GREECE - Factors to Watch on May 14

ATHENS, May 14 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events which may affect Greek financial markets on Thursday:

BANK OF CYPRUS SEES 2009 NET PROFIT DROP

Cyprus's largest lender Bank of Cyprus BOC.CY (BOCr.AT) expects 2009 net profit to drop to between 300 million euros and 400 million euros, its chairman said on Wednesday. [ID:nLD804870]

GREECE SAYS RUSSIA TO SIGN SOUTH STREAM GAS DEALS

Russia' Gazprom (GAZP.MM) will sign on Friday agreements to build the South Stream pipeline with all countries involved, Greece's development minister said on Wednesday. [ID:nLD390057]

SHELL TO DIVEST GREEK RETAIL NETWORK

Shell (RDSa.L) is reportedly close to a deal to sell its retail gas station network in Greece, financial daily Imerisia reported citing unnamed sources. Hellenic Petroleum (HEPr.AT) is among the first companies that have expressed an interest, according to the paper. The two companies' representatives declined to comment, the report said.

www.imerisia.gr

AKTOR-VINCI JV SUBMITS LOWEST BID FOR ROMANIAN PROJECT

Ellaktor's (HELr.AT) construction arm Aktor, via a joint venture with France's Vinci (SGEF.PA), was declared the lowest bidder for the construction and management of a 2 billion euro highway project in Romania, daily Imerisia wrote.

S&B Q1 PRETAX PROFIT DROPS 83.9 PERCENT