Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Dec 19

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PEGAS RISES IN DEBUT

Shares in artificial fabrics maker Pegas Nonwovens rose 4.6 percent in their Prague Stock Exchange debut on Monday, giving back initial gains of as much as 12.1 percent booked in early trading.

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CEZ SEES NET PROFIT UP

CEZ , central Europe's largest utility group, expects its net profit before minority interests to rise 19.3 percent in 2007 to 34 billion Czech crowns ($1.61 billion), the company said.

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RESEARCH ALERT: JP MORGAN STARTS ZENTIVA

J.P. Morgan Securities initiated coverage of Czech drug maker Zentiva and Hungarian drug producer Richter Gedeon with overweight ratings.

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RETAIL SALES

Czech retail sales growth quickened to a stronger than expected 8.6 percent year-on-year in October, confirming this year's revival in consumer spending that analysts say may spark an interest rate hike by early 2007.

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NO ECONOMIC DATA RELEASES ARE DUE OUT ON TUESDAY

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

POLITICS

The Civic Democrats want to revive a three-party centre-right coalition, 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].

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]

FACTBOX ON C.EUROPE RATE MEETINGS...........[ID:nL18664439]

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]