In Brief: Agora downgraded; Shedwood's largest plant; Polymus investor

Deutsche Bank has decided to cut its rating for Poland's leading media group Agora S.A., publisher of Gazeta Wyborcza, from "buy" to "underperform", at the same time as cutting its price target for the stock to zl.49 per share. Analysts say there are no prospects for an Agora recovery in the fourth quarter and the company's financial outlook for 2002 is poor. (Reuters) ... Shedwood Poland, owned by Swedish concern IKEA, has announced plans for the development of its manufacturing plant near Poznan. The estimated zl.35 million investment will create the company's largest production plant in the world. (Puls Biznesu, p. 13) ... American @Ventures has announced plans to invest in four media companies belonging to the Polymus group, namely TV channel Polymus Program, advertising agency Polymus BTL, IT company Comtica, and distribution company Polymus Dystrybucja. Negotiations will be concluded by the end of next month, although no further details of the deal have been disclosed. (Puls Biznesu, p. 10) A.K.