Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on March 9

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GDP NUMBERS

Fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data are due out at 9 a.m. (0800 GMT). Growth is expected to have slowed to a real 5.2 percent year-on-year from 5.8 percent in the third quarter, according to a Reuters poll of 13 analysts.

- For real-time economic data releases and market consensus forecasts, double click on the code in brackets:

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C.BANK MINUTES

The central bank (CNB) releases minutes from its March 1 governing board meeting at 9 a.m. (0800 GMT). All seven CNB policymakers voted to hold interest rates steady for the fifth month running at that session.

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LOWER CPI TARGET

The central bank (CNB) announced a cut in its inflation target to around 2 percent from 2010, saying the country's economy had shed its status as an emerging market.

The bank also pledged to be more open in communication from 2008, harmonising its policy framework with peers in industrialised countries.

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- For FACTBOX summing up the changes the CNB announced, double click on the code in brackets: [ID:nL08636993]

FEBRUARY INFLATION

February consumer inflation picked up in line with market expectations, data showed on Thursday, helping cement investors' outlook for a delay in further policy tightening until at least the summer.

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Consumer prices rose by 0.3 percent in February from January, causing the annual inflation rate to quicken to 1.5 percent in February from 1.3 percent in January.

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February inflation lagged the central bank's forecast made in January by some 0.3 percentage points, signalling modest price pressures in the economy, the central bank said in response to the data release.

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EU GREEN ENERGY TARGETS

A draft final statement at a European Union summit on Friday set a binding target of 20 percent of renewable sources in EU energy consumption by 2020 in an ambitious strategy to fight climate change.

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The Czech Republic is against setting a binding target for the European Union to make 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 but will not veto such a plan, Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra told Reuters in an interview.

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RESEARCH ALERTS:

ING UPS ZENTIVA TO BUY

ING upgraded its recommendation on shares in Czech generics drug maker Zentiva to "buy" from "hold" and lifted its 12-month price target to 1,570 crowns from 1,310 crowns.

[nL09162028] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-ZNTVsp.PR]

KBC CUTS CME TARGET

KBC/Patria lowered its target price for shares of central European broadcaster CME to $96.8 from a previous target of $101.9.

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Overview of past economic data and market forecasts For Instant Views of key economic data click on [CZ/INSTANT] For summary of economic data and forecasts For diary of forthcoming Czech events [CZ/DIARY] For calendar of east European economic indicators [CONV/DIARY] TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets [TOP/EMRG] TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch [TOP/EAST]

For an economic indicator diary for the euro zone, the United States and other Group of Seven countries see

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News editor of the day: Alan Crosby on +420 224 190 477; fax: +420 224 229 935

E-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com

Reuters Messaging: alan.crosby.reuters.com@reuters.net