Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on May 9

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FOREIGN TRADE

March foreign trade balance data are due out at 9 a.m. (0700 GMT). Analysts polled by Reuters gave a median consensus forecast of an 11.2 billion crown trade surplus for the month, after 13.6 billion surplus a month earlier.

April foreign exchange reserves are due for release at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT).

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI] - For real-time economic data releases, double click on the following code:

GOVERNMENT BOND

The Finance Ministry offers a 7 billion crown tranche re-opening the 5-year government bond through an auction to be conducted by the central bank.

- For auction details and results, double click on the code:

CABINET MEETING

The cabinet meets in a regular weekly session. News conference is tentatively scheduled for 12 p.m. (1000 GMT).

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EARNINGS POLL: KOMERCNI REVENUE SEEN UP

Komercni Banka , the only Czech listed lender, is expected to report a 10 percent rise in revenue for the first quarter of 2007 due to credit expansion, a Reuters poll of analysts showed.

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Erste Bank has raised its target price for shares in Komercni Banka by 16 percent to 4,400 crowns, leaving the stock's rating unchanged at "accumulate".

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EURO DISTANT PROSPECT

The EU's new members are poised for fast economic growth this year and next, but high budget deficits and inflation will make euro entry a distant prospect for most countries, the European Commission said.

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LEHMAN UPS CME

Lehman Brothers has raised Central European Media Enterprises price target to $100 from $80 and kept overweight rating on the stock.

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C.BANK NEARING RATE HIKE

Some Czech central bankers worry strong economic growth and declining unemployment might spur inflation, the minutes of their April 26 meeting showed on Friday, cementing market expectations of a near-term interest rate rise.

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- For full text of meeting minutes, please double click on [ID:nL04290427].

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- For FACTBOX detailing key assumptions of Czech central bank inflation forecasts, double click on [ID:nL0428777].

POLL: INFLATION SEEN AT 7-MONTH HIGH

Czech inflation probably rose to a 7-month high and returned to the central bank's target in April, a Reuters poll showed, confirming a resurgence of price growth which could spur an interest rate rise as early as this month.

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- OVERVIEW OF ECONOMIC FORECASTS: [nL02664655]

- SUMMARY OF COMMENTS BY CNB POLICYMAKERS: [ID:nnL26200293]

For overview of economic data and forecasts click on 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

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]