Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on March 2

...

LABOUR LEGISLATION

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs Petr Necas holds a news conference on labour law at 2 p.m. (1300 GMT).

- For most recent news on Czech politics, double click on the codes in brackets: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]

NO ECONOMIC DATA RELEASES DUE ON FRIDAY

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

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI]

EURO ADOPTION

Central bank board member Vladimir Tomsik urged the government on Friday to avoid proposing any specific target date for euro adoption before committing itself to a clear agenda for economic reforms.

[nL02185842] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEN-PLCY-EUR]

RATES ON HOLD NEAR-TERM

Central bank (CNB) policymakers held interest rates steady for the fifth month running on Thursday and reinforced market impressions that benign price pressures require no urgent policy tightening.

[nL01604532] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEN]

HIGH BOND SUPPLY

The Czech Republic unveiled plans on Thursday to boost local currency government bond borrowing between April and June, lifting market yields on concerns over the market's capacity to digest the debt supply.

[nL01423441] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-GVD]

UNIPETROL PROFIT BETTER THAN EXPECTED

Oil group Unipetrol posted a smaller-than-expected drop in 2006 profit, but its share price pared some gains after the company cautioned production halts would hurt profits this year.

[nL01226270] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-UNPEsp.PR]

CME EARNINGS BEAT EXPECTATIONS

Revenue and operating profit at television broadcaster CME beat market expectations in the fourth quarter as audience share in key markets rose to record levels.

[nL01560686] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-PUB]

ZENTIVA ENTERS HUNGARY

Drug maker Zentiva bought a portfolio of 23 products and related business in Hungary from its partner Sanofi-Aventis to expand its central European presence.

[nL01613135] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-ZNTVsp.PR]

STOCK MARKETS

Stock markets in parts of east and central Europe looked due for a correction even before the latest global turmoil and could suffer further losses despite good long-term prospects, regional financial analysts say.

[nL01617483] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-STX]

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))