Slovakia - Factors To Watch on July 17

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EU'S ALMUNIA ON SLOVAK EURO PLAN

European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, will hold a news conference in Bratislava on Slovakia's euro adoption prospects, 0750 GMT. Almunia is to meet Prime Minister Robert Fico, Finance Minister Jan Pociatek and central bank officials.

REPO TENDER

The central bank (NBS) holds its regular two-week repo tender.

SLOVAK JUNE INFLATION MATCHES LOWS, RATES SEEN FLAT

Slovakia's annual EU-norm inflation was at record lows for the second month running in June, data showed on Monday, but analysts said a favourable outlook will not trigger interest rate cuts.

[ID:nL16335999] [RTRS-ECI-MCE-PLCY-SK]

SLOVAK C.BANK SAYS JUNE INFLATION BELOW ITS FCAST

Slovakia's EU-norm inflation came in below the central bank's (NBS) expectations in June, and price growth looked likely to ebb in July, the NBS said on Monday.

[ID:nPRG000421] [RTRS-CEN-ECI-MCE-SK]

SLOVAK CROWN HITS 3-MONTH PEAK VS EURO, SEEN UP

The Slovak crown extended its week-long rally on a positive regional mood and rose to three-month highs against the euro on Monday, and dealers said more gains were possible in the short term.

[ID:nL16207497] [RTRS-FRX-MMT-SK]

SLOVAK JUNE JOBLESS RATE MATCHES RECORD LOW

Slovakia's unemployment rate was 8.33 percent in June, matching May's record low, the Labour Office said on Monday.

[ID:nPRG000420] [RTRS-JOB-MCE-ECI-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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The Smer party of Prime Minister Robert Fico has increased its lead in opinion polls. Smer support stood at 43 percent in a July survey by the Slovak Statistics Office, up from 40.7 percent in June.

Sme

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

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