Slovak crown climbs to new record peak vs euro

    BRATISLAVA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The Slovak crown continued 
firming early on Monday, touching an all-time high of 36.150 to 
the euro, and traders said bullish sentiment would drive the 
crown towards even firmer levels. 
    The crown has been at or near record highs for most of the 
past month, driven by the approval of the 2007 state budget -- 
which kept euro adoption in 2009 on track -- rating upgrades and 
a buoyant mood on emerging markets. 
    The crown was quoted at 36.180 to the euro as of 0925 GMT, 
up by 0.28 percent from 36.280 late on Friday. The crown's 
previous record was 36.250 to the euro, hit on Oct. 27. 
    "There is a rally on emerging markets after Friday's U.S. 
data, the entire region is in a "sell-euro" mood," one 
Bratislava-based foreign bank trader said. 
    Traders said the crown should rally toward 36.100 per euro 
level in the short run for a mid-term target around the 35.800 
per euro mark. 
    "It (further firming) will depend on the regional sentiment. 
If it's supportive, as it is now in favour of all regional 
currencies, we might hit the 36.0 per euro by the end of the 
year," said ING bank analyst Lucia Steklacova. 
    Analysts said investors are watching September foreign trade 
data, due on Friday, for further indications that the booming 
car industry will improve the trade balance in the coming year 
and lend more support to the currency. 
    Analyst polled by Reuters predicted a trade deficit of 2.1 
billion crowns in September. 
----------------MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 0925 GMT------------------- 
Crown/Euro <EURSKK=> 36.180 vs 36.280 on Friday (+0.28 pct) 
Crown/Dollar <SKK=>  28.483 vs 28.555 (+0.25 pct) 
5-yr govt bond <SK5YT=RR> yield unchanged at 4.644/445 pct 
8-yr govt bond <SK8YT=RR> yield 4.429/229 vs 4.410/4.208 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
  ((Reporting by Martin Santa, editing by Chris Pizzey; Reuters 
Messaging: martin.santa.reuters.com@reuters.net; +421 5341 
8402)) 
  Keywords: MARKETS SLOVAKIA CROWN OPEN