European Factors-Shares seen broadly lower; focus on charts

LONDON, July 29 (Reuters) – European shares are likely to
open flat to lower on Thursday, mirroring losses in Asia and on Wall Street,
with investors seen cautious following weak U.S. data and the market’s failure
to break key resistance levels.

According to financial bookmakers, Britain’s FTSE 100 .FTSE was expected
to open 6 to 11 points lower, Germany’s DAX .GDAXI was seen opening almost
flat and France’s CAC 40 .FCHI was expected to fall 9 to 14 points.

U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday after weak durable goods figures and a
downbeat assessment of the economy from the Fed’s Beige Book kept the benchmark
S&P 500 trapped below its 200-day moving average.

“U.S. economic data remains something of a concern for equity traders across
the globe with both the Fed’s beige book and the durable goods order numbers
released yesterday adding to the ongoing theme of disappointment here,” said Ben
Potter, research analyst at IG Markets.

“With August around the corner and Europe slowing down for the summer, it’s
all too easy to start thinking that an air of indifference may be about to grip
the markets.”

The FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares closed 0.3
percent lower at 1,050.88 points on Wednesday, after rising by as much as 0.7
percent in early trade. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei fell 0.4 percent on Thursday.

———————-MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 0510 GMT———————-

LAST PCT CHG NET CHG

S&P 500 .SPX 1,106.13 -0.69 % -7.71

NIKKEI .N225 9,711.31 -0.43 % -41.96

MSCI ASIA EX-JP .MIASJ0000PUS 486.79 -0.05 % -0.24

EUR/USD EUR= 1.3011 0.19 % 0.0025

USD/JPY JPY= 87.18 -0.18 % -0.1600

10-YR US TSY YLD US10YT=RR 2.989 — -0.01

10-YR BUND YLD EU10YT=RR 2.728 — -0.02

SPOT GOLD XAU= $1,165.60 0.26 % $3.05

US CRUDE CLc1 $77.08 0.12 % 0.09

———————————————————————–

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia shares retreat from highs, dollar dips [ID:nTOE66S007]

* Wall St ends lower after weak durable goods orders data [ID:nN28215774]

* Nikkei falls 0.5 pct after rally; Panasonic drops [ID:nTOE66S02I]

* FOREX-Euro dips vs yen on Japan exporter selling [ID:nTOE66S034]

* TREASURIES-Firm in Asia after strong auction [ID:nTOE66S02F]

* Oil steady near $77 after sharp U.S. inventory gain [ID:nSGE66S06Z]

* PRECIOUS-Gold regains strength on dollar; ETF drops [ID:nSGE66S00S]

* METALS-Copper inches lower as economic uncertainties weigh [ID:nTOE66S02T]

(Reporting by Atul Prakash; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)

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* First-half revenue: €220 million, down 14% compared with H1 2009

* Impact of commercial real estate and block sales to Spanish banks in 2009
* Housing revenue in France up 5% vs. H1 2009

* Orders

* Excellent second-quarter sales in France with orders totaling €119 million
* Smaller contribution from block sales compared with H1 2009

* Backlog up 21% since year-end 2009
* Rebuilding the land potential in France: up 120% year on year

PARIS–(Business Wire)–
Regulatory News:

LES NOUVEAUX CONSTRUCTEURS (Paris:LNC), a leading European residential real
estate developer, today released its review of the six months that ended June
30, 2010.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (in € millions) H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
Net revenue 220 255 -14%
Orders (including VAT) 294 342 -14%
Backlog, net (at June 30) 552 637 -13%
Land potential, net (at June 30) 958 666 +44%

Olivier Mitterrand, Chairman of the Management Board, said:

“The strong demand for housing in France noted in 2009 carried over into
first-half 2010. Given this situation, LNC continued to build up its land
potential in France, which has more than doubled over the past 12 months. This
in turn has enabled us to rebuild our product portfolio, leading to a number of
major program launches during the second quarter. In fact, there were as many
launches over this period as in all of 2009.”

REVENUE

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, LNC revenue totaled €220 million, a
decline of 14% from the prior-year period.

REVENUE BY OPERATING SEGMENT

In € millions excl. VAT H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
France 145.9 160.0 -9%
Of which housing 129.1 123.1 +5%
Of which commercial real estate 16.8 36.9 -55%
Spain 26.9 44.1 -39%
Germany 46.0 48.4 -5%
Of which Concept Bau-Premier 15.1 25.2 -40%
Of which Zapf* 30.9 23.2 +33%
Other countries 1.2 2.6 -54%
Total 220.0 255.0 -14%

*Zapf, which was 50% proportionally consolidated until April 30, 2009, has been
fully consolidated since May 1, 2009.

In France, first-half 2010 revenue totaled €145.9 million, down 9% from the
prior-year period. The decline was mainly due to the sharp reduction in revenue
from the commercial real estate business with the completion of the Copernic 2
program in late 2009.

Housing revenue on the other hand rose by 5% compared with first-half 2009,
thanks in particular to the first-time consolidation of Dominium. The new
subsidiary contributed €7 million to revenue for the period.

In Spain, revenue for the first six months amounted to €26.9 million, down 39%
from the prior-year period. Premier España delivered 88 homes in first-half
2010, compared with 128 in the first six months of 2009. The decline was due to
a high basis of comparison for second-quarter 2009, when four lots and 53
housing units were sold to a bank for €27.5 million. Excluding the impact of
this transaction, first-half 2010 revenue was up approximately 62%.

In Germany, revenue from Concept Bau-Premier totaled €15.1 million, compared
with €25.2 million in first-half 2009 as the company delivered only 43 homes in
the first six months of 2010, versus 70 in the prior-year period.

Revenue from Zapf amounted to €30.9 million, compared with €23.2 million in
first-half 2009, during which the company was 50% proportionally consolidated
for four months. This means that on a comparable basis, business was practically
the same for the two periods.

BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

Orders were down 14% in value and 17% in volume year on year, mainly due to a
high basis of comparison stemming from the large number of block sales in
France, Spain and Germany in first-half 2009.

However, orders in second-quarter 2010 were up sharply compared with the first
three months of the year, rising approximately 55% in volume and 53% in value.

ORDERS – HOUSING

In € millions incl. VAT H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
France 195 206 -6%
Of which individual homebuyers 170 155 +9%
Of which block sales 25 51 -51%
Spain 29 23 +29%
Germany 58 105 -45%
Of which Concept Bau-Premier 30 68 -56%
Of which Zapf 28 37 -25%
Other countries 12 8 +51%
Total 294 342 -14%

In France, first-half 2010 orders declined 18% in volume but only 6% in value
versus the prior-year period. The difference was due mainly to the large number
of block sales in first-half 2009, which totaled 316 housing units versus just
155 in the first six months of 2010. The Company`s strategy produced results in
the second quarter with the launch of 14 new programs, compared with 13 for all
of 2009.

Excluding block sales, first-half sales to individual homebuyers declined by 4%
year on year to 688 units but rose by 9% in value because of higher average unit
prices.

Buy-to-let sales accounted for 45% of sales to private buyers in first-half
2010, versus 55% for full-year 2009.

In Spain, the subsidiary had 11 programs on the market at June 30, 2010,
compared with 12 one year earlier. Sales to private buyers rose by 134% to 138
units in first-half 2010, from 59 units in the first six months of 2009. This
sharp increase reflects the success of affordable housing programs in Madrid,
which represented 67 units. Other orders concerned 55 completed housing units
and 16 off-plan purchases.

No block sales have been carried out in 2010, compared with 48 in first-half
2009.

Premier España had 127 completed homes that were unsold as of June 30, 2010,
compared with 164 units three months earlier. Selling these homes remains the
subsidiary`s top priority.

In Germany, Concept Bau-Premier booked 70 orders in first-half 2010 versus 215
for the prior-year period. The substantial decline was due mainly to a high
basis of comparison in first-quarter 2009, when 91 units in Munich were sold as
a block to an institutional investor for approximately €24 million.

Zapf`s first-half 2010 sales totaled €28.4 million, compared with €37.7 million
for the year-earlier period. The decrease reflects the gradual discontinuation
of Zapf`s property development business as part of the restructuring plan.

BACKLOG

At June 30, 2010, net backlog amounted to €552 million, down 13% from one year
earlier but up around 21% from December 31, 2009.

Housing backlog totaled €533 million or 11.6 months of business based on housing
revenue over the past 12 months, versus 9 months of business at year-end 2009.

BACKLOG AT JUNE 30

In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009 Change
France 341 408 -16%
Of which housing 322 334 -4%
Of which commercial real estate 19 74 -74%
Spain 43 40 +7%
Germany 153 178 -14%
Of which Concept Bau-Premier 75 98 -23%
Of which Zapf 78 80 -2%
Other countries 15 11 +36%
Total 552 637 -13%

In France, backlog at end-June 2010 came to €341 million, €67 million lower than
one year earlier but €42 million higher than the €299 million recorded at
December 31, 2009.

Housing backlog was down a slight €12 million year-on-year but up €57 million
from year-end 2009, due mainly to the contribution of Dominium. Consolidated as
from January 1, 2010, the new subsidiary added €29 million to backlog at June
30, 2010. With no new orders received since the completion of the Copernic 2
program, commercial real estate backlog was down €55 million compared with June
30, 2009.

In Spain, backlog amounted to €43 million at June 30, 2010, up 7% from one year
earlier. It included €20 million in orders for two affordable housing programs
in Madrid and €9 million for homes under lease with an option to buy.

In Germany, backlog stood at €153 million at end-June 2010. Backlog for Concept
Bau-Premier was €23 million lower than at June 30, 2009 but €15 million higher
than at year-end 2009. Zapf`s backlog rose by €28 million compared with December
31, 2009, of which one-third for the garage business and two-thirds for the
construction business.

LAND POTENTIAL

At June 30, 2010, LNC`s housing land potential came to €958 million (excluding
VAT). This represents 4,768 housing units, an increase of 68% from one year
earlier when the housing land potential totaled 2,845 units. Based on housing
revenue over the past 12 months, this represents 1.7 years of business.

CONFIRMED LAND POTENTIAL AT JUNE 30 – RESIDENTIAL

In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009 Change
France 684 311 +120%
Spain 116 145 -20%
Germany 143 193 -26%
Of which Concept Bau-Premier 142 146 -2%
Of which Zapf 1 47 -98%
Other countries 15 17 -16%
Total 958 666 +44%

En France, LNC continued to build up its land potential in second-quarter 2010,
signing 15 new land purchase agreements representing 903 housing units during
the period. In one year, the land potential more than doubled to 3,757 housing
units at June 30, 2010 from 1,613 units at end-June 2009.

In Spain, the land potential stood at 502 housing units at June 30, 2010, versus
539 units one year earlier. The number of unsold, completed units declined to
127 from 167 one year earlier. In second-quarter 2010, LNC purchased two lots in
the Madrid area for affordable housing programs representing a total of 124
units.

At June 30, 2010, only four lots were intentionally being kept off the market,
compared with seven one year earlier.

The elimination of Zapf`s land potential was due to the discontinuation of its
property development business.

OUTLOOK

Since the beginning of 2009, LNC`s strategic priority has been to build up its
land potential. In first-half 2010, these efforts produced results as the land
potential at June 30 was on a par with year-end 2007. During the first six
months of the year, new program launches were actively pursued and, more
generally, the product portfolio was rebuilt. LNC is continuing to purchase lots
while diligently complying with its land acquisition criteria.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

* First-half 2010 earnings report: Thursday, September 30, 2010, (before the
opening of the NYSE-Euronext Paris stock exchange).

LES NOUVEAUX CONSTRUCTEURS

Les Nouveaux Constructeurs, founded by Olivier Mitterrand, is a leading
developer of new housing, as well as offices, in France and two other European
countries.

Since 1972, Les Nouveaux Constructeurs has delivered nearly 60,000 apartments
and single-family homes in approximately 200 cities in France and abroad. Its
operations in France`s five largest metropolitan areas and high-quality programs
have made Les Nouveaux Constructeurs one of the most well known names in the
industry.

Building on its solid footprint in France, the Company is deploying an
innovative development strategy, with operations in two other European Union
countries.

Les Nouveaux Constructeurs has been listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris,
compartment C, since November 16, 2006 (code LNC; ISIN code: FR0004023208).

All LNC press releases are posted on its website at:

http://www.lesnouveauxconstructeurs.fr/fr/communiques

APPENDIXES

QUARTERLY REVENUE – BY COUNTRY

In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
France (Housing) 52.7 76.4 46.7 76.4 68.2 116.3
France (Commercial real estate) 6.5 10.3 14.5 22.4 18.7 27.0
Spain 16.0 10.9 7.0 37.1 13.6 6.3
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 12.6 2.5 10.3 14.9 11.2 54.0
Germany (Zapf) 10.2 20.7 5.3 17.9 30.4 44.0
Other countries 0.4 0.8 0.8 1.8 0.8 3.4
Total 98.4 121.6 84.6 170.4 142.9 251.1

AVERAGE UNIT PRICE – HOUSING ORDERS

In € thousands incl. VAT H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
France – Including block sales (1) 231 200 +15%
France – Excluding block sales(1) 247 218 +13%
Spain(2) 212 211 +0%
Germany(3) 236 277 -15%
Other countries(4) 108 91 +18%
LNC 220 214 +3%

(1) Including VAT of 5.5% or 19.6% (2) Including VAT of 7% for first-time home
buyers (3) No VAT (4) Including 10% sales tax in Indonesia

NUMBER OF HOUSING ORDERS, NET

Number of units H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
France 843 1,030 -18%
Spain 138 107* +29%
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 70 215 -67%
Germany (Zapf) 178 165 +8%
Other countries 107 84 +27%
Total 1,336 1,601 -17%

*Of which 48 units through the sale to a bank subsidiary

QUARTERLY HOUSING ORDERS BY COUNTRY

In € millions incl. VAT 2010 2009
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
France 76 119 113 94 78 69
Spain 15 14 6 17 7 7
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 13 17 44 23 15 12
Germany (Zapf) 9 19 14 24 16 7
Other countries 3 8 3 4 4 6
Total 116 178 180 162 120 101

BACKLOG BY QUARTER (PERIOD END)

In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
France (Housing) 297 322 338 334 326 265
France (Commercial real estate) 28 19 95 74 57 34
Spain 42 43 48 40 36 38
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 60 75 89 98 101 60
Germany (Zapf) 57 78 68 80 77 51
Other countries 10 15 10 11 11 8
Total 494 552 648 637 608 455

LAND POTENTIAL AT JUNE 30

Number of units 2010 2009 Change
France 3,757 1,613 +133%
Spain 502 539 -7%
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 370 360 +3%
Germany (Zapf) 3 135 -98%
Other countries 136 198 -32%
Total 4,768 2,845 +68%

Excluding commercial real estate

LAND POTENTIAL BY QUARTER (PERIOD END)

In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
France 617 684 365 311 355 568
Spain 116 116 173 145 138 134
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 162 142 158 146 132 141
Germany (Zapf) 2 1 54 47 37 3
Other countries 12 15 21 17 16 12
Total 909 958 770 666 678 858

Excluding commercial real estate

DISCLAIMER

The statements on which the Company objectives are based may contain
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties regarding the economic, financial, competitive, and regulatory
environment and the completion of investment programs and asset transfers. In
addition, the occurrence of certain risks [see chapter 4 in the Document de Base
registered with the French Stock Exchange Commission (AMF) under number
I.06-155] could affect the business of the Company and its financial
performance. Moreover, the achievement of the objectives supposes the success of
the marketing strategy of the Company (see chapter 6 of the Document de Base).
Therefore, the Company hereby makes no commitment nor gives any guarantee as to
the fulfillment of objectives. The Company does not undertake to update any
forward-looking statement subject to the respect of the principles of the
permanent information as provided by articles 221-1 et seq. of AMF`s general
regulations.

Investor Relations
Les Nouveaux Constructeurs
Ronan Arzel, + 33 (0)1 45 38 45 29
Vice President
rarzel@lncsa.fr
or
LT Value
Investor Relations
Nancy Levain / Maryline Jarnoux-Sorin, +33 (0)1 44 50 39 30
nancy.levain@ltvalue.com
maryline.jarnoux-sorin@ltvalue.com
or
Media
Cap & Cime
Financial Media
Capucine de Fouquières, + 33 (0)6 09 46 77 33
capucine@capetcime.fr
or
Real Estate Media
Virginie Hunzinger, + 33 (0)1 55 35 08 18
+ 33 (0)6 10 34 52 81
vhunzinger@capetcime.fr

European shares rise; UBS rally on strong earnings

July 27 (Reuters) – European shares rose in early trade on Tuesday, adding to gains after closing at a five-week high a day earlier, with banks rallying after strong results from UBS (UBSN.VX).

By 0709 GMT, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top shares was up 0.4 percent at 1,053.38 points, and touched its highest intraday level since June 22.

UBS rose 7.2 percent as the bank said strong equities and currency revenues drove second-quarter net profit well above forecasts. [ID:nLDE66P0CS]

Banking shares .SX7P featured among the biggest gainers, with Barclays (BARC.L), Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) and BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) up 2.1 to 5.4 percent.

“Expectations are rising for earnings. Companies are guiding full-year forecasts up in spite of concerns about a loss of recovery momentum … and that is helping to keep these markets reasonably firm,” said Mike Lenhoff, chief strategist at Brewin Dolphin.

Among other companies reporting earnings, BP (BP.L) said it would take a charge as a result of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill amounting to $32.2 billion, driving it to a second quarter loss of $16.97 billion, and also announced that chief executive Tony Hayward will step down on Oct. 1 and will be replaced by fellow executive Robert Dudley. The stock added 0.5 percent. [ID:nWLA9308] (Reporting by Harpreet Bhal)

S.Africa’s rand holds firm vs dlr, futures edge up

JOHANNESBURG, July 27 (Reuters) – South Africa’s rand touched a 3-month high against the dollar on Tuesday and looked set to hold its ground, helped by firmer stocks and speculation of a possible purchase of local group Nedbank by HSBC.

The JSE’s Top-40 September futures contract ALSIc1 ticked up just 0.17 percent ahead of the start of trade on the local bourse at 0700 GMT. European shares looked set to open flat after reaching a five-week high in the previous session.

At 0642 GMT the rand ZAR=D3 traded at 7.3460 to the greenback, off just 0.08 percent from Monday’s close at 7.3400.

The domestic currency briefly flirted with 7.3201/dollar earlier on Tuesday, the strongest it has been since April 30, Reuters data shows.

“I think there’s some interim support around these levels of 7.33/34, but overall there’s still very positive equity markets and positive sentiment,” foreign currency dealer based in Johannesburg said.

“Combined with rumours of some more FDI … with foreign suitors for Nedbank, the rands looks to be in good shape. I think that resistence will now come in at 7.38/40 and in this move we should target around lower 7.20′s.”

Government bonds were firmer in earlier trade, pulling the yield on the benchmark 2015 ZAR157= note three basis points lower to 7.60 percent hile that for the longer-dated 2036 ZAR209= dipped half a basis point to 8.64 percent. (Reporting by Stella Mapenzauswa; Editing by Patrick Graham)

Futures point to flat open for European shares

July 27 (Reuters) – European shares were set for a flat open on Tuesday, having hit a five-week closing high in the previous session, and with investors digesting a raft of corporate earnings, including BP (BP.L) and UBS (UBSN.VX).

At 0607 GMT, futures for the STOXX Europe 50 STXEc1 were down 0.1 percent. Futures for Germany’s DAX FDXc1 were flat and those for France’s CAC FCEc1 were down 0.1 percent.

(Reporting by Brian Gorman)

European shares rise in early trade; BP gains

July 13 (Reuters) – European shares edged up in early trade on Tuesday, extending a rally into a sixth session, after Alcoa (AA.N) got the second-quarter U.S. earnings season off to a strong start.

By 0713 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was up 0.4 percent at 1,029.52 points, after rising 0.4 percent in the previous session, its fifth straight day of gains.

Alcoa, the largest U.S. aluminium producer, lifted its outlook for global consumption of the metal and posted surprisingly strong quarterly results, fuelling optimism that others will follow suit in this reporting season.

“Alcoa was better than expected but markets are waiting for the real flow of information as earnings season hasn’t really got going yet,” said Bernard McAlinden, investment strategist at NCB Stockbrokers in Dublin.

BP (BP.L) rose 2.7 percent, extending a recent gain that saw the shares close at their highest in more than a month on Monday.

The company hopes to finally arrest the flow of oil spewing from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico, after the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. (Reporting by Brian Gorman)

European shares set to rise after Alcoa results

July 13 (Reuters) – European shares were set to rise for the sixth straight day on Tuesday, with sentiment supported by stronger-than-expected quarterly profit from U.S. firm Alcoa (AA.N), which reported earnings after U.S. markets closed.

Financial spreadbetters expected Britain’s FTSE 100 .FTSE to open between 25 and 35 points higher, or up 0.7 percent; Germany’s DAX .GDAXI was seen opening up 11 to 21 points, or up 0.4 percent and France’s CAC 40 .FCHI was expected to open 17 to 18 points higher, or 0.5 percent higher.

The FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of leading European shares rose 0.4 percent to close at 1,025.76 points on Monday. (Reporting by Harpreet Bhal)

European shares turn negative; miners slip

July 12 (Reuters) – European shares turned negative on Monday as miners lost ground, tracking weaker metals prices, after weekend data showed China’s June copper imports fell short of expectations, though overall data surprised on the upside.

At 0719 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was down 0.2 percent at 1,020.16 points after opening slightly higher.

Miners were among the biggest decliners, with BHP Billiton (BLT.L), Anglo American (AAL.L) and Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC.L) falling 0.5 to 1 percent.

(Reporting by Atul Prakash)

European shares turn negative; miners slip

July 12 (Reuters) – European shares turned negative on Monday as miners lost ground, tracking weaker metals prices, after weekend data showed China’s June copper imports fell short of expectations, though overall data surprised on the upside.

At 0719 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was down 0.2 percent at 1,020.16 points after opening slightly higher.

Miners were among the biggest decliners, with BHP Billiton (BLT.L), Anglo American (AAL.L) and Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC.L) falling 0.5 to 1 percent.

(Reporting by Atul Prakash)

European shares rise in early trade; banks gain

July 9 (Reuters) – European shares rose in early trade on Friday, tracking gains on Wall Street, which was boosted by jobless claims falling and a handful of large retailers reporting solid sales.

At 0706 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was up 0.6 percent at 1,021.19 points, after rising 5.1 percent in the previous three sessions.

“We’ve had better information this week, such as German exports, offsetting some of the worries about China slowing down. China will slow down, but it’s not going to stop,” said Justin Urquhart Stewart, director at Seven Investment Management. In a broad rally, the heavyweight banking sector was among the gainers, with the STOXX Europe 600 banking index .SX7P up 0.7 percent. The index is up more than 9 percent this week, on optimism that banks will pass stress tests, and after State Street (STT.N) said its earnings would beat forecasts.

Gainers included BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA), BBVA (BBVA.MC) and Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA), up between 1 and 1.4 percent. (Reporting by Brian Gorman)

GREECE – Factors to Watch on July 6

July 6 (Reuters) – Here are news stories, press reports and events which may affect Greek financial markets on Tuesday:

GREEK FINMIN CONFIDENT ON DEFICIT TARGETS, RISKS REMAIN

Greece is confident it will meet its target to cut the budget deficit by 40 percent to 8.1 percent of economic output this year but risks remain on revenue growth targets, its Finance Minister said on Monday. [ID:nLDE6640W0]

GREECE’S CASH DEFICIT DOWN 41.8 PCT Y/Y IN H1-CENBANK

Greece’s cash deficit shrank 41.8 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2010, meaning a lower net borrowing need, the country’s central bank said on Monday. [ID:nATH005560]

GREECE NOW SECOND-RISKIEST WORLD SOVEREIGN-CMA

A deterioration of Greece’s debt in the second quarter of this year helped it become the world’s second-riskiest sovereign in a survey by credit default monitor CMA DataVision published on Monday. [ID:nLDE6611R7]

TERNA ENERGY APPLIES FOR FIVE PROJECT LICENCES

Terna Energy (TENr.AT) applied to energy regulator RAE for licences to costruct five hydroelectric projects with a total capacity of 637 MW, financial daily To Vima reported, citing company officials.

www.tovima.gr

FRENCH RETAILER FNAC TO EXIT GREECE, SELL TWO UNITS TO RIVAL

French electronics and books retailer Fnac (PRTP.PA) is leaving the Greek market as a result of rising losses, financial daily Imerisia reported. Domestic rival Public will buy out two of the three Fnac shops in Athens, the paper added citing unnamed sources.

www.imerisia.gr

EUROPE FACTORS-SHARES SET TO INCH HIGHER; LACK U.S. LEAD

European shares are expected to open slightly higher on Tuesday, bouncing back from a six-week closing low and mirroring gains in Asia, with the lack of a lead from Wall Street, closed on Monday for the Independence Day holiday, keeping investors sidelined. [ID:nLDE66002O]

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Europe equities seen tracking Asian stocks higher

July 6 (Reuters) – European stock index futures pointed to gains on Tuesday, tracking a rise in Asian markets, with Japan’s Nikkei .N225 rebounding off seven month lows to close higher.

By 0608 GMT, futures for the STOXX Europe 50 STXEc1 was up 0.5 percent, Germany’s DAX futures FDXc1 added 0.5 percent and France’s CAC FCEc1 futures gained 0.4 percent.

European shares fell to their lowest close in nearly six weeks on Monday, on thin volumes as Wall Street was closed for the Independence Day holiday.

(Reporting by Harpreet Bhal)

Europe shares briefly turn negative; banks down

July 5 (Reuters) – European shares briefly turned negative in early trade on Monday as banking shares fell, weighed down by worries over stress tests being conducted on the sector.

At 0808 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was flat at 969.43 points after rising to a high of 975.28 and falling to a low of 967.89.

Among banks, Barclays (BARC.L), Lloyds (LLOY.L), Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) and BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) fell 1.3 to 2.1 percent.

The market was expected to remain choppy as volumes were low because of a holiday in the United States.

(Reporting by Atul Prakash)

European shares rise early; banks advance

July 5 (Reuters) – European shares climbed in early trading on Monday after their worst week in over a month, but worries about the pace of global economic recovery following recent grim economic data are likely to cap gains.

At 0704 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was up 0.5 percent at 974.44 points. It closed 0.1 percent higher in the previous session and posted its worst weekly performance since May 21.

“We have got the U.S. reporting season starting next week. If the news is good, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be, the equity markets are technically in a strong position now to have a rebound,” said Mike Lenhoff, chief strategist at Brewin Dolphin.

“Valuations are very appealing now against the treasury market and corporate bonds. What we could see is a bit of profit taking from the treasury markets and the money could go back in the equity markets.”

Banks were among the top gainers. Lloyds (LLOY.L), BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) and Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA) rose 0.8 to 1.4 percent.

U.S. markets will remain closed on Monday for a national holiday. (Reporting by Atul Prakash)

European shares set to open sharply lower

July 1 (Reuters) – European shares were set to open sharply lower on Thursday, mirroring falls in Asian equities after manufacturing data from China showed recent rapid economic growth was slowing.

Britain’s FTSE 100 .FTSE was expected to open down as much as 91 points, or 1.9 percent; Germany’s DAX .GDAXI was seen 87 points lower, or down 1.5 percent, and France’s CAC 40 .FCHI was expected to fall 69 points, or 2 percent lower, according to financial bookmakers.

European shares .FTEU3 fell 0.2 percent on Wednesday, closing a torrid quarter with a loss of 7.9 percent as poor U.S. jobs data from the private sector fuelled fears about the pace of the U.S. economic recovery. (Reporting by Harpreet Bhal)

RPT-GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia shares slip; debt puts euro on defensive

SINGAPORE, June 29 (Reuters) – Asian stocks fell on Tuesday and were on course for their worst quarterly performance since the end of 2008, while funding concerns in the euro zone sent the single currency tumbling to a record low against the Swiss franc.

The tepid nature of the rich world’s recovery from global recession kept investors on the defensive, with a general flight to relative safe havens prompting a rebound for gold and falls in U.S. and Japanese government debt yields to multi-month lows.

European shares were also expected to fall, with financial bookmakers forecasting the benchmark indexes in Britain, France and Germany to open down 0.8-1.2 percent. Eurostoxx 50 Futures STXEc1 slid 1.7 percent. [.L]

Chinese stocks .SSEC fell 4 percent to a 14-month low, as investors started pulling funds from the market to prepare for a major initial public offering by Agricultural Bank of China, pointing to tight liquidity in China’s markets. [.SS]

“The market is still facing financing pressures and we are still worried about the domestic economy,” said Zheng Weigang, an analyst at Shanghai Securities.

Tokyo’s Nikkei .N225 fell 1.3 percent to a three-week closing low and MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1.6 percent.

The Nikkei has fallen around 14 percent in the second quarter and the MSCI AP ex-Japan is down roughly 8 percent, putting both on track for their worst quarterly performance since the meltdown in the final months of 2008 following the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

World stock markets rebounded strongly in 2009, but investors are now fretting about the uncertainty of the outlook as governments — many facing ballooning debt burdens — start to turn off the stimulus that supported the fledgling recovery.

EURO WOES

The euro fell around 1 percent against the yen EURJPY=R, dragged down by losses against the Swiss franc. It fell 0.2 percent on the day to touch 1.3323 francs EURCHF= on trading platform EBS, the weakest since its launch in 1999.

The pair has now lost 4 percent since June 17, when the Swiss central bank backed off from a pledge to fight excessive appreciation in the franc.

Traders in Asia said investors were wary of growth-linked currencies and the euro amid festering problems in the euro zone, where funding pressures re-emerged with interbank lending rates hitting their highest in almost seven months on Monday.

Banks must repay 442 billion euros ($545.5 billion) to the European Central Bank on Thursday, leaving a potential liquidity shortfall in the financial system of more than 100 billion euros. [ID:nLDE65R0LE]

The premium investors demand to hold 10-year Italian, French and Spanish government bonds, rather than euro zone benchmark German Bunds, all widened.

“Renewed debt stress stories…have weighed a bit on the euro and led to renewed safe-haven parking in the yen and Swiss franc,” said dealer at a Swiss bank.

“Investors’ sentiment towards peripheral Europe remains cautious and fragile to say the least.”

The search for safer assets pushed the U.S. benchmark 10-year yield US10YT=RR to its lowest since April 2009, while the benchmark Japanese Government Bond 10-year yield JP10YTN=JBTC fell to a seven-year low. [JP/] [US/T]

Concerns about Europe’s debt burden contributed to a rebound for gold XAU=, with spot prices for the safe-haven metal rising more than $3 to $1,239.20 an ounce. [GOL/]

“Gold is likely to remain pretty well supported in the current quarter. Safe-haven demand for gold remains prominent,” said David Moore, a commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney.

The euro’s weakness — and consequent relative dollar strength — also contributed to falling in oil prices, making dollar-denominated crude more expensive for buyers in Europe and Asia.

Oil CLc1 fell nearly 1 percent to $77.53 a barrel, as forecasts indicated Tropical Storm Alex was likely to skirt the main production region in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. [O/R]

“Markets are concerned that European banks are pressed to pay 442 billion euros. If these worries sustain and the euro falls, a stronger dollar would pressure oil prices down,” said Serene Lim, a Singapore-based oil analyst at ANZ Bank. (To read Reuters Global Investing Blog click here; for the MacroScope Blog click on blogs.reuters.com/macroscope; for Hedge Fund Blog Hub click on blogs.reuters.com/hedgehub)

GLOBAL MARKETS-Economic worry, G20 caution reigns

LONDON, June 25 (Reuters) – Worries about the fragility of global economic recovery hit financial markets again on Friday, knocking world stocks down for the fourth session in a row ahead of a summit of Group of 20 nations.

Currency traders also sold higher-yielding currencies.

Investors have pulled back a bit from riskier assets this week as evidence built that economic growth, particularly in the United States, may be slowing.

This has combined with fears that the spending cuts and tax rises being promulgated by European governments to cut debt will hurt the recovery.

G8 leaders meeting on Friday in Canada — turning into the G20 on Saturday — are set to grapple with this issue with Washington warning against cutting too far and too fast.

“The cohesion generally evident among policymakers in dealing with the global crisis is in danger of giving way to a more divisive debate about how to manage the recovery,” Credit Agricole analysts said in a morning note to clients.

MSCI’s all-country world index .MIWD00000PUS was down 0.2 percent, heading for a 2.7 percent weekly loss. Its emerging market counterpart .MSCIEF was down 0.6 percent.

European shares were bucking the trend, however, with the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 up 0.3 percent after three days of losses.

But the mood was still cautious.

“No one is really wanting to take any big positions ahead of the G20,” said Justin Urquhart Stewart, director at Seven Investment Management.

Earlier, Japan’s Nikkei average fell 1.9 percent.

DOLLAR CALM

The dollar made little headway in subdued trade ahead of the G20 leaders’ summit and the yen held near the one-month highs it hit against the U.S. currency on Thursday.

“It’s a little bit of a strange situation as the euro should usually suffer more in periods of risk aversion, but we are seeing some position adjustments ahead of the G20,” said Roberto Mialich, currency strategist at Unicredit in Milan.

The euro was flat on the day at $1.2330 EUR=. The dollar was flat against a basket of currencies .DXY.

Euro zone government bond yields were also flat. (Additional reporting by Joanne Frearson and Tamawa Desai, editing by Mike Peacock)

FOREX-Dollar steady, market awaits G20

LONDON, June 25 (Reuters) – The dollar made little headway on Friday in subdued trade as traders marked time ahead of a Group of 20 leaders’ summit this weekend, but remained wary about chasing riskier assets given debt and growth worries.

The yen held near one-month highs against the dollar hit on Thursday.

Market players were wary of a lack of consensus at the G20 summit with open disagreements about how quickly to shrink government deficits, how best to strengthen banks so they can withstand any new downturn, and how to harmonize financial regulatory reforms.

“It’s a little bit of strange situation as the euro should usually suffer more in periods of risk aversion, but we are seeing some position adjustments ahead of the G20,” said Roberto Mialich, currency strategist at Unicredit in Milan.

“The yen and Swiss franc are expected to stay firmly bid on the back of risk aversion,” he said.

By 0743 GMT, the euro was flat on the day at $1.2330 EUR=, with a downside target seen around the $1.2150/1.2200 area. Resistance was seen near the week’s high of $1.2490.

Traders will also keep an eye on stock markets for direction as the euro remains highly correlated with the S&P 500 index .SPX at a solid 63 percent.

S&P 500 stock futures SPc1 were 0.3 percent higher in early European trade. European shares also gained .FTEU3 after Tokyo’s Nikkei stock average .N225 dropped 2 percent.

DOLLAR STRUGGLES

While the dollar is normally seen as a safe haven, it has struggled to rise after the U.S. Federal Reserve earlier this week gave a less optimistic view on the economy and reiterated interest rates would remain low for an extended period.

Concerns about any fallout for U.S. banks, as U.S. lawmakers sought to finalise financial reform bills, also kept the greenback on the back foot.

The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was little changed at 85.67 .DXY. Support was seen near the week’s low of 85.09.

The dollar stood at 89.66 yen JPY= after hitting a 1-month low of 89.22 yen on trading platform EBS on Thursday.

Dollar/yen options barriers at 89 yen and below are likely to check gains for the Japanese currency in the near-term but some traders said momentum indicated the yen would eventually test the year’s high of 87.95 yen hit on May 6.

Declines in Asian shares prompted yen buying against other currencies as investors pared back risk.

“It’s all about cutting risky positions with falls in yen crosses leading the market,” said a trader for a Japanese trust bank.

G20 discussions on currency issues, particularly the Chinese yuan, may have been deflected somewhat as China took steps last week to de-peg its currency.

On Friday, China’s central bank set the yuan’s daily mid-point CNY=SAEC at 6.7896 per dollar, the highest level since the July 2005 revaluation. It meant China has allowed its reference rate to rise 0.6 percent this week. [ID:nECB000556]

“It was tactical of China to move ahead of the G20 to rule out further pressure about its currency,” Unicredit’s Mialich said.

The Australian dollar pared gains to trade down 0.3 percent at $0.8642 AUD=D4. (Additional reporting by Rika Otsuka in Tokyo, editing by Mike Peacock)

European shares edge up on banks; G20 awaited

June 25 (Reuters) – European shares edged higher on Friday after three-sessions of losses though gains were limited as investors took caution ahead of the weekend G20 meeting and concerns over tougher financial regulation.

Stocks | European Markets | Global Markets

Banks provided the index with some support following sharp falls in the previous session. U.S. lawmakers on Friday neared a breakthrough in their historic rewrite of financial regulations as they agreed to tough new limits on banks’ trading activity.

HSBC (HSBA.L), Standard Chartered (STAN.L) and Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) rose 0.9 to 1.1 percent.

By 0723 GMT, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top shares was up 0.1 percent at 1,020.86 points, but trading was choppy. “A nervous morning ahead of the G20, no one is really wanting to take any big positions ahead of the G20,” said Justin Urquhart Stewart, director at Seven Investment Management. “There are little reasons for the market to drive higher today.”

Energy stocks featured among the worst performers, with BP (BP.L) slipping 0.6 percent. The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has entered its 67th day on Friday and with bad weather looming, clean-up and containment efforts could be hampered.

(Reporting by Joanne Frearson)

EURO GOVT-Bunds higher as periphery pressured, stocks fall

June 24 (Reuters) – Core German Bunds turned positive on Thursday as peripheral euro zone issuers remained under pressure and after cautious comments on the economy from the US Federal Reserve.

Bunds further extended gains as European equities .FTEU3 turned negative.

At 0727 GMT, September Bund futures FGBLc1 were 11 ticks higher at 128.73. Two-year German yields DE2YT=TWEB were 1.5 basis points lower at 0.582 percent, with ten-year yields DE10YT=TWEB down a similar amount at 2.632 percent.

European shares .FTEU3 reversed earlier gains to stand 0.24 percent lower on the day.

Peripheral yield spreads were steady in early trade, but held close to levels seen the previous session after a bout of widening.