Czech equities, as measured by the PX Index, were off by 0.7% to close last week at 1,542.1. The overall volume of trading on the PSE reached USD 723.6m, 4% below its 12M weekly average of USD 756.5m.
The market was influenced by weaker US macroeconomic data announced at the end of the week. CEZ was quite a volatile stock and reached an all-time high of CZK 891.8. The stock was supported by comments concerning the privatization of part of the state's ownership stake in the company; however, in the week's session, the stock closed lower by 0.8 percent. Erste Bank declined on the back of disappointing 3Q06 results and a downgrade from some of the analysts covering the stock. Philip Morris was also downgraded and finished the week down by almost 4%.
CME declined after some profit-taking, following the decrease in the USD/CZK rate. Unipetrol increased as international accounts were on the Buy side. One of the best stocks of the past week was Zentiva, which was up after reporting better than expected results and it saw nice demand from foreign investors. For this coming week, we will be waiting for the 3Q06 results, which should be announced by Unipetrol, Komercni Banka and CME. Also, local macroeconomic data will be released this week for the Czech Republic.