CEE MARKETS-Forint holds steady as markets await central bank meeting

By Anita Komuves BUDAPEST, April 15 (Reuters) - Central European currencies were little moved on Monday, with the Hungarian forint holding steady after its losses from last week when a stronger dollar put pressure on emerging assets. The forint edged up 0.05% to trade at 392.65 versus the euro after falling more than 0.7% in the previous session. "After the dollar sent the forint lower last week, I expect the currency to spend this week in a wait-and-see mode as investors are already looking ahead to the central bank rate meeting," an FX trader in Budapest said. The National Bank of Hungary holds it next rate-setting meeting on April 23. In March, the bank cut its base rate by 75 basis points to 8.25% and said that it would slow the pace of rate cuts from the second quarter. The Czech crown edged down 0.04% versus the euro to 25.329. The currency has been unmoved by data releases in recent weeks, including inflation data that showed the trend of price growth hovering around the central bank's target and keeping a steady pace of rate cuts in play. "We are rather expecting continuing defensiveness for the crown, under the pressure of U.S. dollar gains," bank CSOB said. Analysts expect a calm week for the Polish zloty as well. The currency added 0.14% to trade at 4.279 versus the common currency. "Firstly, the calendar of macroeconomic data does not contain – in our opinion – important publications. Secondly, the escalation of tension between Iran and Israel has turned out to be short-lived for now," Bank Millennium wrote. "Thirdly, technical indications suggest that the potential for a continuation of last week's trends is running out." Stocks in the region were mixed, with Prague's main index easing 0.26% while Budapest was 0.31% higher. Warsaw's stocks were 0.49% stronger. CEE SNAPSHOT AT MARKETS 1014 CET CURRENCI ES Latest Previous Daily Change trade close change in 2024 Czech Hungary % Polish % % Romania % Serbian % % Note: calculated from 1800 daily CET change Latest Previous Daily Change close change in 2024 Prague 1554.83 1558.960 -0.26% +9.96 0 % Budapes 67499.20 67289.07 +0.31 +11.3 t % 5% Warsaw <.WIG20 2458.13 2446.16 +0.49 +4.91 > % % Buchare 16735.39 16882.42 -0.87% +8.88 st % Spread Daily vs change Bund in Czech spread Republi c ps ps ps Poland ps ps ps FORWARD 3x6 6x9 9x12 3M interb ank Czech Hungary Poland Note: are for ask FRA prices quotes ******************************************** ****************** (Additional reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz in Warsaw and Jason Hovet in Prague)