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Carrefour, which announced results in line with its forecasts in the first half, on Tuesday confirmed its guidance for full year 2010 thanks to the dynamism in emerging countries, while expressing disappointment in the sales of July .

The number two worldwide in distribution, after Wal-Mart, reported a net profit of 82 million for the first six months of the year against a loss a year earlier.

Its operating profit stood at 1.096 billion euros over the period, according to the prediction of Carrefour in mid-July.

The group at the same time reiterated that it was an ordinary profit of 3.1 billion for all 2010.

"We are on track to achieve our 2010 targets," said Lars Olofsson, Executive Director of Carrefour, at a conference presentation of results.

"We're quite pleased with the sales in July, a little disappointed by sales cons of August, for his part said Pierre Bouchut, the group finance director of distribution, during a conference call. "The trend in emerging markets remains strong."

Around 9:50, after having opened down nearly 2%, the action Carrefour did not yield more than 0.3% to 36.00 euros.She is spending time in positive territory for the sole and increasing value within the CAC 40 index.

Since the beginning of the year, the title was up over 7%.

"The first half is in line with forecasts of July 15, 2010 target is unchanged and our point of view, (Crossroads, Ed) is a title" on hold "with a value greater than in the rest of the industry "said Justin Scarborough, analyst at Royal Bank of Scotland.

NO COMMENTS ON THE ASIAN ASSETS

Over the half, Carrefour has benefited from the dynamism of emerging economies to reach a turnover up 6% to 41.3 billion euros, offsetting a contraction in sales in Europe, mainly France, Belgium, Spain and Italy, as well as in other countries of southern Europe such as Greece or Romania.

Sales fell 0.4% in France and 3.1% in the rest of Europe. At constant exchange rates, they climbed 16% in Latin America and 8.9% in Asia.

The group, which seeks to save 4.5 billion euros over three years to improve its margins, also points to have reduced its costs by 236 million euros in the first half of the year, a target of 500 million euro per 2010.

Asked about the Asian assets of the group, Pierre Bouchut has refused to comment on reports about a possible sale of assets Malaysian, Thai and Singaporean group.

"We do not comment on such rumors," said the CFO.'Our goal is to build on certain markets and, over time, probably, to take the decision to abandon certain other markets. "

"At what point will we take this decision? Will we really?" Everything remains open, "he added.

According to several sources, Carrefour tries to sell its assets in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore to focus its efforts on China and India.

This could generate some 800 million euros in the French distributor.

PTT, Thailand first group in the energy sector, has already expressed interest in taking over the assets in Thailand.

Airbus confirmed on Friday after putting the A350 into service in 2013, refusing to comment on information Voices reports of a lowering of its forecast production rates.

A spokesman for the aircraft manufacturer has also confirmed the expected rise in production rates of the A320, but confirmed the target of 90 A320s and Airbus A330s by 2012 raised by The Tribune.

EADS shares, the parent company of Airbus, accusing one of the strongest declines the CAC 40 on Friday morning in response to information Voices, falling 2.95% to 17.42 euros at 10:20 am.

"This news is not good, although it has yet to be confirmed.But frankly, people use this as an excuse to take profits because the stock has outperformed for a while, "said one trader in Paris.

The date of first delivery of the A350, whose CEO of EADS Louis Welsh was declared in late July that it was still attached to the summer of 2013, remains one of the great questions of the moment.

"The goal of entry into service in 2013 remains," said a spokesman for Airbus. "We have contracts with customers and we work to achieve them."

According to Les Echos, the latest forecasts expect rates on 10 aircraft in 2013, 40 in 2014 and 60 in 2015.Launching the program in 2007, the stated objectives were 18 planes in 2013, 51 in 2014 and 83 in 2015, more than 42 copies in the new forecast.

The daily added that the review of sub-contractors, these forecasts are still overvalued.

For 2016 however, the initial target of 120 aircraft has been maintained, said the daily.

Arnaud Lagardère, general partner of the eponymous group which still owns 7.5% of EADS, said Thursday he wanted to first ensure that the program of the future Airbus A350 was well underway before leaving the group's capital .

Boeing has announced that alongside the delivery of its first 787 Dreamliner was postponed in the first quarter 2011, due to a delay in availability of engines.

RISE IN POWER OF THE A320

The Tribune said his side could produce 90 Airbus A320 medium-haul and long haul Airbus A330s by 2012 for a total additional revenue of nine billion dollars (7.1 billion euros), bringing the rates production levels envisaged in 2008, before the crisis.

These data follow a crop of orders for Airbus at the Farnborough Air Show in June, when air traffic takes off.

Airbus has already announced it would increase its monthly production of A320 34-36 units by the end of 2010, this rate could increase to 38 from mid-2011 and 40 from early 2012, says the newspaper, without citing sources.

This rise of 72 aircraft would increase the annual production of the A320 compared to today, an additional turnover of over 5.6 billion dollars (4.4 billion euros) at list prices.

Airbus plans to build more parallel A330s each month. After announcing the passage of 7.5 to eight aircraft per month in early 2011, the manufacturer could produce nine in 2012, said La Tribune.

This would represent 18 additional aircraft from 2010, worth 3.5 billion dollars.

The manufacturer, who must make decisions about hiring in the fall, also relies on his 21 deliveries of the A380 jumbo jets scheduled for 2010 in line with its goal of at least 20 units, the newspaper said.

American International Group (AIG) is expected to decide by early next week if he enters into formal negotiations with strategic investors for AIA, its Asian subsidiary life insurance, it was learned Wednesday from sources near process.

The establishment of a deadline for submission of bids by U.S. insurer AIG could finally shows consider introducing its Asian subsidiary of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in the fourth quarter of the year, but that an outside investor is entering the capital AIA ago.

Some Chinese investors have nevertheless expressed their interest in acquiring a stake in AIA before its IPO, which would allow it to recover about U.S. $ 15 billion (12 billion euros).

Given the short time remaining, it is unlikely that a significant agreement is reached before the start of the procedure prior to an IPO.

"The train ahead of the IPO rather quickly.This means that the possibility to stop it is limited to a strategic investor wishing to report to the Board, examine accounts and negotiate the price, "said one source familiar with the matter.

SEVERAL CHINESE GROUPS INTERESTED

AIG was not immediately available for comment.

Three to four consortia consisting of Chinese investors have approached AIG offering to take stakes in AIA before its IPO, said one source.

Some consortia have expressed interest to take between 10% and 30% stake in AIA, said the sources interviewed.

These have however said AIG is focused solely on an IPO while strategic investors do not constitute a decisive element of the process.

The press had previously cited the names of China Life Insurance, Ping An, Cinda Asset Management Fosun Group, Hony Capital and Alibaba.com among potential suitors for a strategic stake in AIA.

AIG should be mandated Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as international coordinators of the IPO of its subsidiary, had previously been learned from several sources.

Generally the interests sold before the IPO are priced downgraded which is then used to refer to that of the IPO.

Such a transaction could facilitate the sale of the remaining capital from traditional institutions and funds.

If the proposed IPO of AIA is realized, it could be the largest ever conducted on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and would allow AIG to repay a portion of public funds injected into the U.S. insurer in 2008.

China Construction Bank (CCB) has risen higher than expected quarterly profit, while the second largest bank in the world in terms of market capitalization will raise about 8.5 billion euros at year end.

CWB has achieved during the second quarter ended June net profit of 35.6 billion yuan (4 billion euros), against 29.6 billion yuan for the same period a year earlier.

This 20% increase in quarterly earnings of the bank is higher than anticipated by analysts to Reuters, who on average expected a profit up 16% to 34.3 billion yuan.

"The growth is higher than I expected," said Jin Lin, an analyst at Orient Securities."The development of credit will be the main driver of profit growth for banks in the future and the annual growth will average about 15% for the sector."

In contrast, the increase of group profits has slowed from the first quarter, as the period from January to March, CCB has posted a 34% increase in net profit, which presage the challenges ahead for the establishment in the second semester.

"On one side (…) environment for international operations was relaxed, with excellent opportunities to develop new business," said the bank 11% owned by Bank of America, in a statement.

"On the other hand, given the difficult situation of market liquidity and volatility of financial markets, development of sites will be more difficult and the pressures associated with control of regulators and competition will increasing requirements of managerial skills. "

For the first six months of the year, earnings of CCB increased by 27%, far less than the 60% increase recorded for the same period by China Merchants Bank and the doubling of profit Everbright Bank.

Earlier this month, sources familiar with direct knowledge of the case have told Reuters that CCB had accelerated its plans to increase capital by 75 billion yuan in Shanghai and Hong Kong early in the fourth quarter.

The Paris Bourse was up slightly in early trading Thursday, in a market dominated by a wait before the rate decisions from the European Central Bank and Bank of England.

Around 9:15 am, the CAC 40 rose 0.15% to 3766.18 points.

Lagardère, the largest increase in ACC, after gaining 1.72% RBS increased the purchase on the title.

Michelin, which had already taken more than 8% since the beginning of the week, ahead even of 1.14% to 64.20 euros.S & P Equity Research raised its target price of 62-73 euros with a board of purchase.

EDF, which had climbed 5.5% Wednesday after the announcement of an imminent increase in electricity rates, yields 0.47%.

Out ACC, SSII Sopra is 2.52% after its interim results up and confirmation of its 2010 targets.

Other major European markets are also reluctant: London (-0.04%) and Frankfurt (-0.03%) are almost in balance. As for the European indices, the EuroStoxx 50 is unchanged (-0,01%) and back slightly Eurofirst 300 (-0.08%).

The euro was steady at around 1.3125 dollars after losing a little ground Wednesday. U.S. light crude is practically stable and treated around 82.30 dollars a barrel.

Citigroup reported Friday a net profit of 2.7 billion dollars for the second quarter, down 37% year on year, due to lower revenue in the banking business.

Per diluted share, net income stood at 9 cents.

In the second quarter of 2009, net income was set at 4.28 billion dollars or 49 cents per share.

Analysts on average expected a profit of 5 cents per share excluding exceptional items for the second quarter, according to Reuters Estimates.It is not known if the EPS of 9 cents can be compared to the consensus of 5 cents.

The bank, which the U.S. government is a shareholder, said its credit losses are down for the fourth consecutive quarter.

In pre-market value fell by 2.2% to 4.07 dollars.

The World Group announced Monday it had received two takeover bids and a mark of interest.

The first offer comes from the CEO of the Nouvel Observateur allied to the Spanish group Prisa and France Telecom, the company said in a news release.

The second offer from a consortium of philanthropist Pierre Berge, the banker Matthew and businessman Xavier Niel.

The "expression of interest" from the Multimedia Group income.

The Le Monde group added that its supervisory board would nominate a candidate June 28

General meetings of company personnel who have a veto are scheduled for 24 and 25 June

The National Assembly passed the night of Monday to Tuesday, the French plan for emergency aid to Greece, 16.8 billion euros in bilateral loans over three years, of which 3.9 billion in 2010, A total of 110 billion announced Sunday by the EU and the IMF. Unusually, the UMP and the Socialist Party voted together for the loan at 5% for the financial rescue of Greece. Only members PCF and the Left Party, and Nicolas Dupont-Aignan (Arise the Republic, former UMP), voted against.

The bill amending finance (Budget Act) was passed by show of hands without amendment, after an evening of discussion. The text is now starting a shuttle to the Senate for final approval, probably Thursday. France, like other European countries and the IMF, must move fast to fight against market speculation on the Greek debt.It also requires Greece to honor the time for repayment of its debt on May 19 The contribution of France represents 20.7% using the EU (80 billion euros, plus 30 of the IMF, ie 110 in total). This contribution has been multiplied almost by three this weekend at the meeting of economic ministers of the euro area.

In his speech to the Assembly, the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde said she would be "extremely vigilant" about the implementation of austerity measures taken by the Greek government in return for the aid plan concluded Sunday Brussels (deletion of the thirteenth and fourteenth month in the civil service, VAT increase, decrease in the departure of the retirement age …). "It is not a gift or grant. It lends at a rate of about 5% fixed rate," said the minister.

Read also: aid to Greece, the best deal from lenders

"To discourage speculators"

Unsurprisingly, the UMP has fully supported the government: "It is a plan whose scope will help deter speculators," said the spokesman for the UMP for the Budget, Jerome Chen, welcoming the first major policy decision of the euro area ".

Even more rare, the Socialist Party (PS) also voted with the government and his majority: "I do not support the government, I support Greece and I support the euro. We're not there in a left-right debate We're here in a European debate and policy debate, "said the former first secretary of the PS, François Hollande.

The spokesman Benoit Hamon PS, which is not a member, however, said that his party voted "aid to Greece but not the austerity plan" imposed on the Greeks.PS The President of the Committee on Finance, Jerome Cahuzac, and other elected officials have also asked for a rate of 5% too high for them: "We made a little profit on the backs of the misery of a people "(Christian Eckert, PS).

Facing the CPF and twenty deputies Left Front voted against the plan, "because it comes with creditors who have put Greece in a terrible situation by extending loans at high rates ( Jean-Pierre Brard).

On the right, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan (Arise the Republic, former UMP) also voted "against the false rescue plan that has any plan to scuttle". He believed that the austerity imposed on Greece would "kill" save this country without the euro, calling for the release of the single currency Athens.

The Thales group has been sentenced by a tribunal in Paris to repay hundreds of millions of dollars in litigation on Taiwan frigates, said Monday the AFP Thales and a source familiar with the matter confirmed a report in Le Figaro.

By this decision, the arbitral tribunal (three judges selected by agreement by both parties) condemns Thales to repay overpaid commissions to middlemen to get the contract for sale of six frigates to Taiwan by France in 1991.

"The award was notified today (Monday, editor's note) to Thales in Paris by an international tribunal. Thales was ordered to pay damages.It is notified of a total and we will specify in the evening figures concerning Thales ", told AFP a spokesman of the group.

According to Le Figaro, Thales will pay 591 million dollars, a sum plus interest and costs of arbitration, which should be about one billion dollars.

Article 18 of the contract "Bravo", codename file frigates, explicitly prohibited from paying intermediaries under penalty of restitution payments made in Taiwan.

But an investigation by a Swiss magistrate found that substantial sums had been paid by Thomson-CSF (now Thales) to intermediaries whose principal, Andrew Wang, had been asked to persuade Taiwan to choose the French ships. The Swiss court has blocked 520 million belonging to Mr.Wang.

This discovery has led Taiwan to enter an arbitration tribunal in 2001 for the reimbursement of fees.

Although Thales has been a leader in the contract "Bravo", 70% of the contract frigates returned to the Directorate of Naval Construction (DCN), a public company and whose intervention in the contract was guaranteed by the state.

According to several sources familiar with the situation who spoke before the decision notified on Monday, if convicted of Thales, the state would have to pay 70% of the total sum claimed to Thales.