Interfax: Czech Republic & Slovakia news report of 14.11.2008

NEWS

NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS: Public holiday in Czech Republic on November 17

Czech economy grew by 4.7% y/y in Q3, above market estimates

MONETARY POLICY

Slovak central bank cuts key rate 50 bps to 3.25%; lingering doubt about eurozone entry – analyst

STATISTICS

Slovak inflation slows in October to 5.1% y/y, first CPI decline since January

Czech industrial production up 9.6% y/y in September, slightly above market expectations

Czech jobless rate drops slightly in October to 5.2% - Labor Ministry

Czech consumer price inflation slows in October to 6% y/y, below expectations

COMPANY NEWS

TRANSPORTATION

State carrier Czech Airlines profit down 28% y/y in Q1-Q3 due to higher fuel costs, strong crown

IPO WATCH: CEE logistics group CS Cargo acquires Czech courier CS Expres

PHARMACEUTICALS & HEALTHCARE

Prague-listed drugmaker Zentiva ups net profit 16.7% y/y in Q1-Q3; sales driven by Turkish arm

FOOD, BEVERAGE & AGRICULTURE

Polish equity group Enterprise Investors buys 42% of Czech-controlled drinks maker Kofola-Hoop

REAL ESTATE

Prague-listed developer ECM sells 15% stake in Russian shopping center for EUR 15 mln

ENERGY NEWS

OIL & PETROCHEMICALS

Czech retail fuel prices drop; top-selling Natural 95 down to CZK 26.98/liter

Czech petrochem Unipetrol to reduce capex target, delay share buyback/dividend decision – CEO

Czech petrochem Unipetrol Q3 operating profit down nearly 24% at CZK 722 mln

COAL

Czech KB initiates coverage of Prague-listed energy holding NWR with sell recommendation

Czech Coal group announces auction terms, energy groups CEZ and Unipetrol refuse to bid

HEAT, POWER & SEWAGE

Czech utility CEZ net profit up 40% y/y in Q3 at CZK 41.5 bln, foresees slowdown in demand

EMERGING MARKETS NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Gazprom exports to Germany down 19% in Q3, Central European sales down 13%

Odessa-Brody to transport Russian crude as long as Tymoshenko remains PM – Ukrainian pres.

Presidents of six countries sign Baku energy summit declaration

Russian Federation Council speaker reiterates Iskander warning as response to U.S. missile shield

U.S. secretary calls Russian prospective deployment of Iskander "provocative"

Finland will decide on Nord Stream after February 2009 - PM _

Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad to be off agenda if U.S. drops missile plan – Russian Foreign Min.

Iskander missiles will be deployed in Kaliningrad "in due course" – General Staff

FINANCIAL MARKETS

EQUITIES

Prague bourse PX index down 9.34% w/w Friday; broadcaster CME down 30% w/w

Bratislava Stock Exchange (BSE), Indices, 07-14/11/2008

Prague Stock Exchange (PSE), SPAD trading, 07-14/11/2008

FIXED INCOME

Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) Treasury bonds, Direct trading, 07-14/11/2008

CURRENCY

Czech National Bank (CNB) foreign exchange rates, 07-14/11/2008

National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) foreign exchange rates, 07-14/11/2008

MONEY MARKET

National Bank of Slovakia, BRIBOR rate fixing, 07-14/11/2008

National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) official interest rates – 14/11/2008

Czech National Bank (CNB) official interest rates – 14/11/2008

CALENDAR