The title Essar Energy tumbles to the London Stock Exchange

The action of Essar Energy, a subsidiary of Indian conglomerate Essar, has again plummeted Monday at the London Stock Exchange. A large sliding which follows the publication of an annual loss, the company recognize parallel to face serious difficulties. Around 1530 GMT, so the title was declining 14.84% to 107.25 pence, to close at 107.6 pence in the end down 14.60%.

Record production of biodiesel in the U.S.

The American Association of Soy (ASA for American Soybean Association) has announced at the agriculture committee of the Senate record production of biodiesel.

According to Steve Wellman, its president, the sector generated 39,000 jobs and incomes of over $ 1.7 billion in 2011.

It also recalled the importance of the education program for biodiesel, to encourage farmers and consumers to produce and use this fuel.

Petroleum: crude oil inventories declined, contrary to expectations

Anticipated impact on oil prices. While analysts expected a net increase in crude inventories, they were down last week in the United States. This is indeed what had indicated Wednesday the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE).

During the week ending February 10, volumes and fell 200,000 barrels to reach 339.1 million now in barrels. Note that analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires had expected for their part to an increase of 1.3 million barrels.

Finally, though, stocks were up 300,000 barrels last week, significantly below expectations this time. Inventories of distillates fell meanwhile by 2.9 million barrels, amounting to 143.7 million barrels.

Good news or not? The future will tell ...

In any event, the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) now has a new gold mine. It is located in the Eastern Province to the north-east. The South African mining giant Randgold and AngloGold are already there. Mine Kibali is indeed now a well advanced project, it should go into operation this year. However, in April 2011, estimates had forecast a production of the first gold in January 2014.

Cereal prices are stabilizing

The price of corn, wheat and soybeans have stabilized over the weekend in Chicago, enjoying far an uptrend following a wave of freezing cold in Eastern Europe. Let us recall that some regions of Ukraine and Russia saw temperatures close to -30 ° C, while winter wheat is growing rapidly.  If the preceding weeks, Latin America particularly Argentina, had been put under pressure during dry weather raising fears of negative impacts on crops, heavy rainfall, however fallout in this region in early week, more rain is expected.

Israel: towards a confirmation of huge offshore gas resources

That could well increase tensions in the area... While in the winter of 2010, the American Noble Energy's main site operator, announced that the reserves of the offshore natural gas off of Israel called Leviathan could eventually allow the Jewish state to become an exporter of gas - to the chagrin of the neighbors - the company Delek Energy, partner Noble Energy announced Sunday that it had significant indications of the presence of natural gas to a new site off the Mediterranean coast.

Sugar: the way of falling between demand and the increase

The price of sugar has declined sharply this week, while impacted by both estimates abundant crops and a decrease in supply.

The price of this commodity remains in effect greatly dependent on the economic environment, a slowdown in global growth is therefore likely to weigh on consumption of agricultural commodities.

Investors expect to surpluses indeed offers this season at the major producers (India, Thailand, European Union, Russia).

Africa: capital flight promoted by Global Financial Integrity

If the financial woes of Greece appear to be largely due to corruption, small shenanigans with friends, favoritism and remittances to regions more "friendly", last December, Global Financial Integrity (GFI) indicated that the capital flight in Africa amounted to 854 billion between 1970 and 2008, an amount four times larger than the continent's external debt.

Platinium and Palladium continue to rise

Metals prices PGMs (platinum, palladium) continued to rise this week.

They remain supported by ongoing concerns about supply from South Africa (world's largest producer of platinum), while the country is affected by strikes in the mining sector.

Satisfactory figures for auto sales in the U.S. in January (11.4% in annual moving) have also attracted investors to the commodities whose main market is located in the automotive industry.

Friday, an ounce of platinum rose to 1,637.25 dollars, which corresponds to its highest level for two and a half months.

Deficit of France Bercy revises the figure rising to 2012

While France is uncertain as to whether or not Sarkozy has used the extras as it moves on a construction site in Mennecy (Essonne), the financial condition of the country he leads is not pleasing ...  The government deficit has indeed been revised upwards for 2012, according to figures released by Bercy.  An "extension" of some 6 billion euros has indeed been added by the department, which now expects 85 billion amount of power in 2012.

Reasons given to justify this by Bercy "development": the endowment fund of permanent emergency in the euro area. In an attempt to reassure investors, the government also states that this new estimate does not challenge his government's commitments.

Portugal: BPI bank sick of Greece

When the huge financial problems of Greece reflect upon the entire European Union ...

The phenomenon was predictable: like a house of cards, Portugal - already strong in bad shape - is now directly affected by health status of the Greek state.

Central Fukushima leak of radioactive water from a reactor

The Fukushima plant has not said its last word ... or rather has not delivered its last gasp. According to Kyodo News, nearly 8.5 tons of radioactive water leaked from a reactor at the nuclear plant in Japan. Recall that it was seriously damaged after an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.