Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on June 26

                                
 PRAGUE, June 25 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press
reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial
markets on Thursday:
                                
 ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 2 hours)

 ======================== ECONOMIC DATA ========================
                                
 Real-time economic data releases....................<ECONCZ>
                                
 Previous stories on Czech data.............[CZ-RTRS-LEN-ECI]
                                
 Overview of economic data and forecasts..........<CZ/ECON15>
                                
 Updates on Czech currency.............................[CZK/]
                                
 
========================= EVENTS ===============================
                                
 CENTRAL BANK RATE MEETING: The central bank is expected to
leave interest rates flat, as the record-strong crown currency
offsets inflation pressures. Many analysts expect a hike in the
third quarter. Decision around 1000-1100 GMT, news conference
expected at 1330 GMT.
                                
 Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]
                                
 
                                
 UNIPETROL AGM: Oil firm Unipetrol <UNPEsp.PR> shareholders
will vote on a dividend payment to be proposed by main
shareholder PKN <PKNA.WA>.
                                
 Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CHE]
                                
 
                                
 FINMIN SPEAKS: Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek speaks on
tax reforms (0630 GMT).
                                
 Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-GVD]
                                
 
====================== TOP NEWS ===============================
                                
 PENSION AGE RAISED: The lower house of parliament approved a
bill raising the retirement age to 65 years from 62, a key step
to keep the system in balance and prepare ground for further
pension reform.
                                
 Story: [IDnL25321335] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]
                                
 
                                
 ZENTIVA UPGRADE: Patria/KBC raised its recommendation on
Czech generic drugs maker Zentiva <ZNTVsp.PR> to 'hold' from
'sell' on Wednesday amid a takeover battle between shareholders
Sanofi-Aventis <SASY.PA> and PPF.
                                
 Story: [ID:nL25648443] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-DRU]
                                
 
 ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------
 Index/Crown Currency  Latest    Prev    Pct change   Pct change
                                
                              close   on day       in 2008
 Czech Equities  <.PX> 1,510.2  1,513.7   -0.23        -16.80
 vs Euro     <EURCZK=>  24.105   24.080   -0.10         +9.94
 vs Dollar      <CZK=>  15.372   15.459   +0.58        +18.22
 U.S. Equities  <.DJI>  11,812   11,807   +0.04        -10.95
 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500
                                
 
====================== PRESS DIGEST ===========================
                                
 Reuters has not verified the media reports, nor does it
vouch for their accuracy.
                                
 
                                
 ENERGY POLICY: An expert panel will recommend the government
to start environmental impact studies on all possible energy
projects, including nuclear power. This would raise the chances
for building a new nuclear power plant, although the current
government's coalition agreement bans that, as requested by the
Green Party.
                                
 E15, page 1.
                                
  
 For Instant Views of key economic data click on    [CZ/INSTANT]
 For summary of economic data and forecasts          <CZ/ECON01>
 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         <G7TODAY>

 For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets:
 Warsaw WIG20 <.WIG20>  Budapest BUX <.BUX>  Prague PX <.PX>

                                
 News editor of the day: Jan Lopatka on +420 224 190 477;
fax: +420 224 229 935
                                
 E-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com
 (Compiled by Jan Lopatka)