Slovak crown climbs to new record peak vs euro

    BRATISLAVA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The Slovak crown continued 
firming early on Thursday, registering a lifetime high of 36.360 
to the euro, and dealers predicted buoyant sentiment would drive 
the unit towards even stronger levels in the short run. 
    The crown has broken records on a daily basis over the past 
two weeks, cracking a key 36.500 per euro level in the previous 
session driven by demand from London-based investors. 
    "There is room for the crown to firm further," said 
Slovenska Sporitelna analyst Maria Valachyova. 
    The crown was quoted at 36.380 per euro as of 0730 GMT, 
compared with 36.455 late on Wednesday <EURSKK=>. 
    The unit has benefited from positive mood in emerging 
markets, Slovakia's ratings upgrades and an approval of the 2007 
state budget draft, which keeps the country on the euro adoption 
track. 
    The next key event may be the central bank's policy meeting 
on Tuesday, traders said. A majority of analysts expect on a 25 
basis-point rate hike although some said the strong crown may 
prompt the policymakers to stay put. 
    The central bank has tightened its key two-week repo rate by 
175 basis points to 4.75 percent this year to keep inflation 
threats in check. 
----------------MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 0730 GMT------------------- 
Crown/Euro <EURSKK=> 36.380 vs 36.455 on Wednesday (+0.19 pct) 
Crown/Dollar <SKK=>  28.742 vs 28.977 (+0.83) 
5-yr govt bond <SK5YT=RR> yield 4.597/4.397 vs 4.600/4.400 
8-yr govt bond <SK8YT=RR> yield 4.547/4.348 vs 4.552/4.311 
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 ((Reporting by Martin Santa, editing by Mike Peacock; Reuters 
Messaging: martin.santa.reuters.com@reuters.net; +421 5341 
8402)) 
  Keywords: MARKETS SLOVAKIA CROWN OPEN