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DIARY - Egypt/Sudan - May 17

Reuters: [2008-05-17 09:10:00]

This diary is updated daily. New listings or amendments are marked *. All events/times provisional and in GMT (local time is GMT +3 for Egypt, GMT +3 for Sudan).

TODAY'S EVENTS

*SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak holds talks with U.S. President George W. Bush.

CAIRO - Court session in lawsuit filed by man against Egyptian academic Saad Eddin Ibrahim for $100 million in damages for "harm to Egyptian national unity".

COMING EVENTS

SUNDAY, MAY 18

SHARM EL-SHEIKH - World Economic Forum meeting starts, through May 20.

CAIRO - Arab League to hold meeting with representatives of satellite broadcasting channels to discuss mechanisms for regulating content, as per the Arab broadcast charter.

MONDAY, MAY 19

CAIRO - A coalition of 24 major Egyptian NGOs hold a press conference to announce the creation of an umbrella organisation to promote and advocate legal measures for the protection and freedom of NGOs, 1000 GMT.

*SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan gives a press briefing, from 1130 local/ 0830 GMT.

TUESDAY, MAY 20

CAIRO - Samih Sawiris holds a presentation on the listing of Orascom Development Holding on the Egyptian and Swiss stock exchanges, followed by a Q & A session 1300 GMT

MONDAY, MAY 26

CAIRO - Euromoney conference on Egyptian real estate.

THURSDAY, MAY 29

CAIRO - Egypt to choose international consultants for its planned nuclear power station.

TUESDAY, JUNE 3

*CAIRO - An Islamic Finance forum at the Conrad Hotel from 0845 local.

THURSDAY, JUNE 19

CAIRO - Telecommunications Regulatory Authority deadline for bids for Egypt's second fixed-line telephone licence.

TUESDAY, JUNE 24

SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Two-day meeting of African Union experts to prepare for AU summit.

THURSDAY, JUNE 26

CAIRO - Central bank's monetary policy committee meets.

FRIDAY, JUNE 27

CAIRO - Central bank issues statement on monetary policy.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Two-day meeting of African Union Executive Council to prepare for AU summit.

MONDAY, JUNE 30

SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Two-day African Union summit.

THURSDAY, JULY 17

ALEXANDRIA - Wikimania 2008 conference at Alexandria Library, organised by the Wikimedia Foundation, through Saturday.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7

CAIRO - Central bank's monetary policy committee meets.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8

CAIRO - Central bank issues statement on monetary policy.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

CAIRO - Central bank's monetary policy committee meets.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

CAIRO - Central bank issues statement on monetary policy.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6

CAIRO - Central bank's monetary policy committee meets.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7

CAIRO - Central bank issues statement on monetary policy.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

CAIRO - Central bank's monetary policy committee meets.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26

CAIRO - Central bank issues statement on monetary policy.

NOTE-Inclusion of diary items does not necessarily mean that Reuters will file a story on the event.

Key world financial events diary [KEY/DIARY]

International political diary [POL/DIARY]

Full index of available diaries [IND/DIARY] ((Cairo newsroom +202 2 578 3290/1, fax +202 577 1133, cairo.newsroom@reuters.com))

Keywords: EGYPT DIARY

DEALTALK-China buying into BHP? It's the thought that counts

Reuters: [2008-05-16 11:49:00]

(For more Reuters DEALTALKS, click on [DEALTALK/])

By Tom Miles

HONG KONG, May 16 (Reuters) - Since Chief Executive Marius Kloppers said last week he had no doubt Chinese money would one day show up on BHP Billiton's share register, investors have piled in, expecting Beijing's cash sooner rather than later.

There is, however, no firm evidence of Chinese buying and Chinese sources say top officials, who would need to approve such a move, are tied up with the emergency response to Monday's devastating earthquake in Sichuan province.

But traders have followed Kloppers' "when, not if" script and lapped up a rumour on Wednesday and a thinly-sourced media report on Friday, driving up shares in the world's top miner to a record. BHP stock has risen 49 percent in eight weeks.

Many analysts say they are surprised China has not bought into BHP <BHP.AX> <BLT.L> already, since it is a powerhouse producer of the commodities, such as iron ore, coal and oil, that are desperately needed for China's rapid economic evolution.

"By buying BHP and Rio shares or investing in joint ventures, particularly in iron ore, Chinese steel producers and the Chinese government could hedge against rising commodity prices," CLSA analyst Matthew Whittall said in a note to clients.

And since BHP is trying to take over its main rival, Rio Tinto <RIO.L><RIO.AX>, it is logical for China to target both companies to hedge against an eventual merger.

"If you wanted to be sure of a seat at the table in the global mining game, it would make sense to have 10 percent of the world's largest miner," said one senior investment banker involved in the sector, who declined to be named.

Chinese aluminium giant Chinalco already bought 9.3 percent of Rio earlier this year in collaboration with U.S. partner Alcoa Inc <AA.N>, a stunning move that appeared to throw a $14 billion banana skin in the path of BHP's takeover bid.

Chinalco was widely seen to be trying to stop two of the big three iron ore suppliers joining forces to pump up prices for China's steel sector, the world's biggest.

The threat to BHP's takeover plan was sharpened by Chinalco and Alcoa reserving the right to make a counterbid for Rio, but that threat has not materialised and the idea has lost traction.

Chinese investment in BHP would signal that Beijing is more at ease with the BHP-Rio deal going through, since it would put China on both sides of the equation and inflate BHP's share price, the currency of the all-stock takeover offer.

Since BHP's bid for Rio, both firms have taken out the megaphones to try to win over shareholders, most of whom hold stakes in both companies. Rio argues that BHP undervalues its growth, but even CEO Tom Albanese has conceded that the potential synergies are compelling, at the right price.

And he and Kloppers appeared this week at the same Florida conference, setting tongues wagging once again.

If China wanted to block the deal, it might be expected to quash all talk of Chinese investing in BHP, since that speculation is buoying BHP's stock, improving the bid terms.

AUSSIE LIMBO

Although the Chinese have the economic firepower to buy all of Rio, they are uncomfortable with owning non-Chinese assets and are far happier with partnerships and agreements, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters recently.

He said China's investment in Rio was motivated by a desire to get a seat at the table. China would be keen to buy certain iron ore assets that a combined BHP-Rio would have to dispose of and wanted to push for a 20-year deal on iron ore prices.

But if China does want to get into BHP, it might find it a much tougher task than the raid on Rio, since that purchase prompted both London and Sydney to tighten their foreign investment rules, putting a bureaucratic hurdle in the way of any Chinese investment in BHP shares.

Investment bankers say there is a logjam of more than a dozen potential Chinese M&A deals in Australian commodities, including the entry of Chinese coal giant Shenhua Group into Australia. But those deals are in limbo while the two governments thrash out an understanding about China buying up Australian assets.

Chinalco avoided regulatory entanglements in Australia by restricting its buying to Rio's London-listed shares. But BHP has a much smaller London float, forcing any major buyer towards the Sydney market.

And a Chinese buyer would also face the conundrum of buying shares without tipping off investors, who anticipate another Rio-style windfall if, or when, China snaps up BHP shares.

"I would buy on the market as much as possible," said the senior investment banker, on how he would advise China.

"Talk to hedge funds and large option holders. As soon as you do anything quick the market's going to jump."

(For more on BHP/Rio, click [ID:nSYD39050] (Additional reporting by Eleanor Wason in LONDON and Lucy Hornby in BEIJING, Editing by Ian Geoghegan) ((tom.miles@reuters.com; RM: tom.miles.reuters.com@reuters.net; +852 2843 6532, fax +852 2845 0636))

Keywords: DEALTALK/BHP

DIARY - Greece to June 13, 2008

Reuters: [2008-05-16 10:54:00]

This diary is updated daily and new listings or amendments 
are marked "*". All times are provisional and in GMT; +3 to get 
Greek time. 
_____________________________________________________________ 
DATE  GMT/LOCAL INDICATOR             PERIOD F/CAST  PRIOR 
------------------------------------------------------------- 
22/05    NA     Cbank C/A                   Mar      -1.843b 
29/05    NA     PPI                         Apr         9.9% 
30/05    NA     Retail Sales                Mar        -4.3% 
02/06    NA     PMI                         May         54.4 
03/06    NA     GDP (prov.)                 Q1          3.6% 
06/06    NA     Construction                Mar              
09/06    NA     Manufacturing output        Apr              
09/06 0900/1200 HICP                        May         4.4% 
09/06    NA     Ind. output                 Apr        -5.4% 
09/06 0900/1200 CPI y/y                     May         4.4% 
12/06    NA     Unemployment (monthly)      Mar         8.0% 
 
 
FRIDAY, MAY 16 
GENERAL/ECONOMIC EVENTS 
    *ATHENS - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew meets Greek 
President Karolos Papoulias, at the Presidential Hall, at 0800, 
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, at Maximos Mansion, at 0930 
and Foreing Minister Dora Bakoyanni, at luncheon, at the 
Ministry, at 1100 GMT. Bartholomew to deliver keynote speech at 
an event held by the Greek Economic and Social Committee on 
environment, at the Athens Music Hall, at 1700 GMT. 
    ATHENS - Economist Conferences organises Defence and 
Security Summit on "The outlook for stability in SE Europe and 
the Middle East", at Sofitel hotel.  
 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
16/05   0900  FHL Mermeren     <FHL.AT>      AGM 
16/05   0900  Bank of Attica   <BOAr.AT>     EGM 
16/05   1200  Post Savings Bank<GPSr.AT>     RGM 
 
 
SUNDAY, MAY 18 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
18/05   0700  ANEK Lines       <ANKr.AT>     AGM 
 
 
MONDAY, MAY 19 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
19/05   1400  Plaisio          <PLAr.AT>     AGM 
19/05   1100  Euromedica       <EMDr.AT>     AGM 
19/05   1400  Blue Star Ferries<STR.AT>      AGM 
19/05   1300  Axon Holdings    <AXOr.AT>     AGM 
19/05   1300  Benrubis         <BENr.AT>     RGM 
 
 
TUESDAY, MAY 20 
GENERAL/ECONOMIC EVENTS 
    BULGARIA - Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis pays two-day 
visit, to attend South East Europe Cooperation Process summit. 
 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
20/05   1200  Nireus Aqua      <NIRr.AT>     AGM 
20/05   0600  Petzetakis       <PETr.AT>     AGM 
20/05   1400  Sarantis         <SRSr.AT>     AGM 
20/05   1300  Infoquest        <IQTr.AT>     AGM 
20/05   1000  Titan            <TTNr.AT>     AGM 
20/05   NA    Jumbo            <BABr.AT>     9-month results 
20/05   NA    Mytilineos       <MYTr.AT>     Q1 results 
 
 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 
GENERAL/ECONOMIC EVENTS 
    ATHENS - Yalco <YAL.AT> holds company presentation, at the 
Institutional Investors Association. 
 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
21/05   1400  Active           <ACTr.AT>     AGM 
21/05   0600  Frigoglass       <FRIr.AT>     Q1 results 
 
 
THURSDAY, MAY 22 
GENERAL/ECONOMIC EVENTS 
    ATHENS - Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises holds its 
annual meeting, at the Athens Music Hall. Prime Minister Costas 
Karamanlis to deliver keynote speech, at 1430 GMT. 
  
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
22/05   1100  Kego             <KEGr.AT>     AGM 
22/05   0900  Reds             <CAMr.AT>     AGM 
22/05   0730  Microland        <MCRr.AT>     AGM 
22/05   0900  Lambrakis        <DOLr.AT>     AGM 
22/05   1000  Lamda Developm.  <LMDr.AT>     AGM 
22/05   0630  Singularlogic    <LDSr.AT>     RGM 
 
 
FRIDAY, MAY 23 
GENERAL/ECONOMIC EVENTS 
    ATHENS - Alpha Grissin <CSSr.AT> holds company presentation, 
at the Institutional Investors Association.  
 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
23/05   1400  Proton Bank      <PRBr.AT>     AGM 
23/05   1200  Hellenic Fabric  <HFAr.AT>     AGM 
23/05   0530  Pouliadis        <POUr.AT>     RGM 
 
 
SATURDAY, MAY 24 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
24/05   0800  Karatzi          <KRTr.AT>     AGM 
24/05   0600  Vardas           <VRDr.AT>     AGM 
 
 
MONDAY, MAY 26 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
26/05   1400  MIG              <MRFr.AT>     AGM 
26/05   1400  ATEbank          <AGBr.AT>     Q1 results 
26/05   NA    OPAP             <OPAr.AT>     Q1 results 
 
 
TUESDAY, MAY 27 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
27/05   NA    Folli Follie     <FOLr.AT>     Q1 results 
27/05   NA    Fourlis          <FRLr.AT>     Q1 results 
 
 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 
GENERAL/ECONOMIC EVENTS 
    ATHENS - Profile <PRFr.AT> holds company presentation, at 
the Institutional Investors Association. 
     
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
28/05   1200  Omega            <ASRr.AT>     AGM 
28/05   NA    Bank of Cyprus   <BOCr.AT>     Q1 results 
28/05   0700  National Bank    <NBGr.AT>     Q1 results 
 
 
THURSDAY, MAY 29 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
29/05   1100  Autohellas       <AUTr.AT>     AGM 
29/05   1300  Nexans           <ALCr.AT>     AGM 
29/05   0930  Motor Oil        <MORr.AT>     AGM 
29/05   0900  Fashion Box      <BOXr.AT>     AGM 
29/05   NA    OTE              <OTEr.AT>     Q1 results 
 
 
FRIDAY, MAY 30 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
30/05   0700  Maxim-Pertsinidis<MAXIM.AT>    AGM 
30/05   0900  Reds             <CAMr.AT>     AGM 
30/05   0900  HDFS             <HDFr.AT>     AGM 
30/05   0730  Microland        <MCRr.AT>     AGM 
30/05   1100  Mytilineos       <MYTr.AT>     EGM 
30/05   0700  Motodynamics     <MTDr.AT>     AGM 
 
 
MONDAY, JUNE 2 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
02/06   0800  Athens Water     <EYDr.AT>     AGM 
02/06   0600  Elve             <ELBr.AT>     AGM 
02/06   0900  Euroconsultants  <ERCr.AT>     AGM 
 
 
TUESDAY, JUNE 3 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
03/06   1130  Alfa-Beta Vassil.<ABVr.AT>     AGM 
 
 
THURSDAY, JUNE 5 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
05/06   1000  C.Rokas          <ARCr.AT>     AGM 
05/06   1200  Global           <GEFr.AT>     AGM 
05/06   1400  Euroholdings     <EUHr.AT>     AGM 
05/06   1000  Dias             <DIAr.AT>     AGM 
05/06   0900  Mochlos          <MOHr.AT>     AGM 
 
 
FRIDAY, JUNE 6 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
06/06   0900  GEKE             <GKE.AT>      AGM 
06/06   0800  Alumil           <ALMr.AT>     AGM 
06/06   0800  Frigoglass       <FRIr.AT>     AGM 
06/06   0900  Iaso             <IASr.AT>     AGM 
 
GOVERNMENT DEBT ISSUES 
Date   GMT   City    Event 
06/06  NA    Athens  PDMA announces amount for 5-year  
                     bond auction 
 
 
TUESDAY, JUNE 10 
GOVERNMENT DEBT ISSUES 
Date   GMT   City    Event 
10/06  NA    Athens  PDMA re-opens 5-year bond 
 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
10/06   0700  Keramia-Allatini <KEAr.AT>     EGM 
10/06   1100  Balcan Export    <BALr.AT>     AGM 
 
 
THURSDAY, JUNE 12 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
12/06   0800  Public Power Corp<DEHr.AT>     AGM 
12/06   1100  Sidma            <SDMr.AT>     AGM 
12/06   1100  Logismos         <MCLr.AT>     AGM 
12/06   0700  Varvaressos      <VRV.AT>      AGM 
 
 
FRIDAY, JUNE 13 
EQUITIES 
Date    GMT   Company Name      RIC          Event 
13/06   0700  Fourlis          <FRLr.AT>     AGM 
 
((Athens Newsroom +30 210 3311813, fax +30 210 3311829, 
athens.newsroom@news.reuters.com, tatiana.fragou@reuters.com)) 
    * NOTE: The inclusion of diary items does not necessarily 
mean that Reuters will file a story based on the event. 
    INDEX OF DIARIES - double-click on [IND/DIARY] 
  

TAKE A LOOK-BHP Billiton bids for Rio Tinto

Reuters: [2008-05-16 08:51:00]

    BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc <BHP.AX> <BLT.L> Chief Executive Marius Kloppers won't 
rule out adding cash to its all-share, around $135 billion bid for Rio Tinto 
Ltd/Plc <RIO.AX> <RIO.L>, amid persistent rumours that a Chinese entity is 
looking to buy shares in BHP. Chinese steel companies, meanwhile, are urged to 
boycott iron ore Rio sells in the spot market. 
    Double click on the codes in square brackets to see Reuters' coverage of BHP 
Billiton's bid for Rio. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 LATEST STORIES 
> BHP shares at record on China stake talk                  [ID:nSYD115459] 
> China industry group attacks Rio iron ore sales           [ID:nSHA309771] 
> BHP CEO won't rule out adding cash to Rio bid-CNBC         [ID:nSYD11531] 
> BHP Billiton shares hit record on China stake talk         [ID:nSYD53306] 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 ANALYSIS/BACKGROUND 
> BHP sees petroleum arm growing by acquisition             [ID:nSYD297507] 
> BHP CEO says China to buy stake in firm one day           [ID:nL07810742] 
> BHP defends oil unit as having good growth prospects      [ID:nL07797208] 
> BHP in ongoing talks with EU over Rio takeover            [ID:nL02247015] 
> Rio Tinto sees break-up as a reserve option-report        [ID:nSYD107749] 
> China may agree 85 pct iron ore price rise-sources        [ID:nSHA154950] 
> BHP approves $1.9 bln Worsley Alumina expansion            [ID:nSYD10493] 
> Rio considers working with Chinalco on bauxite            [ID:nSYD165273] 
> Rio defends its rebuff of BHP to its shareholders          [ID:nSYD26923] 
> BHP Q3 copper output drops; CEO swipes at Rio              [ID:nSYD38107] 
> Australia minister welcomes China mining investment       [ID:nSHA296918] 
> The odd couple: China woos unloved Aussie iron ore        [ID:nHKG218177] 
> Rio sells more assets as fresh bid talk swirls             [ID:nSYD88910] 
> Rio output mixed; China growth, bid talk lift shares       [ID:nSYD21165] 
> Australia to scrutinise any China move on BHP              [ID:nSYD72728] 
> China planning to buy stake in BHP Billiton-report          [ID:nSYD7386] 
> Rio Tinto says doesn't need BHP to find value             [ID:nN07225611] 
> BHP calls on Rio to prove takeover bid too low            [ID:nL27716752] 
> BHP to face growing pressure to raise Rio offer anew      [ID:nL19246082] 
> Chinalco more likely to raise Rio stake than cut it       [ID:nHKG314118] 
> Rio CEO says Chinalco stake bolsters BHP rejection        [ID:nN05634643] 
> China steel mills too slow to take Rio stake-executive    [ID:nPEK214274] 
> RLPC-BHP Billiton talks to lenders on record $55 bln loan [ID:nL03840577] 
> Rio Tinto H2 underlying profit rises 9 pct                [ID:nSYD170151] 
> Rio Tinto says may work together with Chinalco            [ID:nL13113497] 
> BHP may have to sweeten again to budge Rio - analysts     [ID:nSYD277450] 
> BHP raises Rio bid; no immediate Chinese riposte          [ID:nSYD136350] 
> Chinalco in no rush to leap into Rio counterbid           [ID:nHKG213891] 
> Rio shareholders underwhelmed by firmer BHP offer         [ID:nL06293363] 
 
 NEWSMAKERS 
> Rio Tinto's chief waits for richer BHP offer              [ID:nSYD297293] 
> New, no-nonsense BHP boss has Rio Tinto in his sights       [ID:nSP85882] 
> Chinalco chief, in second wind, hits bullseye             [ID:nPEK84655] 
  
 FACTBOXES 
> Chronology of BHP Billiton bid for Rio Tinto                [ID:nB445645] 
> Rankings of major mining groups                             [ID:nB441102] 
> World's 10 largest M&A deals                              [ID:nSYD188269] 
> How BHP and Rio compare in metals output                  [ID:nL01456311] 
> Recent major base metals mergers                          [ID:nL08630777] 
> Chinalco, maker of a tenth of the world's aluminium       [ID:nHKG185059] 
> Chinese companies expand mining overseas                    [ID:nT156255] 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Reuters 3000Xtra subscribers can access Metals Production Database by 
 clicking on URL below. 
 http://mpd.session.rservices.com 
 For related news and prices, click on the codes in brackets: 
 LME price overview      <RING=>   LME aluminium        <0#MAL:> 
 LME copper             <0#MCU:>   Asia physicals   <BASE/ASIA1> 
 COMEX copper futures    <0#HG:>   Europe physicals    <BASE/EU> 
 TOCOM aluminium        <0#JAL:>   Shanghai copper      <0#SCF:> 
 Shanghai aluminium     <0#SAF:> 
 Scrap metal prices     <BASEU3> 
 Base/minor metals news    [MET]   All metals news         [MTL] 
 Metals summary     [GLANCE/MTL]   Scrap metals news [SCRAP/EUR] 
 Index of summaries    [GLANCE/]   All commodities news      [C] 
 Metals diary        [MTL/DIARY]   Weather news            [WEA] 
 Foreign exchange rates   <FX=S> 
 For more Australian news...............[AUF] 
 For more on metals and mining..........[MTL] 
 For more on mergers and acquisitions...[MRG] 
 
  SPEED GUIDES <COMMODS> 
 <METAL1> <BASE/FUT1> <BASE/CASH1> <BASE/OPT1> 
 <LME/OPT1> <LME/FUT1> <LME/BROKER1> <LME/INFO1> <REUTERS> 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 ((Sydney Newsroom, 612-9373-1826 fax 612-9262-4727, 
jonathan.standing@reuters.com)) 
Keywords: RIOTINTO BHPBILLITON/TAKE A LOOK 
    

Poland - Factors to Watch on May 16

Reuters: [2008-05-16 08:14:00]

    WARSAW, May 16 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press 
reports and events to watch which may affect Poland's financial 
markets on Friday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland GMT + 2 hours): 
    POLKOMTEL STAKE 
    Poland's largest refiner PKN Orlen <PKNA.WA> is willing to 
sell its 19.6-percent stake in mobile operator Polkomtel to 
copper miner KGHM <KGHM.WA> or Vodafone <VOD.L>, PKN's deputy 
head said on Thursday.[ID:nL15106000] 
    MORTGAGE MARKET RECOVERING? 
    Activity on the Polish mortgage market is increasing again 
after a slowdown in the first quarter, the chief executive of 
Polish financial group Getin Holding <GETI.WA> said on 
Thursday.[ID:nL15752865] 
    C/A GAP WIDENS 
    Poland's current account deficit <PLCAM=ECI> widened in March 
to 1.605 billion and was above expectations, but analysts said 
the gap remained well financed and was not cause for concern for 
now.[ID:nL15772571] 
    AGORA DOWN 
    Investors punished Polish media group Agora <AGOD.WA> for a 
pricey purchase of an Internet classifieds business, sending its 
shares to 18-month lows on Thursday even as it reported a 
31-percent earnings rise.[ID:nL155772] 
    CERSANIT EARNINGS 
    Polish bathroom fittings maker Cersanit <CRSA.WA> reported a 
bigger-than-expected 28 percent drop in net profit as the 
strengthening local currency weighed on its export income. [ID: 
nL1643204] 
    BIOTON RESULTS 
    Polish bio-pharmaceutical company Bioton <BOTN.WA> reported a 
66 percent drop in earnings on jumping financial costs, the 
company said late on Thursday. Bioton's net profit dropped to 4.7 
million zlotys.  [ID:nL15170937] 
    POLNORD PROFITS 
    Polish real-estate developer Polnord <PNOR.WA> reported a 61 
percent drop in first-quarter earnings, the company said in a 
late Thursday statement. Polnord's net profit dropped to 31 
million zlotys. [ID:nL15757520] 
     
    NOTE - For a diary of forthcoming events see [PL/DIARY] and a 
calendar of east European economic indicators see [CONV/DIARY]. 
 For other related news, double click on: 
 Polish equities       [PL-E]     E.Europe equities     [.CEE] 
 Polish money          [PL-M]     Polish debt           [PL-D] 
 Eastern Europe        [EEU]      All emerging markets  [EMRG] 
 Hot stocks            [HOT]      Stock markets         [STX] 
 Market debt news      [DBT]      Forex news            [FRX] 
 For real-time index quotes, double click on: 
 Warsaw WIG20 <.WIG20>  Budapest BUX <.BUX>  Prague PX <.PX> 
 

Next: South African Markets - Factors to watch on May 16