Interfax: Czech Republic & Slovakia news report of 17.10.2008

STATISTICS

Slovak EU-harmonized inflation up 4.5% y/y in September to two-year high

Czech current account deficit widens in August to CZK 12.2 bln, in line with expectations

POLITICS

Belarus opposition leader Milinkevich applauds EU talks with Lukashenka regime

COMPANY NEWS

TRANSPORTATION

Flag carrier Czech Airlines’ passenger numbers up 5% in Q1-Q3

RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS

Successful entry of Prague-listed auto dealer AAA Auto on Russian market doubtful - analysts

REAL ESTATE

Czech developer Sekyra Group to sell up to 25% stake in holding, focus on large projects

Czech retail sales drop 3.3% y/y in August, steepest decline in six years

Patria starts coverage of Prague-listed ECM Real Estate Investments with ’buy’ recommendation

Czech developer CPI Group to open largest-ever retail park this month in Pribram

ENERGY NEWS

OIL & PETROCHEMICALS

Czech retail fuel prices drop; top-selling Natural 95 up to CZK 30.33/liter

Czech petrochem Unipetrol to squeeze out refinery Paramo shareholders at CZK 977 per share

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

INTERNET

Polish fund Garvest pays CZK 220 mln for stake in Czech Internet marketing agency Ataxo

BANKING & FINANCE NEWS

BANKING

Czech government says banks sound, raises state guarantees on deposits to boost confidence

EMERGING MARKETS NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Lithuania to commission first reactor of new nuclear power plant in 2018 – Lithuanian PM

FINANCIAL MARKETS

EQUITIES

Prague bourse PX index down 10.2% Friday to near lowest level in four years

Bratislava Stock Exchange (BSE), Indices, 10-17/09/2008

Prague Stock Exchange (PSE), SPAD trading, 10-17/09/2008

FIXED INCOME

Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) Treasury bonds, Direct trading, 10-17/09/2008

CURRENCY

National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) foreign exchange rates, 10-17/10/2008

Czech National Bank (CNB) foreign exchange rates, 10-17/10/2008

MONEY MARKET

National Bank of Slovakia, BRIBOR rate fixing, 10-17/10/2008

National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) official interest rates – 17/10/2008

Czech National Bank (CNB) official interest rates – 17/10/2008

CALENDAR

Czech Republic – calendar of upcoming events, 20-27/10/2008