>>> US Close Dow-1,85% S&P-1,70% Nasdaq-1,67% Russell-1,24%


Closing Market Summary: Stocks Slide Amid Continued Dollar Strength


The stock market endured a daylong selloff on Tuesday with the S&P 500 (-1.7%) sliding below its 50-day moving average. The benchmark index surrendered its Q1 gain and is now down 0.7% since the end of 2014 while the Dow (-1.8%) underperformed.

Equities stumbled out of the gate after the Dollar Index (98.60, +1.01) continued its charge, climbing to a fresh 12-year high during overnight action. The index spent the morning near its overnight high and built on that gain into the afternoon. The greenback strength sent the euro into the 1.0700 area while the Dollar Index extended its March gain to 3.4%.

The continued greenback strength fueled concerns about the earnings prospects of multinational companies while also putting pressure on overseas entities that conduct their dealings in dollars. As a result, a wave of recent downward earnings revisions has lowered 2015 EPS growth expectations to just 1.1% from 9.8% on December 1, according to S&P Capital IQ.

The diminished prospects for solid earnings growth broadsided the six growth-sensitive sectors while countercyclical groups did not fare much better. Sellers remained in control throughout the day with the two largest sectors by weight—technology (-2.2%) and financials (-2.1%)—pacing the retreat.

Large cap tech names like Apple (AAPL 124.56, -2.58), Google (GOOGL 559.85, -14.25), and Facebook (FB 77.57, -1.87) lost between 2.0% and 2.5% while Qualcomm (QCOM 71.88, -0.82) outperformed, falling 1.1%, after announcing a $15 billion repurchase program and increasing its quarterly cash dividend to $0.48/share from $0.42/share.

Elsewhere among cyclical sectors, the consumer discretionary space ended in-line with the broader market, but that masked an 11.5% surge in the shares of Urban Outfitters (URBN 44.06, +4.55) after the apparel retailer beat bottom-line estimates and reported revenue in-line with its warning from February 9.

Also of note, the energy sector (-1.4%) represented the lone outperformer on the cyclical side even though crude oil fell 3.1% to $48.40/bbl.

On the countercyclical side, the utilities sector (-0.2%) settled just below its flat line after failing to hold its intraday gain. Still, the group ended atop today's leaderboard, benefitting from bond strength that pressured the 10-yr yield to 2.13% (-6 bps).

Today's participation was ahead of recent averages with more than 830 million shares changing hands at the NYSE floor.

Economic data was limited to Wholesale Inventories and JOLTS:
  • Wholesale inventories increased 0.3% in January after a downward revision revealed no change (from +0.1%) in December 
    • The consensus expected a decline of 0.1% 
    • Surprisingly, the sharp drop in petroleum prices did not lead to a large decline in petroleum inventories. These inventories only declined 1.1% in January after declining 7.2% in December. Altogether, nondurable goods inventories declined a modest 0.1% in January. 
  • The January Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed that job openings increased to 4.998 million from 4.877 million 
Tomorrow, the weekly MBA Mortgage Index will be released at 7:00 ET while the Treasury Budget for February (consensus -$192 billion) will cross the wires at 14:00 ET.
  • Nasdaq Composite +2.6% YTD 
  • Russell 2000 +0.4% YTD 
  • S&P 500 -0.7% YTD 
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average -0.9% YTD

Actavis and Allergan Shareholders Approve Proposals Related to Actavis’ Planned Acquisition of Allergan

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BN 03/10 20:05 *ACTAVIS, ALLERGAN HOLDERS APPROVE PROPOSALS RELATED TO ACTAVIS’

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Actavis and Allergan Shareholders Approve Proposals Related to Actavis’ Planned Acquisition of Allergan 2015-03-10 20:05:00.160 GMT

Actavis and Allergan Shareholders Approve Proposals Related to Actavis’ Planned Acquisition of Allergan

Business Wire

DUBLIN, Ireland & IRVINE, Calif. -- March 10, 2015

Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) and Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) announced that, at shareholder meetings held today, all proposals related to Actavis’ planned acquisition of Allergan were approved by both Actavis’ and Allergan’s shareholders.

Actavis’ and Allergan’s shareholder approvals satisfy certain conditions to the closing of the transaction. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2015, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

About Actavis

About Actavis plc (NYSE:ACT), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a unique specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing high quality affordable generic and innovative branded pharmaceutical products for patients around the world.

Actavis markets a broad portfolio of branded and generic pharmaceuticals and develops innovative medicines for patients suffering from diseases principally in the central nervous system, gastroenterology, women’s health, urology, cardiovascular, respiratory and anti-infective therapeutic categories. The Company is an industry leader in product research and development, with one of the broadest brand development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry, and a leading position in the submission of generic product applications. Actavis has commercial operations in more than 60 countries and operates more than 30 manufacturing and distribution facilities around the world.

For more information, visit Actavis’ website at www.actavis.com.

About Allergan

Allergan is a multi-specialty health care company established more than 60 years ago with a commitment to uncover the best of science and develop and deliver innovative and meaningful treatments to help people reach their life’s potential. Today, we have approximately 10,500 highly dedicated and talented employees, global marketing and sales capabilities with a presence in more than 100 countries, a rich and ever-evolving portfolio of pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices and over-the-counter consumer products, and state-of-the-art resources in R&D, manufacturing and safety surveillance that help millions of patients see more clearly, move more freely and express themselves more fully. From our beginnings as an eye care company to our focus today on several medical specialties, including eye care, neurosciences, medical aesthetics, medical dermatology, breast aesthetics, and urologics, Allergan is proud to celebrate more than 60 years of medical advances and proud to support the patients and customers who rely on our products and the employees and communities in which we live and work.

For more information regarding Allergan, go to: www.allergan.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this communication that refer to Actavis’ or Allergan’s estimated or anticipated future results, including estimated synergies, or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Actavis’ or Allergan’s current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this communication. Forward looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “targets,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the Allergan acquisition, including future financial and operating results, Actavis’ or Allergan’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and the expected timing of completion of the transaction. It is important to note that Actavis’ and Allergan’s respective goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Actavis’ or Allergan’s current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Actavis’ business, Allergan’s business and risks associated with acquisition transactions. These factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with financial projections; restructuring in connection with, and successful closing of, the Allergan acquisition; subsequent integration of the Allergan acquisition and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of the Allergan acquisition; the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals for the transaction (including the approval of antitrust authorities necessary to complete the acquisition), the timing of obtaining such approvals and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction; the risk that a condition to closing of the Allergan acquisition may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; risks relating to the value of the Actavis shares to be issued in the transaction; the anticipated size of the markets and continued demand for Actavis’ and Allergan’s products; Actavis’ and Allergan’s ability to successfully develop and commercialize new products; Actavis’ and Allergan’s ability to conform to regulatory standards and receive requisite regulatory approvals; availability of raw materials and other key ingredients; uncertainty and costs of legal actions and government investigations; the inherent uncertainty associated with financial projections; fluctuations in Actavis’ operating results and financial condition, particularly given our manufacturing and sales of branded and generic products; risks associated with acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures, such as difficulties integrating businesses, uncertainty associated with financial projections, projected synergies, restructuring, increased costs, and adverse tax consequences; the adverse impact of substantial debt and other financial obligations on the ability to fulfill and/or refinance debt obligations; risks associated with relationships with employees, vendors or key customers as a result of acquisitions of businesses, technologies or products; our compliance with federal and state healthcare laws, including laws related to fraud, abuse, privacy security and others; risks of the generic industry generally; generic product competition with our branded products; uncertainty associated with the development of commercially successful branded pharmaceutical products; uncertainty associated with development and approval of commercially successful biosimilar products; costs and efforts to defend or enforce technology rights, patents or other intellectual property; expiration of Actavis’ and Allergan’s patents on our branded products and the potential for increased competition from generic manufacturers; risks associated with owning the branded and generic version of a product; competition between branded and generic products; the ability of branded product manufacturers to limit the production, marketing and use of generic products; Actavis’ and Allergan’s ability to obtain and afford third-party licenses and proprietary technology we need; Actavis’ and Allergan’s potential infringement of others’ proprietary rights; our dependency on third-party service providers and third-party manufacturers and suppliers that in some cases may be the only source of finished products or raw materials that we need; Actavis’ competition with certain of our significant customers; the impact of our returns, allowance and chargeback policies on our future revenue; successful compliance with governmental regulations applicable to Actavis’ and Allergan’s respective third party providers’ facilities, products and/or businesses; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts and regulatory agency approvals or actions, if any; Actavis’ and Allergan’s vulnerability to and ability to defend against product liability claims and obtain sufficient or any product liability insurance; Actavis’ and Allergan’s ability to retain qualified employees and key personnel; the effect of intangible assets and resulting impairment testing and impairment charges on our financial condition; Actavis’ ability to obtain additional debt or raise additional equity on terms that are favorable to Actavis; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; our ability to manage environmental liabilities; global economic conditions; Actavis’ ability to continue foreign operations in countries that have deteriorating political or diplomatic relationships with the United States; Actavis’ and Allergan’s ability to continue to maintain global operations; risks associated with tax liabilities, or changes in U.S. federal or international tax laws to which we are subject, including the risk that the Internal Revenue Service disagrees that Actavis is a foreign corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes; risks of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with cyber-security and vulnerability of our information and employee, customer and business information that Actavis stores digitally; Actavis’ ability to maintain internal control over financial reporting; changes in the laws and regulations, affecting among other things, availability, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; the highly competitive nature of the pharmaceutical industry; Actavis’ ability to successfully navigate consolidation of our distribution network and concentration of our customer base; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of pending or future litigation or government investigations; developments regarding products once they have reached the market and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Actavis’ and Allergan’s respective periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including but not limited to Actavis’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Allergan’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as amended from time to time in Actavis’ and Allergan’s respective other investor communications. Except as expressly required by law, each of Actavis and Allergan disclaim any intent or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

Important Information for Investors and Shareholders

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In connection with the proposed merger between Actavis and Allergan, Actavis has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, including Amendment No. 1 thereto, that contains a joint proxy statement of Actavis and Allergan that also constitutes a prospectus of Actavis. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on January 26, 2015. Each of Actavis and Allergan commenced mailing the joint proxy statement/prospectus to its shareholders or its stockholders on January 28, 2015. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF ACTAVIS AND ALLERGAN ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Actavis and Allergan through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Actavis are available free of charge on Actavis’ internet website at www.Actavis.com or by contacting Actavis’ Investor Relations Department at (862) 261-7488. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Allergan are available free of charge on Allergan’s internet website at www.Allergan.com or by contacting Allergan’s Investor Relations Department at (714) 246-4766.

Participants in the Merger Solicitation

Actavis, Allergan, their respective directors and certain of their executive officers and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the Actavis and Allergan shareholders in connection with the proposed merger is set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus. Information about the directors and executive officers of Allergan is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 26, 2014 and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information about the directors and executive officers of Actavis is set forth in Actavis’ proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014 and certain of Actavis’ Current Reports on Form 8-K. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the above-referenced registration statement on Form S-4 and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

Contact:

Actavis Investors: Lisa DeFrancesco (862) 261-7152 Media: Charlie Mayr (862) 261-8030 David Belian (862) 261-8141 Allergan Investors: Joann Bradley (714) 246-4766 David Nakasone (714) 246-6376 Media: Bonnie Jacobs (714) 246-5134

-0- Mar/10/2015 20:05 GMT

Coeure Says ECB Will Face Scarcity, Not Shortage of Bonds for QE

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Coeure Says ECB Will Face Scarcity, Not Shortage of Bonds for QE 2015-03-10 18:00:00.7 GMT

By Jeff Black (Bloomberg) -- European Central Bank Executive Board member Benoit Coeure says in text of speech in Frankfurt that ECB will be able to meet its targets for buying government debt under its quantitative-easing program. * “While the effective supply of eligible securities is undoubtedly lower than the total amount outstanding, I do believe that it will still be substantially higher than the amounts we intend to purchase” * “If this is the case, there will be a price at which we can buy the quantities needed to meet our monthly targets. In other words, we may face a scarcity of bonds, but we won’t face a shortage” * “There may be good reasons to expect that scarcity will materialize first and foremost in those market segments with a higher duration, potentially helping to maximize the economic impact of our operations” * “To avoid any shortage of assets that are used as collateral, especially at the high end of the credit spectrum, PSPP securities will be made available to the market through securities lending. This will enable securities purchased by the Eurosystem to be used in private transactions and relieve frictions in the functioning of the market, such as failed repo deliveries, which may arise from our purchases” * “We will try to avoid, to the extent possible, purchasing specific securities such as current cheapest-to-deliver bonds underlying futures contracts, securities commanding ‘‘special’’ rates in the repo market as a sign of temporary scarcity, and other assets displaying significant liquidity shortages” * NOTE: ECB’s Plan to Reignite Economy Starts With Slow-Burn Bond Buying

For Related News and Information: First Word scrolling panel: FIRST<GO> First Word newswire: NH BFW<GO>

To contact the reporter on this story: Jeff Black in Frankfurt at +49-69-92041-205 or jblack25@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Fergal O’Brien at +44-20-3525-7152 or fobrien@bloomberg.net

Atlantia Selling Own Shrs for 1.18% of Capital in ABB

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BN 03/10 17:15 *ATLANTIA SAYS MORGAN STANLEY MANAGING ACCELERATED BOOKBUILDING BN 03/10 17:15 *ATLANTIA SELLING OWN SHRS FOR 1.18% OF CAPITAL IN ABB

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Atlantia Selling Own Shrs for 1.18% of Capital in ABB 2015-03-10 17:29:52.899 GMT

By Andrea Snyder (Bloomberg) -- Morgan Stanley managing accelerated bookbuild of up to 9.74m shrs, Atlantia says. Link to Statement:Link

Link to Company News:{ATL IM <Equity> CN <GO>} Link to Company News:{ABBN VX <Equity> CN <GO>}

For Related News and Information: First Word scrolling panel: {FIRST<GO>} First Word newswire: {NH BFW<GO>}

To contact the reporter on this story: Andrea Snyder in Washington at +1-202-624-1831 or asnyder5@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Marco Bertacche at +39-02-8064-4233 or mbertacche@bloomberg.net

*DECAUX FAMILY SELLING 5.4% OF JCDECAUX

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BFW 03/10 16:55 *DECAUX FAMILY SELLING 5.4% OF JCDECAUX BN 03/10 16:54 *JCDECAUX HOLDING S.A.S. TO HOLD 64.5% OF JCDECAUX S.A. AFTER BN 03/10 16:54 *JCDECAUX HOLDING S.A.S.: GOLDMAN SACHS SOLE BOOKRUNNER BN 03/10 16:53 *JCDECAUX HOLDING S.A.S.: SALE BOOSTS JCDECAUX S.A. FREE FLOAT BN 03/10 16:53 *JCDECAUX HOLDING S.A.S. SALE VIA ACCELERATED BOOKBUILDING BN 03/10 16:53 *JCDECAUX HOLDING S.A.S. SELLING 12M HSARES IN JCDECAUX S.A. BN 03/10 16:53 *JCDECAUX HOLDING S.A.S. SELLING 5.4% OF JCDECAUX S.A.

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Decaux Family Selling 5.4% Stake in JCDecaux 2015-03-10 16:59:43.669 GMT

By James Ludden (Bloomberg) -- JCDecaux Holding SAS selling 12m shrs via Goldman, according to e-mailed statement. * Free float to rise to 34.2% * Family to hold 64.5% stake after sale * 360-day lockup

Link to Company News:{DEC FP <Equity> CN <GO>}

For Related News and Information: First Word scrolling panel: {FIRST<GO>} First Word newswire: {NH BFW<GO>}

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Ludden at +44-20-3525-2645 or jludden@bloomberg.net

WSJ : Vivendi’s Playlist is Only on Hold


Vivendi’s Playlist is Only on Hold
The company’s remaining music and pay-TV businesses still hold some growth potential, supported by Vivendi’s deep pockets.

In music, silence can signify a pause rather than an ending. That’s just what shareholders should expect from Vivendi .

The Paris-based media conglomerate has sold off assets to amass a war chest of about €10 billion ($11 billion). Investors are expecting either more cash to be returned to them or deployed to expand the remaining two businesses—Universal Music Group or Canal Plus Group , its film and television subsidiary.

As yet, Vivendi hasn’t budged. A €1 dividend per share remains unchanged. An announced 10% buyback program will only proceed if the stock falls to €20 or lower. The average price over the past three months was €20.75. But Vivendi’s financial firepower and Chairman Vincent Bolloré ’s reputation for discipline provide some reason for investors to wait.

Things should be looking up for Vivendi’s businesses. Internet music streaming is growing quickly, and should eventually deliver higher margins for the company. Licensing music catalogs typically results in a steady stream of revenue with little additional cost. Last year Google bought Songza and Apple acquired Beats Music to expand into music streaming. Increased competition allows UMG more bargaining power.

In pay-television, Canal Plus’s emerging markets expansion is a decent long-term bet even if growth looks more uncertain currently. The TV business needs to cut costs, an area where Mr. Bolloré’s skills have been proven at Havas, a Paris-based advertising agency that is majority-owned by the Bolloré family.

The hard part will be to find new opportunities for growth. Here Mr. Bolloré is more apt to take small steps than giant leaps, with higher growth content assets. Closer ties are expected between Vivendi and Havas: Earlier this year the pair launched Global Music Data Alliance to mine big data to build more precise marketing and distribution strategies.

And when it comes to deal-making, the activist investor’s interest in the company, recently increased to 8.2% from 5.2%, should at least mean that decisions are better aligned to investors’ interests. This is particularly welcome in light of the company’s troubled acquisition history.

Vivendi’s rump is trading at about 10 times 2015 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, Jefferies says, compared with the 12 times for ITV and Time Warner . Some market dissonance could further hit Vivendi’s valuation. But shareholders should stick around to hear the next part of this song.

(Le Monde) Autoroutes : le groupe de travail remet au gouvernement des propositi


Autoroutes : le groupe de travail remet au gouvernement des propositions a minima

Le grand soir n’aura pas lieu. Pas de nationalisation, de reprise en main des concessions d’autoroutes ou de baisse des tarifs des péages. Au contraire, ce sont des conclusions sans surprise, évoquées depuis plusieurs semaines, que remet au gouvernement le groupe de travail sur les concessions autoroutières, mardi 10 mars. Cela va d’un rééquilibrage des contrats en partageant les bénéfices de la concession, à la modulation des tarifs des péages pour le covoiturage ou pour les jeunes, avec pour priorité la mise en œuvre sans délai du plan de relance autoroutier.

Lire aussi : Faut-il en finir avec les péages d’autoroutes ?

Composé de quinze parlementaires de la majorité et de l’opposition, ce groupe a été instauré en janvier par le premier ministre, Manuel Valls, pour aider le gouvernement à formuler des propositions en matière de péage. Et, surtout, pour l’aider à sortir de l’affrontement avec les sociétés d’autoroutes déclenchées à l’automne après les propos virulents de parlementaires et de ministres, comme Ségolène Royal, dénonçant les surprofits des compagnies d’autoroutes et demandant la gratuité le week-end. Des déclarations qui reposaient sur des analyses de la Cour des comptes et de l’Autorité de la concurrence. Des données contestées alors par les sociétés d’autoroutes.

Lire aussi : Autoroutes : Royal plaide pour un gel des tarifs des péages en 2015

Au terme de cinq séances de travail, les parlementaires ont estimé que les deux scénarios sur lesquels le gouvernement leur avait demandé de réfléchir, la résiliation des concessions ou de la renégociation des contrats, « ne peuvent apporter de réponse satisfaisante aux questions soulevées ».


Le groupe de travail recommande donc « une démarche en deux temps », à court et moyen terme. Dans l’immédiat, il veut « privilégier le plan de relance des autoroutes, rechercher une meilleure régulation du secteur et une plus grande implication du Parlement ».

Les parlementaires demandent de mettre en œuvre « sans délai » le plan de relance de 3,2 milliards d’euros, négociés entre l’Etat et les sociétés d’autoroutes. Celui-ci comporte une série de travaux, sans financement budgétaire et sans hausse de tarifs. Mais en contrepartie, les sociétés d’autoroutes ont obtenu un allongement de deux ans en moyenne de la durée de leur concession.

Créer 15 000 emplois

Alors que 30 000 emplois ont été perdus dans les travaux publics depuis 2007, le plan de relance devrait permettre de créer 15 000 emplois, rappelle le groupe de travail. Ce dernier attend des concessionnaires un effort significatif « pour réduire le plus possible l’allongement envisagé des concessions » et le groupe souhaite aussi « une accélération de la chronique des travaux ». Le plan de relance doit être « exemplaire en termes de travaux et de passation de marché ».

Tout en reconnaissant « l’extrême rigidité des contrats de concession », les parlementaires estiment que l’Etat ne doit « pas s’interdire de négocier contractuellement des avancées ».

Cela passe par un rééquilibrage des contrats avec une contribution « significative » au financement des infrastructures et également par un « partage des fruits de la concession ». En cas de trafic plus important que prévu, la durée de la concession serait raccourcie au profit de l’Etat ou bien les tarifs de péage seraient revus à la baisse au bénéfice des automobilistes.

Tout d’abord, les parlementaires sont favorables à la reprise des augmentations des péages prévues dans les contrats pour 2015. La première hausse de 0,57 % avait été gelée fin janvier par Manuel Valls, le temps de trouver une solution au conflit. Compte tenu des deux mois nécessités par le groupe de travail pour produire ses orientations, « une absence de compensation du gel pourrait être consentie pour cette période ».

Lire aussi : Autoroutes : Manuel Valls décrète le gel des péages

Le groupe de travail propose que cette reprise « soit concomitante à la mise en œuvre de premières mesures en faveur d’une mobilité plus écologique ». Cela se traduirait par une modulation des tarifs favorables aux véhicules sobres, peu polluant, au covoiturage ou aux jeunes.

Enfin, députés et sénateurs demandent à ce que le plan de relance soit transmis au Parlement après l’aboutissement des négociations entre l’Etat et les sociétés d’autoroutes afin d’en assurer le suivi. Ils souhaitent, par exemple, qu’à l’avenir « tout allongement d’une concession d’autoroute soit soumis au Parlement ».

À moyen et plus long terme, le groupe veut redonner à l’Etat les moyens de peser dans le rapport de force avec les concessionnaires « pour conduire une politique de mobilité mieux adaptée aux enjeux actuels ». Cela passerait par une renégociation des contrats historiques et par une réflexion de fonds pour anticiper le futur.