Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Jan 22

PRAGUE, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Friday.

ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 1 hour)
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Real-time economic data releases....................

Previous stories on Czech data.............

Overview of economic data and forecasts..........

Updates on CEE currencies.............................

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LEFTIST ECON PLANS: The main Czech leftist party which leads opinion polls ahead of election in May plans to hike taxes to plug budget holes while no welfare cuts are needed, it said in a economic programme revealed on Thursday.

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CEE PROPERTY INVESTMENT JUMPS: Property investment turnover in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) surged more than 300 percent in the second half of 2009 from the first half, as pricing began to stabilise and confidence in local economies recovered, a report showed.

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KIT DIGITAL SHARE LISTING: Video technology provider KIT digital has placed 2.98 million new shares with U.S. investors at $10.50 each as part of stock offerings in New York and Prague, it said in a filing.

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CEE MARKETS: The Hungarian forint hit this year's lowest level against the euro on Thursday, with investors running for safer assets as worries about Greece's ability to finance its vast budget deficit loom over emerging Europe.

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---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------
Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change

close on day in 2010
Czech Equities 1216,2 1216,2 -0,34 8,85 vs Euro 26,148 26,109 -0,15 0,65 vs Dollar 18,515 18,539 0,13 -0,75
U.S. Equities 10389,88 10603,15 -2,01 -0,37
Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1600
=========================PRESS DIGEST===========================

CAR SALES: Sales of passenger cars in the Czech Republic fell by about a fifth in 2009 from 2008 to 786,000, a car importers association research showed. New car sales fell by 11 percent while used car sales dropped by 20 percent. Used car imports fell 37 percent.

Hospodarske Noviny, page15



CABINET VS EMPLOYERS AND TRADE UNIONS: Representatives of employers and trade unions rejected on Thursday the interim government's plan aimed to boost the economy hit by an economic downturn. Talks will continue next week.

Pravo, page 3



Reuters has not verified the media reports, nor does it vouch for their accuracy.


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(Compiled by Jana Mlcochova)

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