• Fed is still worried about inflation and it does not rule out another interest rates hike, according to yesterday’s minutes from FOMC meeting. On one hand, minutes caused bonds weakening; on the other hand dollar remained on current levels.
• Slovakia’s inflation reached 2.7% in March, core inflation 2.5%. Prices did not change in m/m comparison while prices growth is slightly below market consensus.
• IMF increased its forecast for GDP growth of the Czech Republic in 2007 from 4.7% to 4.8%. Also, IMF increased forecast for Eurozone to 2.3% from 2.0%. On the other hand, IMF decreased forecast for the USA to 2.2% from 2.9%. World economy growth was confirmed at 4.9%.
• Government decided that Czech Republic is going to pay to Dutch company Eastern Sugar without delay. State lost arbitration with the Dutch company, where it was awarded EUR 25.4m in compensation.