine Guidoni, mediator of the AMF.The policeman of the Exchange hopes to meet customer expectations disappointed that their banks do not have better information about the content of such Fund.

Life buoy

"The financial institution has taken to bad habits for marketing of financial products", regrets the mediator of the AMF.With this new service, the regulator should thus be able to better track business practices of banks and better focus the control activities.

After the merger of the bank authorities and insurance giving birth to the supervisory authority, the creation of this service, as required by the economy minister, Christine Lagarde, is like a lifeline to investors, including confidence in financial markets has been severely affected by the numerous cases of fraud or scam.

Called Insurance Banking Savings Info Service, is available in a website – www.abs-infoservice.fr – A telephone helpline – 0811901801 – and a postal address – Insurance Banking Savings Info Service, 61 Rue Taitbout; 75,009 Paris.The domestic number is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 6:00 p.m..

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At Microsoft, we talk of "strategic shift". Twenty years after the onset of the first version of Office, its main software, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, become free on the Internet. "We have incorporated new uses coming from the Web, in a business model funded by advertising," Jean-Christophe defends Pity, director of the division office in France.

The software, in their declination Web are accessible from any computer with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Chrome. There is no need to install any software or plugin, even if the extension Silverlight competitor to Flash, is recommended.However, it is essential to have a Windows Live at Microsoft, to create and edit documents, stored on a virtual disk with a capacity of 25 GB

The online tools do not support all functions of the Office suite but a light mode. In Word, for example, inserting tables and images work, like changing font, text alignment and the spellchecker. But the footnotes page can not be changed. Similarly, in PowerPoint, changing graphics is skimpy. And from a mobile or a shelf, only consultation is proposed.

A response to Google

For Microsoft, it was not any way to match the capabilities of traditional software, which will sold from 99 euros payday advance.The more complete versions, installed on the hard drive and connected to the Web for collaborative work, to manage the effects and 3D animation video, editing, and the contour images, make layouts. The Outlook e-mail, intended for professionals, now includes the major social networks including Facebook and LinkedIn.

The free software on the Internet should rather discourage users to migrate to the online office suite from Google, Google Docs, and if possible refer to the charges. Office remains one of the main sources of income for Microsoft. For years now, contributed almost half of its profits last year.If Office totaling half a billion users worldwide, Google has recently surpassed 25 million customers, and gaining ground in enterprises.

Without giving specific numbers, Microsoft expects to France, despite the competition from free, on a "double-digit growth" in sales of Office, says Jean-Christophe Mercy. By the end of the year, "between 80 and 90%" of PC will be sold with the suite preinstalled. An activation key must be purchased to access the software. The early indicators are encouraging. The beta version of Office has been downloaded over 600,000 times in France. Behind the United States, but ahead of all other countries.

New waves of turbulence on Thursday on European equity markets. At closing, the ACC has sold 2.25% to 3432 points in trading volume of over 4.43 billion euros. The London Stock Exchange lost 1.55% at the same time, while the German Dax loose more than 2.2%. Already strained by the very repetition frictions between Paris and Berlin, investors have been demoralized by a poor U.S. statistics: registration weekly unemployment rose against all odds, for the first time since early April in the U.S. during the weeks to 15 May, against 471,000 446,000 the previous week, according to the Department of Labor.

The euro goes down quickly and found $ 1.23, after having taken the day 1.5% up to 1.2414 dollar.The rebound came after the sharp decline of the single currency in the night from Tuesday to Thursday, which has pushed the euro to a new four year more, to 1.2144 dollar.

Christine Lagarde did not hesitate to take the opposite view Thursday of Germany, stating, in contrast to Chancellor Angela Merkel, the euro was "absolutely not" in danger. She also criticized the German ban of short selling of certain financial products, described as "questionable, because there was no prior discussion."

But on substance, they are two different philosophies that are expressed on both sides of the Rhine, experts say, vis-à-vis the economy and Europe: the quasi-religious cult of stability and solidity Monetary and fiscal policy in Germany; tradition of state intervention and boost growth and employment in France.Since the beginning of the crisis in Greek, the largest economy in the euro area has a position of accused in Europe, having been slow to rally to the idea of a bailout.

His German counterpart, said this morning in the Financial Times that he considers the markets "really out of control" and advocates more regulation. Taboos have been broken yet for Germany, as the intervention of the European Central Bank (ECB) in the support system put in place or the rescue of a country in the euro area. And the crisis has, according to experts, everyone take a step towards each other.

L'Oreal stands

On the values front, two titles show up on the CAC 40. This is L'Oreal (2.17%) and France Telecom (+0.10%).

As for cuts, is Alcatel Lucent is the most penalized (-6%), to Vallourec, Arcelor Mittal.

On the SBF 120, it appears as Soitec the red lantern (-9.26% to 8.60 euros): the producer of silicon on insulator for the semiconductor industry confirmed its forecast return to operating breakeven this year, Concentrix off after a current operating loss reduced during the second half of 2009-2010.

In addition, Air France-KLM (-2.12% to 9.40 euros) confirmed anticipate a return to operational balance in 2010-2011 after posting record losses after an exercise she calls it himself as "annus horribilis." Franco Dutch airline, which renounces propose an annual dividend, also undergoes an early exercise sealed by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjöll.

Credit Agricole (-3.07% to 9.09 euros) was no surprise on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Jean-Marie Sander as his successor Rene Carron as president of the bank, marking the arrival of a new tandem leaders the head of the listed vehicle of mutual group.

Sanofi-Aventis (-1.25% to 47.38 euros): Brazil has given the green light to redeem Medley by the pharmaceutical company for 500 million euros.

The Board of Directors and the two main shareholders of Sperian have agreed to repurchase the company specialized in personal protective equipment by the industry group American Honeywell for $ 1.4 billion. The shares are still suspended from trading.

The card was launched on May 3 to allow punters to play without cash.