Inflation eased in France and Italy, and held steady in Spain in August, according to official data released today, offering mixed signals as the European Central Bank ECB considers its next move on interest rates.
The national statistics agency reported that in France, annual inflation slowed to 0.9%, down from 1.0% in July, largely due to a decline in transport and energy prices.
Using the ECB’s preferred harmonised consumer price index, France recorded a 0.8% rise in prices, down from 0.9% the previous month.
In Italy, inflation also dipped, reaching 1.6% in August, compared to 1.7% in July, as energy price increases moderated. The harmonised inflation rate remained unchanged at 1.7%.
Meanwhile, Spain’s harmonised inflation rate stayed flat at 2.7%. While fuel prices rose slightly compared to the previous year, costs for food and electricity saw some easing.
