Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Oct 27

PRAGUE, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Friday:

RATES ON HOLD

The central bank (CNB) kept its benchmark interest rate steady, matching market expectations that it would pause in its tightening cycle after a quarter of a percentage point hike last month.

[nL26548848] [CNB/INT]

- For TABLE outlining the central bank's new quarterly economic forecasts, double click on [nPRA000994].

- For TABLE detailing analysts' interest rate forecasts before this week's meeting, click on [ID:nL20536892].

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

TELEFONICA RESULTS

Telecommunications group Telefonica O2 Czech Republic <SPTTsp.PR>, formerly known as Cesky Telecom, releases nine-month results at 1:30 p.m. (1130 GMT).

- For analysts earnings forecasts, double click on [ID:nL23853987].

Conference call with CEO Jaime Smith starts at 1400 GMT.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-SPTTsp.PR]

UNIPETROL NEWS CONFERENCE

Downstream oil group Unipetrol <UNPEsp.PR> holds a news conference at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) to discuss the sale of its chemicals plant Spolana.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-UNPEsp.PR]

- For this week's Reuters interview with Unipetrol CEO, double click on [ID:nL25329188].

BUDGET APPROVAL

The 2007 draft budget passed its first parliamentary reading, fixing its annual deficit at 91.3 billion crowns ($4.05 billion) as proposed by the minority government.

[nL26769575] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-GVD]

FINMIN PUBLISHES FORECASTS

The Finance Ministry publishes a quarterly update of its macroeconomic forecasts on its Web site www.mfcr.cz at 2 p.m. (1200 GMT). The estimates are unlikely to change materially from the outlook, which was published early this month and served as the basis for drafting the budget.

- For TABLE of forecasts included in the budget, click on [ID:nPRA000956].

CEZ SALE PLAN

Finance Minister Vlastimil Tlusty said the government will stick to a plan to sell a small stake in utility CEZ <CEZPsp.PR>, but may offer fewer shares if extra revenue for the budget is found elsewhere.

[nL26585618] RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEZPsp.PR]

EURO TARGET DELAY

A yawning fiscal deficit forced the Czech Republic on Wednesday to drop its aim of adopting the euro in 2010, reinforcing the market's view that euro zone entry was a distant prospect for larger central European economies.

[nL25734501] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-EUR]

- For FACTBOX listing key recommendations and forecasts in new euro adoption road map, double click on [ID:nL25380203].

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))