Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Dec 18

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RETAIL SALES

October retail sales due out at 9 a.m. (0800 GMT).

- For real-time economic data releases and consensus forecasts, double click on the code in brackets:

PEGAS DEBUTS

Pegas Nonwovens debuts on the Prague Stock Exchange.

The company holds a news conference at 0855 a.m. (0755 GMT).

The sale of new and existing stock by the artificial fabrics maker raised as much as 136 million euros ($178.3 million).

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PM TO SPEAK

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek meets Czech businessmen at an economic forum at 5 p.m. (1600 GMT).

POLITICS

The Civic Democrats launched an attempt to revive a three-party centre-right coalition on Friday, seeking the backing of left-wing defectors to end a stalemate dating back six months.

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- For most recent stories on Czech politics, double click on [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL].

CONFIDENCE VOTE IN MID-JANUARY

Topolanek was quoted as saying in the daily newspaper Pravo that he wanted to draw up the list of cabinet members this week and planned to ask the lower house of parliament for confidence in the middle of January.

Former Christian Democrat leader Miroslav Kalousek might become Deputy Prime Minister for Economy or Finance Minister, newspapers report.

REUTERS POLL: RATES SEEN ON HOLD INTO 2007

The central bank will keep policy on hold into early next year as inflation is below target while the crown is at record highs, a Reuters poll showed. The bank's policymakers meets to review interest rates on Thursday.

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ANALYSTS' INDIVIDUAL FORECASTS..............[ID:nL14492131]

Overview of past economic data and market forecasts For Instant Views of key economic data click on [CZ/INSTANT] For summary of economic data and forecasts 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

For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague 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))

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]