Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on September 18

PRAGUE, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Monday:

No economic data releases scheduled.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI]

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

GOVT EYES CEZ STAKE SALE

The minority right-of-centre Czech government wants to prepare a plan to gradually float a 16 percent stake in power utility CEZ <CEZPsp.PR> on the Prague Stock Exchange next year, Finance Minister Vlastimil Tlusty said on Sunday.

[nL17578776] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEZPsp.PR]

C.EUROPEANS BEEF UP COOPERATION

Leaders of the four biggest EU newcomers vowed to work more closely to press their interests with a strong voice within the 25-member bloc, which is set to expand still further next year.

[nL16811548] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]

REUTERS POLL: INT.RATES SEEN RISING

Most analysts believe interest rates will stay on hold this month, but a sizeable minority expects monetary tightening to keep a lid on resurgent inflation, a Reuters poll showed. All but three economists expected at least one hike by the year-end.

[nL15423443] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-INT]

- For TABLE detailing analysts' interest rate forecasts through next 12 months, double click on [ID:nL15429789].

INTERVIEW: C.BANKER SEES "DEEP" DEBATE ON RATE HIKE

Mounting inflation pressure in the Czech economy will force central bank policymakers to consider "deeply and thoroughly" an interest rate rise later this month, Vice-Governor Miroslav Singer told Reuters.

[nL14911380]

- For HIGHLIGHTS of Singer's comments, double click on [nL14126373].

OPPOSITION ON EURO ENTRY DELAY

The Czech Republic should postpone euro entry by a year or two if meeting the criteria to join earlier would mean cutting social benefits, leftist oppositon chief Jiri Paroubek said.

[nL15497812] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-EUR]

PM SEES EURO ENTRY AFTER 2010

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said on Thursday the previous government's aim to adopt the euro in 2010 was not realistic, and criticised the EU for using double standards to measure euro candidate states.

[ID:nL14880838]

TOBACCO TAX HIKE

The lower house of the Czech parliament gave preliminary approval to a draft law raising the excise tax on tobacco, aimed at boosting budget revenues next year.

[nL15436111] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-LAW]

TELEFONICA O2 BANNED FROM CONTRACTS

The Czech anti-monopoly watchdog banned telecoms firm Telefonica O2 Czech Republic <SPTTsp.PR> from closing contracts on data connections with Czech state institutions, pending an investigation of the deal. [nL15935041] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-SPTTsp.PR]

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; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420 224 190 477))