Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Jan 9

...

RAFT OF DATA RELEASES

December inflation and jobless data, and November foreign trade data are due for release at 9 a.m. (0800 GMT).

Inflation is seen remaining below the bottom of the central bank's target tolerance band in December, with the consensus forecast calling for the consumer price index (CPI) to hold flat month-on-month and rise 1.6 percent year-on-year , inching up from 1.5 percent in November.

The consensus forecast sees a 3.8 billion crown monthly trade surplus surplus, the best result for the month of November on record . In November 2005, the surplus reached 2.48 billion crowns.

[ID:nL05577682] [ID:nL05703680]

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

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI]

- A full table of analysts' forecasts for economic indicators due out in January can be accessed through Reuters page .

GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENT

President Vaclav Klaus said is scheduled to name a new government led by rightist Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, though it is unclear whether he has the support to win a parliamentary confidence vote.

[nL08799949]

Klaus meets Topolanek to appoint his three-party coalition cabinet at 11 a.m. (1000 GMT).

- For FACTBOX on key posts in the new government, double click on [nL08820235].

- For FACTBOC on key points of the coalition agreement, see [nL08658091].

The new cabinet meets in an inaugural session at 11:30 a.m. (1030 GMT).

News conference is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. (1115 GMT).

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

RUSSIA HALTS OIL SUPPLIES TO EUROPE

Russia, accusing Belarus of stealing oil from a major pipeline, has shut off crude exports to its western neighbour, halting supplies to Poland and Germany and threatening wider disruptions in central Europe.

[nL08827603] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-OIL]

Oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia from Russia was halted, as expected, on Monday evening amid a dispute between Moscow and Belarus, oil pipeline operator Transpetrol said. The pipeline's southern spur takes oil to Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary.

[nL08795851]

- For FACTBOX on impact of supply cuts on various European refineries, double click on [nL0890900].

BUDVAR IN TIE-UP WITH ANHEUSER

Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc. will become the U.S. importer of Czechvar Premium Czech Lager, the U.S. brewer said jointly with the Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar.

[nN08356122]

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]