- The main reason for the 1.6 percentage point drop was a drop in energy costs.
- These figures do not provide strong enough evidence that the European Central Bank may consider pausing its rate hike cycle that began in July.
- The ECB raised rates by 50 basis points in March, bringing its key benchmark rate to 3%. However, it gave no indication of possible rate decisions in the coming months.
A market stall in Madrid, Spain. Analysts digest the latest inflation numbers outside the euro zone.
Europa Press News | Europa Press | Good pictures
Inflation in the euro zone eased significantly in March as energy prices continued to fall.
Core inflation in the 20-member bloc stood at 6.9% in March, according to preliminary data released by Eurostat on Friday. In comparison, in FebruaryHeadline inflation was 8.5%.
The main reason for this 1.6 percentage point drop was the drop in energy costs.
However, other parts of the inflation basket remain stubbornly high. Food prices contributed heavily to March’s overall inflation measure.
Core inflation – excluding volatile energy, food, alcohol and tobacco prices – rose slightly from the previous month. reached 5.7 percent In March from 5.6% in February.
The figures do not provide strong enough evidence that the European Central Bank may consider pausing its rate hike cycle that began in July.
ECB member Isabel Schnabel made the headlines on Thursday inflammation Started to ease, but core inflation is proving sticky.
Although last year’s energy price increases spread rapidly across the economy, they are taking a long time to dissipate, and it’s not even clear whether it’s going to be completely symmetrical, meaning everything is going to drop. An event on Thursday, according to Reuters.
The ECB raised rates by 50 basis points in March, bringing its key benchmark rate to 3%. However, it gave no indication of possible rate decisions in the coming months.
The recent banking turmoil has raised questions about whether central banks are being too aggressive in moving interest rates to tackle inflation. ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane said further interest rate hikes would be needed to counter higher inflation if the bank’s volatility eased.
