Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on March 19

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RETAIL SALES

The Statistical Bureau (CSU) releases January retail sales at 9 a.m. (0800 GMT). - For real-time economic data releases and market consensus forecasts, double click on the code in brackets:

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI]

CEZ STAKE SALE

The cabinet meets in a regular weekly session. It is expected to discuss sale of a 7 percent stake in power utility CEZ . The Finance Ministry recommends that the government sells the stake on the stock exchange.

News conference is tentatively called for 12 p.m. (1100 GMT).

[nL15728109] [nL14259204] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEZPsp.PR]

- For most recent stories on the CEZ stake sale, double click on [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEZPsp.PR-MRG].

SLOVAK CROWN REVALUATION

The Slovak crown is likely to jump on Monday after revaluation of its euro peg in the ERM-2 exchange rate mechanism opened new upside room, but some analysts said a sharp rise could be risky for the small economy.

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The Slovak crown's central parity in the exchange rate mechanism ERM-2, a precursor to euro adoption, has been revalued by 8.5 percent, the European Union's executive Commission said.

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CZECH CROWN HITS 8-WEEK HIGHS

The Czech crown jumped to eight-week highs versus the euro on Friday to extend last week's bull run, fed by buying by U.S. investment banks and economic data pointing at sustained robust expansion in the economy.

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- For previous updates on crown moves click on [CZK/]

CROWN SEEN FIRMING OVER COMING YEAR

A deep yield discount versus major currencies is likely to hamper near-term gains in the Czech crown, but it is expected to resume its long-term appreciation later this year, a Reuters poll showed.

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- FOR TABLE OF FORECASTS, DOUBLE CLICK ON [ID:L16586055]

LOWER INCOME TAXES

The Czech Finance Ministry plans to propose a cut in personal and income taxes, to be offset by a higher sales tax, as part of a package of measures overhauling public finances, a newspaper reported.

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The Finance Ministry plans to propose raising the lower, preferential sales tax rate to raise an extra 25 billion crowns ($1.17 billion) next year and offset an income tax cut, local media reported.

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NO EURO TARGET DATE

The Czech government should not set any firm target date for adopting the euro currency, Deputy Prime Minister Petr Necas said on Friday.

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INT.RATES CORRECT

Interest rates are set at the right level and the next move could be either a cut or a hike, central bank (CNB) Vice-Governor Ludek Niedermayer was quoted on Friday as saying in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency.

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RADAR STATION

Residents of the tiny Czech village of Trokavec have voted overwhelmingly against hosting a radar station as part of a proposed U.S. missile defence shield, local media reported.

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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

For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX

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

($1=21.41 Czech Crown)