Slovak crown quiet, set to follow regional mood

    BRATISLAVA, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The Slovak crown <EURSKK=> 
held steady against the euro early on Wednesday with dealers 
saying its course would be dictated by regional sentiment in the 
short-term after an interest rate hike failed to boost it. 
    The crown traded at 37.405 to the euro as of 0800 GMT, 
compared with 37.400 late on Tuesday. 
    On Tuesday the crown jumped slightly on the back of a 
surprise 25 basis point interest rate hike by the central bank, 
but lost most of those gains late in the session. 
    "The crown will follow regional swings, there are no 
domestic impulses in sight at present, except waiting for 
details of state budget," one foreign bank dealer said. 
    In the medium-term, however, the crown may find strength 
from the central bank's stance, dealers said. 
    Governor Ivan Sramko struck a hawkish tone after the 
decision saying further monetary tightening was needed due to 
continued inflation risks spilling over from the uncertain 
development in utility prices and wage growth. 
    The leftist government of Prime Minister Robert Fico is in 
the final stage of preparing the 2007 state budget. It must be 
submitted to parliament by Oct. 15. 
     
----------------MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 0800 GMT------------------- 
Crown/Euro <EURSKK=> 37.405 vs 37.400 (-0.01 pct) on Tuesday 
Crown/Dollar <SKK=>  29.468 vs 29.501 (+0.11) 
5-yr govt bond <SK5YT=RR> yield 4.932/4.631 vs 4.917/4.617 
9-yr govt bond <SK9YT=RR> yield 4.714/4.515 vs 4.714/4.514 
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 ((Reporting by Martin Santa, editing by Cheryl Juckes; 
martin.santa@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: 
martin.santa.reuters.com@reuters.net; +421-2 5341 8402)) 
  Keywords: MARKETS SLOVAKIA CROWN OPEN