Unipetrol: As reported last week, the state Anti-Monopoly Office has fined Benzina, 94% owned by Unipetrol, for cartel-like behavior. The fine reportedly amounts to CZK 98 mil., the Czech Euro weekly reports.
Benzina’s 2001 net reached CZK 41 mil., while the 2002 net is expected at near zero; thus the fine will likely have a huge relative impact on its 2002 bottom line. Nevertheless, the news is of minor importance relative to the current Unipetrol stock drivers (i.e., privatization, flood damage).
Jiri Soustruznik