Rendimento das famílias trava a fundo no início do ano

[TRSM]

Bush não espera mais dois meses (19h04, 22 de Fevereiro)







Bush está em contacto com os "aliados" para ultimar resolução a ser apresentada ao Conselho de Segurança

O Presidente dos EUA, George W. Bush, alertou hoje que não está disposto a esperar mais dois meses pela adopção de uma nova resolução das Nações Unidas sobre o desarmamento iraquiano. Washington vai apresentar uma proposta de documento na próxima semana ao Conselho de Segurança.

"O tempo está contado", declarou Bush, em conferência de imprensa conjunta com o primeiro-ministro espanhol, José María Aznar, que hoje recebeu no rancho em Crawford, no Texas.

O Presidente norte-americano asseverou ainda que a resolução apresentada pelos EUA é a última hipótese que a ONU tem para mostrar que está verdadeiramente disposta a desarmar o regime de Saddam Hussein. "O Conselho de Segurança tem uma hipótese de mostrar a sua utilidade e creio que o fará, porque Saddam Hussein não desarmou", acrescentou.

O Presidente norte-americano adiantou ainda que a proposta de resolução americana — que está a ser ultimada em concertação com os "amigos e aliados" de Washington — será apresentada no início da próxima semana ao Conselho de Segurança da ONU. Esse documento "vai revelar em termos simples e claros que o Iraque não está a cumprir a resolução 1441", aprovada em Novembro pelo Conselho de Segurança e que insta Bagdad a efectuar um completo desarmamento, caso contrário enfrentará "sérias consequências".

Bush e Aznar realizaram uma teleconferência com os primeiros-ministros britênico e italiano, Tony Blair e Silvio Berlusconi, respectivamente, para discutir a questão iraquiana.

[TRSM]

DJ Earthquake/California -3: Several Aftershocks Reported


The quake was followed by a magnitude-4.5 earthquake one minute later and a
magnitude-4.2 quake another minute later. Several aftershocks were recorded in
the magnitude-3.8 and below range.
A San Bernardino County sheriff's dispatcher said he had received numerous
calls inquiring about the quake but had no immediate reports of injury or
damage.
Seismologist Kate Hutton, at the California Institute of Technology seismology
laboratory in Pasadena, said the main quake didn't appear to be an aftershock of
any previous quake. It appeared to be a new earthquake sequence in an area well
known for seismic activity.
She said there didn't appear to be any link to the deadly 1992 Landers-Big
Bear quakes. The magnitude-7.3 Landers quake on June 28, 1992, was followed a
few hours later by a magnitude-6.5 quake in Big Bear mountain area.
The Landers quake toppled a chimney that killed a 3-year-old. The quakes
injured more than 400 people and caused nearly $100 million in damage. There
have been more than 50,000 aftershocks.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
22-02-03 1307GMT(AP-DJ-02-22-03 1307GMT)

Feb-22-2003 13:07 GMT
Source DJBK Dow Jones Bankers Wire
Categories:
HOT I/ELC N/BKG N/CMDI N/DJG7 N/DJI N/DJIV N/DJMO N/DPG N/EWR N/FXW
N/IPR N/WER N/DJEN N/DJWI N/EPO N/GEN N/HOT N/LNG N/WTH M/NND M/UTI P/APNY
R/CA R/NME R/PRM R/US R/USW MST/HOT MST/I/ELC MST/B/BRK MST/N/LNG
MST/B/WTH MST/R/US/CA MST/R/NME MST/R/PRM MST/R/US

[TRSM]

DJ Probe Into Staten Island Fuel Fire Could Take Months


NEW YORK (AP)--Investigators said it may take months before they could
determine what caused a barge to explode while unloading fuel at a Staten Island
storage depot, killing two workers and sending black smoke billowing into the
air.
"We're going to have to look at everything," said Coast Guard Petty Officer
Keith Alholm. "There is a lot of information to comb through and look at before
we can come with an official cause."
Fire officials said investigators weren't expected to be able to board the
vessel until at least Saturday morning as the fire burned itself out overnight.
The explosion occurred when a barge containing 100,000 barrels of unleaded
gasoline was being offloaded Friday at the 200-acre storage facility, which
holds petroleum products including gasoline and heating oil. About half of the
cargo had been unloaded.
An employee of Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) - the owner of the facility - was in
critical but stable condition with third-degree burns, officials said. Frank
Scandariato, 48, of Middletown, N.J., had burns over 15% of his body, mostly to
his face, arms and neck, hospital officials said.
Authorities said there were no indications of terrorism, but were still trying
to determine the exact cause of the explosion, which caused terror-fatigued
residents of the city's smallest borough another case of jitters.
"There is absolutely no evidence and no reason to think at this moment that
this is anything other than a tragic accident," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Bloomberg said the blaze was contained mainly on the water and on two barges -
the one that exploded and then sank, and another nearby barge that caught fire.
The damaged barge was towed by the Coast Guard to nearby Perth Amboy, N.J., for
inspection.
Prem Nair, an Exxon Mobil spokeswoman, said the company wouldn't speculate on
a cause of the explosion, but said that no part of the storage terminal was
destroyed.
Police said the investigation remained in its preliminary stages but that
officials were examining whether a malfunction in a pump might have caused the
accident.
The barge was owned by Hicksville-based Bouchard Transportation Co. which
issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities and had retained
several companies to contain any spill of gasoline and mitigate any
environmental damage.
The investigation of the barge explosion, and its possible environmental
impact, is being coordinated by the Coast Guard, which licenses ships and their
crews.
Rep. Vito Fossella, who represents Staten Island, said he requested the
federal Environmental Protection Agency help coordinate air quality testing. The
agency is sending a team to the site to work with state and city officials, he
said.
The explosion occurred at the edge of Port Mobil Terminal, near the
Outerbridge Crossing that links the island to Perth Amboy, N.J., in a mostly
industrial area in the southwestern part of Staten Island.
The fire was declared contained at about 1:15 p.m., three hours after it
started, according to the fire department. But it was expected to burn into the
morning.
"The fire will probably burn through (Saturday) due to residual fuel still on
the site and in feeder lines that we cannot access the valves to shut down,"
said FDNY spokesman Firefighter Paul Iannizzotto on Friday.
The explosion was so loud that firefighters heard it before a single 911 call
came in, said fire Chief of Operations Sal Cassano, and the smoke could be seen
35 miles away in Trenton, N.J.
"It sounded like a bomb going off," said Ernie Camerlingo, an electrical
contractor. "I could feel the debris hitting the top of my car. It was like hail
coming down."
Exxon Mobil and Bouchard have each paid for mishaps in the past year.
Last March, a Bouchard employee was found to be legally drunk during an oil
spill in the East River, a spokesman for the state Attorney General's office
said. Bouchard paid for the cleanup, which lasted several weeks and cost $1.3
million.
Exxon Mobil last March agreed to pay $11.2 million for allegedly mishandling
benzene-contaminated waste at the storage and distribution terminal on Staten
Island. The case, filed by the Justice Department in 1996 against predecessor
Mobil Oil Corporation, had been scheduled to go to trial days before the
settlement.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
22-02-03 1218GMT(AP-DJ-02-22-03 1218GMT)

Feb-22-2003 12:18 GMT
Symbols:
US;XOM
Source DJBK Dow Jones Bankers Wire
Categories:
I/MAR I/OIL I/XDJI I/XGTI I/XISL I/XSP5 N/BKG N/CMDI N/DJG7 N/DJI
N/DJIV N/DJMO N/DJPT N/DOI N/DPG N/EWR N/FXW N/IPR N/WER N/CNW N/DJEN N/DJWI
N/GEN N/LNG N/PET N/WEI M/ENE M/IDU M/NND P/APNY P/NRG R/NME R/NY R/TX R/US
R/USE R/USS MST/I/MAR MST/I/OIL MST/I MST/B/BRK MST/N/LNG MST/N/PET
MST/R/NME MST/R/US/NY MST/R/US/TX MST/R/US

[TRSM]

DJ Turkey, US Troops Agreement Centers On $15B Loan, Grant


ANKARA (AP)--Turkey reached a rough agreement with the U.S. to allow U.S.
combat forces to be based in Turkey in case of an Iraq war, a deal that centered
on a Turkish demand for $15 billion in loans and grants to help the Turkish
economy if there is a conflict, a Turkish official said Saturday.
Talks on details of the agreement were expected to continue throughout the
weekend and a vote in parliament wasn't expected before Tuesday at the earliest,
the official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said Friday that a "broad agreement" had been
reached and that he was optimistic that a solution to remaining issues could be
found.
The deal is critical for the U.S., which hopes to base troops in Turkey that
would open a northern front against Iraq, dividing Iraq forces between the north
and a U.S. thrust in the south.
For weeks, U.S. and Turkish negotiators have been discussing a U.S. offer for
aid that would help the Turkish economy if there were a war in neighboring
Iraq. Turkey fears that a conflict could devastate its tourism industry, which
brings in some $10 billion a year.
Turkey had been asking for $10 billion in grants and another $20 in loans.
The U.S. offered $6 billion in grants, but as the negotiations deadlocked,
offered to use some of those grants to back loans. A Western diplomat said that
each billion in grants could guarantee $10 billion in loans.
Yakis' announcement on the "broad agreement" came after Turkey agreed to $5
billion in grants and $10 billion in loans, the official said.
The official, however, couldn't confirm if Washington had accepted the latest
Turkish request.
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Friday "there has
been progress" in talks and that the "possibility exists for the Turkish
government to take this to their parliament early next week."
The Turkish and U.S. talks also involve Turkey's request to send troops into
northern Iraq if there is a war, a step that Turks say will guarantee stability
on their border. Yakis said those talks are a crucial part of the discussions
and addressed Turkey's fears that a war could spark Iraqi Kurds in northern
Iraq to declare independence. Turkey is home to the world's largest Kurdish
minority and is concerned that Iraqi Kurdish independence could encourage
Turkish Kurds.
"As far as I know, a positive answer from the United States has not yet come
to the proposals (Turkey) has made," Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of Turkey's
governing party, told reporters Saturday. "These demands included political,
military, and economic fields. When there is a positive response to these
requests, Turkey will do its responsibility."
The signs of an emerging agreement come after weeks of frustration for the
U.S.
Cargo ships carrying tanks for the 4th Infantry Division are already waiting
off the Turkish coast to deliver their supplies and U.S. officials said they are
concerned that Turkish foot-dragging could delay war plans.
If Turkey refused the U.S. request, the supplies would be moved to the Gulf to
strengthen U.S. forces in that region.
An overwhelming majority of Turks, however, oppose a war and Turkey's
government, which just took office in November is balking at taking the
unpopular step of letting in U.S. troops.
On the other hand, Turkey can't afford to alienate Washington, whose political
and economic support is crucial.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
22-02-03 1212GMT(AP-DJ-02-22-03 1212GMT)

Feb-22-2003 12:12 GMT
Source DJBK Dow Jones Bankers Wire
Categories:
N/BKG N/CMDI N/DJG7 N/DJI N/DJIV N/DJMO N/DOI N/EWR N/FXW N/IPR N/WER
N/DJWI N/GEN N/PET M/NND P/APNY R/EU R/FE R/FEO R/IZ R/ML R/NME R/TU R/US
MST/B/BRK MST/N/PET MST/R/EUR MST/R/IQ MST/R/MID MST/R/NME MST/R/TR MST/R/US

[TRSM]

DJ ECB's Duisenberg/Rates -2: Deflation Isn't A Worry


Though the ECB has been less aggressive in easing monetary policy than the
Fed, Duisenberg said he came under no pressure from G7 officials to lower
interest rates. Higher euro-zone interest rates boost short-term financing costs
in the region and contribute to a higher euro against the dollar.
"I detected no criticism on short-term fiscal or monetary policy," Duisenberg
said.
The ECB President said recent gains in oil prices, which have contributed to
higher inflation rates in recent months, shouldn't be a factor in monetary
policy.
"Oil prices have to be judged over the medium term, volatility in the very
short term can never be a reason to change the monetary policy stance,"
Duisenberg said.
Annual euro-zone inflation was 2.1% in January, just above the ECB's 2% target
ceiling over the medium term.
Duisenberg suggested he doesn't expect higher wages to contribute to a further
rise in prices, though they likely won't lead to lower inflation either.
"Excessive wage growth has come to an end but has not been reversed," he said.
Duisenberg also said that in the euro zone as a whole as well as in the
region's individual countries, there's no sign that deflation is a near-term
threat.

-By Brian Blackstone; Dow Jones Newswires; 33-1-40-17-17-40;
brian.blackstone@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
22-02-03 1206GMT(AP-DJ-02-22-03 1206GMT)

Feb-22-2003 12:07 GMT
Source DJBK Dow Jones Bankers Wire
Categories:
G/FED G/IGV G/JABJ G/JAGV G/USG N/BKG N/CMDI N/DJCB N/DJFI N/DJG7
N/DJI N/DJIV N/DJMO N/ECR N/EWR N/FXW N/WER N/CBK N/DJEN N/DJWI N/ECO N/EEC
N/EMU N/FRX N/GEN N/GGG N/IEN N/NJR N/UKMR M/EUR M/GBP M/JPY M/NND M/USD
P/DRT P/RTRS R/ASI R/CN R/EC R/EU R/FE R/FR R/GE R/ITA R/JA R/NME R/PRM
R/UK R/US R/WEU MST/G/BOJ MST/G/EXE MST/G/CBI MST/E/GEN MST/F/FRX
MST/B/BRK MST/R/G7 MST/R/ASI MST/R/CA MST/R/EU MST/R/EUR MST/R/FR MST/R/DE
MST/R/IT MST/R/JP MST/R/NME MST/R/PRM MST/R/GB MST/R/US

[TRSM]

DJ Non-Aligned Nations/Iraq -3: Opposed To Unilateral Action



The document, to be formally endorsed by the heads of government after their
summit opens Monday, dropped Arab characterization of any conflict as
"aggression."
The resolution said the Non-Aligned Movement - which accounts for 55% of the
world's population and almost two-thirds of U.N. members - considers "with grave
concern the precarious and rapidly deteriorating situation arising from the
looming threat of war against Iraq."
"It is a balanced statement because it shows everyone is against unilateral
action against Iraq or any other country," said Gholomali Khoshroo, Iran's
deputy foreign minister. "At the same time, they have urged Iraq to cooperate
with the United Nations."
Adoption of the Iraq declaration ended two days of wrangling over its precise
wording. Iraq is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was set up
in 1955 to pave a neutral path between the U.S. and the Soviet bloc and which
regularly opposes military action against any Third World state.
U.S. confrontations with Iraq and North Korea - nations allegedly possessing
weapons of mass destruction - dominated preparations for the summit.
The declaration paid a nod to massive anti-war protests around the world.
"We are fully cognizant of the concerns expressed by millions in our
countries, as well as in other parts of the world, who reject war and believe,
like we do, that war against Iraq would be a destabilizing factor for the whole
region," it said.
The draft declaration warned that war would have "far-reaching political,
economic and humanitarian consequences for all countries of the world."

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
22-02-03 1157GMT(AP-DJ-02-22-03 1157GMT)

Feb-22-2003 11:57 GMT
Source DJBK Dow Jones Bankers Wire
Categories:
HOT N/BKG N/CMDI N/DJG7 N/DJI N/DJIV N/DJMO N/DOI N/EWR N/FXW N/IPR
N/WER N/DJEN N/DJWI N/GEN N/HOT N/PET M/NND P/APNY R/FE R/IZ R/ML R/NME
R/US MST/HOT MST/B/BRK MST/N/PET MST/R/IQ MST/R/MID MST/R/NME MST/R/US

[TRSM]

ARIS (Dow Jones)--Finance officials from the Group of Seven Industrialized
countries stuck to their usual language on currency markets despite a steep rise
in the euro against the U.S. dollar and yen in recent months, according to a
draft statement.
"We will continue to monitor exchange markets closely and cooperate as
appropriate," the draft G7 statement obtained by Dow Jones Newswires said. The
G7 made the same reference in September. However, since then, the euro has risen
around 10% against the dollar and 16% against the yen.
A final communique is expected for release around 1600 GMT (11 a.m. EST).
Some analysts had hoped for a more specific mention of the dollar's weakness
or the importance of keeping exchange markets in a stable range.
Finance ministers and central bankers also promised to cooperate in case of a
further slowdown, but fell short of proposing a concrete emergency plan in case
of a war in Iraq, which some financial market participants had also hoped for.
"If the economic outlook weakens, we are prepared to respond as appropriate,"
according to the statement.
Instead, the officials, while noting the G7 economy's weakness, expressed hope
for a rebound.
"Our economies are experiencing slower growth, yet they remain resilient," the
draft statement reads. "Geopolitical uncertainties have increased. We remain
confident in the underlying strength of our economies and in their capacity to
grow more vigorously."
-By Daniel Schwammenthal; Dow Jones Newswires; 32 473 555 321;
daniel.schwammenthal@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
22-02-03 1152GMT(AP-DJ-02-22-03 1152GMT)

[TRSM]

Novipac adquirida pela Ferrovial

21-2-2003 17:52



A Novipav, uma das primeiras empresas de manutenção e conservação de estradas, foi adquirida pela Grupisa, da espanhola Ferrovial.
As empresas não anunciaram o montante envolvido no negócio

[TRSM]

FleetBoston não vai dar bónus a executivos

21-2-2003 20:30



Os executivos da FleetBoston Financial não vão receber quaisquer bónus referentes ao ano fiscal de 2002. O desempenho financeiro desapontante do último ano está na origem da decisão da empresa.

[TRSM]

Moody’s reduz notação da MacDonald’s

21-2-2003 19:59



A empresa de notação de risco Moody’s Investors reduziu a notação sobre dívidas de 9,8 mil milhões de dólares da MacDonald’s, preocupada com a queda nas vendas e com a guerra de preços com as outras cadeias de venda de hambúrgueres.
A notação sénior foi reduzida de Aa3 para A2. A notação de curto prazo foi confirmada.

[TRSM]

Benneton vai controlar Autostrade

21-2-2003 19:32



A família Benetton e os seus parceiros vão pagar 6,5 mil milhões de euros para conseguirem controlo da Autostrade, a maior operadora de auto-estradas da Europa.
A Schemaventotto, controlada pela família Benetton, já controlava 30 por cento da Autostrade e garantiu 59 por cento adicionais com o pagamento de 10 euros por acção, o que lhe garantirá mais de dois terços da empresa.

Esta aquisição faz parte do plano de expansão da Benetton para negócios mais lucrativos. As acções de operadoras de auto-estradas estão entre os melhores desempenhos das Bolsas europeias nos últimos anos.

A Benetton pretende fundir a Autostrade com a NewCo28, alienando depois algumas acções da nova empresa.

[TRSM]

Computer Sciences garante contrato de 700 milhões dólares

21-2-2003 18:59



A norte-americana Computer Sciences ganha mais de 2 por cento depois de ter recebido um contrato avaliado em 700 milhões de dólares com a Força Armada norte-americana, vigente nos próximos 8 anos.
A empresa deverá oferecer suporte e serviços tecnológicos a agências governamentais.

[TRSM]

Getronics: demissão do presidente e redução de estimativas

21-2-2003 17:55



O grupo holandês de serviços informáticos Getronics anunciou que o seu presidente e vice-presidente se demitiram por “divergências de opinião” com o Conselho de Vigilância.
Além disso, a empresa reduziu as suas estimativas para os resultados operacionais de 2002 para 106 milhões de euros

[TRSM]

FleetBoston não vai dar bónus a executivos

21-2-2003 20:30



Os executivos da FleetBoston Financial não vão receber quaisquer bónus referentes ao ano fiscal de 2002. O desempenho financeiro desapontante do último ano está na origem da decisão da empresa.

[TRSM]

SonaeCom vai alienar 45% da Rádio Nova a empresários

A SonaeCom assinou um contrato de promessa de compra e venda em que se compromete a alienar 45% do capital da Rádio Nova a dois empresários do sector, diz a empresa em comunicado, sem especificar valores de encaixe financeiro.
Com este contrato, a subsidiária «Público» da SonaeCom compromete-se a alienar 45% da Rádio Nova a «dois empresários de larga experiência do sector, Luís Montez e Álvaro Gávea», acrescenta em comunicado.

A SonaeCom [SNC] mantém uma posição de 45% naquela estação de rádio, sendo que os restantes 10% estão nas mãos da espanhola Antena3.

O capital social da Rádio Nova é representado por 380 mil euros.

Esta transacção carece de «aprovação pela autoridade regulatória competente-Alta Autoridade para a Comunicação Social».

As acções da SonaeCom encerraram nos 1,73 euros a cair 0,57%.

2003/02/21 19:13:00

[TRSM]

Ferrovial entra na manutenção de estradas em Portugal com compra de Novipav

O grupo Ferrovial anunciou hoje a compra da portuguesa Novipav, uma das líderes do sector de conservação de estradas que factura 16 milhões de euros. O mercado português continua a ser «estratégico» para a empresa espanhola, disse ao Negocios.pt, fonte da empresa.
A Grupisa Infraestrutucturas, filial da Ferrovial, comprou a totalidade das acções da Novipav, entrando no sector da manutenção de auto-estradas em Portugal que incluirá na «sub-holding» de serviços, disse ao Negocios.pt a mesma fonte, escusando-se a especificar valores de aquisição.

Em 2002, o capital da portuguesa Novipav era representado por 3,7 milhões de euros. A empresa nacional detém uma quota de mercado de 30% na manutenção de estradas no território português.

A Ferrovial está presente em Portugal desde 1989, empregando, directa e indirectamente 1.500 empregos. No segmento de concessão de auto-estradas, o grupo espanhol está presentes em dois consórcios que representaram um investimento total de 650 milhões de euros, informou a mesma fonte.

Em Portugal, a Ferrovial marca presença ainda na promoção imobiliária e na construção civil, tendo recentemente anunciado a intenção de investir 50 milhões de euros na construção da segunda «Torre da Expo», um complexo residencial situado no Parque das Nações, em Lisboa.

Sobre novos investimentos em Portugal, fonte da Ferrovial afirmou que «o mercado português continua a ser estratégico», aguardando «oportunidades» para investir neste país.

«Os investimentos dependem das oportunidades», realçou a mesma fonte.

As acções da Ferrovial fecharam a cair 0,66% para os 23,92 euros na Bolsa de Madrid.

2003/02/21 19:07:00

[TRSM]

Verizon e Target impulsionam Bolsas EUA; Dow sobe 1,3%

As acções americanas subiram pela primeira sessão em três, impulsionadas pelos títulos da Verizon Communications e da Target, empresas que beneficiaram de recomendações favoráveis por parte dos analistas. O Dow Jones somou 1,3% e o Nasdaq subiu 1,33%.
O índice industrial [INDU] fechou nos 8.018,11 pontos, tendo acumulado uma subida semanal de 1,38%, enquanto o Nasdaq [CCMP] terminou nos 1.348,99 pontos, tendo valorizado 2,96% no mesmo período. O mercado americano esteve fechado na segunda-feira devido a feriado.

A operadora telefónica de chamadas locais Verizon cresceu 2,53%, depois do Credit Suisse First Boston ter elevado a recomendação de «neutral» para «outperform», afirmando que as recentes quedas tornam o papel atractivo.

A Target valorizou 6,39%, depois de um analista da Bancorp Piper Jaffray ter escrito, numa nota a clientes, que as acções da detentora da segunda maior rede de retalho a desconto nos EUA se encontram baratas.

Os índices chegaram a registar perdas durante a sessão, depois de um terminal de petróleo controlado pela Exxon Mobil ter explodido em Statten Island, a área mais a sul de Nova Iorque. Os títulos da petrolífera caíram xx%, enquanto o preço do crude negociado naquela praça financeira [CO1] subiu 2,56%.

O «American Depositary Receipt» (ADR) da Portugal Telecom (PT) fechou nos 6,36 dólares (5,91 euros), enquanto em Lisboa os títulos da operadora terminaram nos 5,95 euros. Cada ADR representa uma acção da PT [PTC].

O ADR da Electricidade de Portugal (EDP) fixou-se nos 16,50 dólares (15,33 euros), enquanto na praça nacional fecharam nos 1,54 euros. Cada ADR representa 10 acções da EDP [EDP].

2003/02/21 21:30:00

[Pata-Hari]

Bom fim-de-semana a todos!