HIGHLIGHTS-Czech central bank monthly news conference

...conference on Thursday following a decision to hold interest rates steady for the sixth month running.

For a news report on the decision, click on [ID:nL29598110].

ON ASSESSMENT OF RISKS TO CPI OUTLOOK FOR UP TO 18 MONTHS:

"There was an agreement (on the board) that risks are balanced and that we lack significant stimuli to move rates in either direction.

"Today (the meeting) was very consensual."

ON OUTLOOK FOR INTEREST RATES:

"The forecast (due for quarterly revision next month) still assumes that interest rates will head rather higher in the medium-term horizon.

"In my opinion, personal communication of some of my colleagues -- meaning about their idea that a rate cut cannot be ruled out -- concerned rather the short-term horizon ... Obviously risks may evolve in any way.

"Stability is expected in the next few months... but then, in the horizon of a few months, the forecast assumes an interest rate rise," Tuma told reporters, adding this might mean rates could hold steady for one, two, three, four or even more months.