Slovak crown flat, economic data, budget in focus

    BRATISLAVA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The Slovak crown remained 
trapped in a tight range against the euro, close to last week's 
all-time highs, as the market awaits the outcome of MPs' debate 
over the 2007 budget and economic data releases later this week. 
    At 1530 GMT the crown traded at 35.510 per euro <EURSKK=>, 
little changed from 35.500 late on Monday. It hit a record peak 
of 35.450 on Nov. 30. 
    "The market flows are balanced and it seems a sleepy 
Christmas trading is beginning," said a dealer with a foreign 
bank in Bratislava. "We will probably move in a range of 
35.400-35.600 until the end of this week." 
    Analysts said the crown might get a boost from detailed GDP 
data, due on Thursday, if they confirm a record 9.8 percent 
growth in the third quarter from a preliminary reading. 
    Industrial output data, due on Friday, will also be in focus 
with the market predicting a strong reading due to growing 
output from the new PSA Peugeot Citroen car plant. 
    Deputies have started debating the 2007 state budget draft 
on Tuesday. Analysts widely expect the overall fiscal gap to 
stay at 2.9 percent of GDP, a notch below the euro adoption 
threshold. 
    A Reuters survey showed on Tuesday the market sees the 
crown, retreating to around 35.850 by end-December on profit 
taking. The unit has gained 5.7 percent against the euro over 
the past three months. 
----------------MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 1530 GMT------------------- 
Crown/Euro <EURSKK=> 35.510 vs 35.500 on Monday 
Crown/Dollar <SKK=> 26.676 vs 26.700 
5-yr govt bond <SK5YT=RR> yield unchanged at 4.351/149 pct 
8-yr govt bond <SK8YT=RR> yield 4.275/115 pct vs 4.301/101 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
  ((Reporting by Martin Dokoupil, editing by Ian Jones; Reuters 
Messaging: martin.dokoupil.reuters.com@reuters.net; +421 2 5341 
8402)) 
  Keywords: MARKETS SLOVAKIA CROWN CLOSE