Retail sales increased by 6.1%, y-o-y, in October. Selling well in October were motor vehicles, cosmetics and chemist's goods (year-on-year constant price sales index 109.8 for all), high dynamics was recorded for sales relating to air transport (130.6), supporting and auxiliary transport activities (121.3) and communications (120.8). Sales in non-specialized stores with food prevailing remained unchanged.
The 4C (coalition of four parties) agreed Petr Pithart to become its candidate for chairman of the Senate. Deputy chairman of the Senate are expected Jan Ruml, Zdeněk Vojíř and Přemysl Sobotka.
Slovak GDP increased by 2.5% in the third quarter 2000. Mainly exports and investments lead the economic growth. On the other hand, household and government consumption slightly dropped. The Slovak economy is thus rising quicker than the Czech one.
The Czech koruna dipped slightly against the euro on Thursday, as the dollar surprisingly fell following the U.S. Supreme Court’s final decision that supported chances of G. W. Bush to become a president. The Czech koruna was trading at 34.84 late on Thursday from 34.73 on Wednesday. The CZK/USD rate rose to 39.25 from Wednesday’s 39.66.
The longest state bonds 6.40/10 rose 60 points yesterday from late Wednesday to 93.94 with yield at 7.29. The state bond rose 40 points from late Wednesday to 100,05 with yield at 6.73.
(David Marek)