...Republic: GMT + 2 hours) ======================== ECONOMIC DATA ======================== July inflation and unemployment data due out at 0700. The consumer price index (CPI), a broad gauge of inflation targeted by the central bank (CNB), is expected to show a rise of 0.5 percent in July from June , according to the median forecast of 13 analysts in a Reuters poll. This would take the annual inflation rate to 2.6 percent from 2.5 percent in June, its highest since 2.7 percent in September 2006. The analysts' median forecast was for the jobless rate to show a seasonal uptick to 6.5 percent of the workforce from June's long-term low of 6.3 percent. Real-time economic data releases.................... -------------------- RELEASED INDICATORS ---------------------- The foreign trade balance posted a sixth consecutive monthly surplus in June, leaving the European Union country's booming economy on track to post a record-high surplus for the whole year. Story: [nL07596428] Instant View: [nL07648705] Previous stories on Czech data............[CZ-RTRS-LEN-ECI] Overview of economic data and forecasts......... Updates on Czech currency......................[CZK/] ========================== TOP STORY ========================== DEPUTY PM: Prosecutors dropped a bribery investigation against Deputy Prime Minister Jiri Cunek, giving the government a boost a week before a parliamentary debate on the cabinet's reform plans. Story: [nL07845146] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL] =========================== EVENTS ============================ FISCAL REFORMS: The budget committee of the lower house of parliament is expected to open debate on the government's public finance reforms at 0700. The plan is to change taxes and cut welfare spending to lower an excessive fiscal deficit. FACTBOX on proposed measures: [nL07797331] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL-GVD] ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change close on day in 2007 PX Index 1,770.4 1,755.2 +0.87 +11.42 vs Euro 28.140 28.100 -0.14 -2.27 vs Dollar 20.430 20.418 -0.17 +1.79 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500 ==================== ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS ==================== ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: Inflation looks likely to near the upper end of the central bank's tolerance range later this year, leading policymakers to keep raising European Union's lowest interest rates, a Reuters poll showed. Story: [nL07870329] Overview of forecasts: [nL07256844] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI] CEZ : Electricity utility CEZ has won a mandate to build a gas-fired power plant with a 600 megawatt (MW) output in the Russian capital Moscow, the state-owned company said. Story: [nL07454952] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEZPsp.PR] CME : KBC Securities has cut its target price on shares in central European broadcaster CME by 2.9 percent to $96.5 while keeping its "buy" rating, KBC said. Story: [nL07853488] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-BKOMsp.PR] (Reuters has not verified any of the newspaper reports that may be quoted above and does not vouch for their accuracy.) 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]