Slovakia - Factors To Watch on July 16

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EU-NORM INFLATION

The Statistics Office will publish EU-norm inflation data for June, 0700 GMT. Analysts forecast price growth of 0.1 month-on-month and 1.6 percent year-on-year.

BUY 1-YR RANGE BET IN EURO/SLOVAK CROWN-COMMERZBANK

Commerzbank advised investors to buy a one-year range bet in the euro against the Slovak crown to profit from expectations that the crown may enter the euro zone at weaker than current market levels.

[ID:nL13740056] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

RUSSIA PUTS YUKOS SLOVAK PIPELINE STAKE FOR SALE

Russia will auction Yukos Finance, bankrupt oil firm YUKOS's foreign unit which co-owns Slovak pipeline operator Transpetrol, for at least $298 million, YUKOS's receiver told Reuters on Friday.

[ID:nL13754804] [RTRS-BKRT-ENER-DBT-SK]

FARM CHAMBER SCEPTICAL ON GRAIN FORECAST

Slovak crop yields will come below the Slovak Statistics Office's July predictions, the Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK) said on Friday.

[ID:nL13924405] [RTRS-GRA-MEAL-SK]

C.BANK FOREX RESERVES RISE TO $17.8 BLN

The Slovak central bank's (NBS) foreign currency reserves rose to $17.835 billion as of July 11 from $17.733 billion a week ago, the bank said on Friday.

[ID:nL13587193] [RTRS-MMT-CEN-SK]

CROWN CLIMBS TO NEW 14-WK HIGH VS EURO

The Slovak crown climbed to a new 14-week high of 33.222 per euro on Friday, and dealers saw the unit testing even stronger levels before investors book profits from this week's gains.

[ID:nL13624296] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

CME BUYS REST OF SLOVAK TV STATION FOR $79 MLN

Television broadcaster Central European Media Enterprises said on Friday it has bought the remaining 20 percent stake in Slovak TV station Markiza that it does not already own for $79 million.

[ID:nL13743263] [RTRS-MDIA-PUB-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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LIBYA COMPENSATIONS

Slovakia should be one of the countries contributing to financial compensations to hundreds of children infected with HIV in Libya.

Sme, page 1

SNS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

The far-right Slovak National Party (SNS), a junior member of the ruling coalition, said it would put forward its own candidate for presidential elections in 2009.

Sme, page 2

BABY BONUSES

The Social Affairs Ministry is working on a study on whether the government can double the one-off payments for first-born children to 30,000 crowns.

Pravda, page 4

WORKERS SHORTAGE

Slovakia lacks qualified workers in many industrial sectors as strong economic growth creates new job opportunities. Many companies have already begun bringing workers from abroad.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 1

For news on upcoming events in the United States and other Group of Seven countries, see . For a diary of forthcoming Slovak events, double click [SK/DIARY], and a calendar of east European economic indicators, see [CONV/DIARY].

News editor of the day: Peter Laca on +421 2 5341 8402; fax: +421 2 5341 8403

E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk

Reuters Messaging: peter.laca.reuters.com@reuters.net

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($1=24.25 Slovak Crown) ($1=24.15 Slovak Crown)