Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Oct 25

PRAGUE, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Wednesday:

NO DATA RELEASES

No economic data are due out on Wednesday.

- For calendar of real-time economic data releases and consensus market forecasts, double click on <ECONCZ>.

CEZ STARTS ON WARSAW BOURSE

Czech power group CEZ is expected to make a strong debut on the Warsaw bourse on Wednesday as local cash-rich pension funds are likely to snap up shares in the market's first major utility, said fund managers and analysts.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-PL]

BUDGET MAY PASS FIRST READING

The Czech 2007 draft budget looks likely to clear its first parliamentary hurdle after Finance Minister Vlastimil Tlusty said on Tuesday opposition parties had signalled they could vote for the minority government's plan.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL] [ID:nL24924622]

NOVA SEES PRICE HIKES

Advertising prices on Czech television broadcaster TV Nova will rise about 15 percent next year.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ADV] [ID:nL24924622]

LOWER HOUSE TO DISCUSS TAXES

The lower house of parliament is due to hold second reading of an amendment raising tobacco taxes and possibly cutting the fuel tax.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]

PRESIDENT MEETS PARLIAMENT HEAD

President Vaclav Klaus is due to meet lower house speaker Miloslav Vlcek to discuss scenarios to end a parliamentary stalemate lasting since elections in June (0800 GMT).

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]

GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS AERO, EURO

The government is due to discuss sale of jet maker Aero Vodochody to investment group Penta. Scenarios for euro adoption also on agenda (news conference at 1930 GMT).

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL-MRG]

UNIPETROL <UNPEsp.PR> RELAUNCHES BENZINA

Chiefs of oil group Unipetrol <UNPEsp.PR> and its majority owner PKN Orlen <PKNA.WA> hold presentation on rebranding of Unipetrol's petrol station chain Benzina (1000).

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-PL]

AIRLINE INCIDENT

Three Egyptians tried to break into the cockpit of a Czech Airlines plane last year in what may have been a test of security measures ahead of a terror attack, the Czech counter intelligence agency said.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-SECUR] [ID:nL2425992]

POLL: RATES SEEN ON HOLD THIS WEEK

The central bank (CNB) will most likely keep interest rates on hold this week, a Reuters poll showed, but a slim majority of analysts forecast further tightening before the year-end to keep inflation at bay.

[ID:nL20451838] [CNB/INT]

- For TABLE detailing analysts' interest rate forecasts, double click on [ID:nL20536892].

- For FACTBOX on monetary decisions in central Europe, click on [ID:nL23820301].

POLL: CROWN SEEN FIRMING

The Czech crown is likely to rally more than 2 percent to new all-time highs of 27.70 per euro <EURCZK=> over the next 12 months, extending a long-term trend fed by rising exports, a Reuters poll shows.

[ID:nL1863825] [ID:nL18826170] [CZK/POLL]

Individual forecasts can be accessed through the following page <CZ/ECON07>.

Overview of past economic data and market forecasts <CZ/ECON15> For Instant Views of key economic data click on [CZ/INSTANT] For summary of economic data and forecasts <CZ/ECON01> 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 <G7TODAY>

For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 <.WIG20> Budapest BUX <.BUX> Prague PX <.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

((Compiled by Marek Petrus; Reuters Messaging: rm://marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; e-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com or marek.petrus@reuters.com; Tel: +420 224 190 477))