11.   Czech companies, he told a press conference, are prepared for the potential impact on exports, which will become more expensive if the koruna appreciates.

12.   Czech companies, meanwhile, delayed some financing plans, including two domestic bond sales by utilities.

13.   Czech utility AS CEZ sold the first Eurobond from a Czech company in November.

14.   Except for the Skoda car plant, in which Volkswagen acquired a controlling stake, Czech companies have attracted few foreign strategic partners.

15.   Foreign companies have poached the best people from Czech companies with offers of higher wages and perks like cars.

16.   Harvard Group, which includes a brokerage and investment funds, has since October taken stakes and placed managers in about eight Czech companies.

17.   Investors, they said, will continue focusing on the biggest and most-traded Czech companies.

18.   Instead, the banks use the income from loans or other transactions with Czech companies to deliver swaps.

19.   It has holdings in the biggest, most sought-after Czech companies, such as telephone company SPT Telecom and electric company CEZ.

20.   Last October, Stratton announced that it had acquired significant stakes in seven Czech companies.