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Headline Inflation at Fresh High, To Test ECB Resolve

EUROZONE DATA
(MNI) LONDON

Eurozone inflation soared to a new high of 8.6% in June, according to a preliminary release from Eurostat, up from 8.1% in May and outpacing market expectations of an 8.5% increase.

  • Month-over-month, prices rose an estimated 0.8%.
  • The increase was driven in part by higher gas prices, with strong y/y gains seen in Italy and Spain. German harmonised inflation slowed modestly, helped by fuel and travel subsidies, but it wasn't enough to slow the increase across the entire bloc.
  • Core inflation, ex-energy, food, alcohol and tobacco slowed moderately in June, dipping to 3.7% from 3.8% in May. Alone, energy inflation stood at 41.9% y/y, up from 39.1% in May.
  • The upside surprise will provide further headaches for the ECB ahead of the July 20/21 meeting. The strength of the number will increase the calls of the hawks for a 50 bps hike in July, testing the resolve of President Lagarde who reiterated the intention of a 25 bps hike. It also makes a 50 bps hike in September a near certainty, barring a sudden reversal of price pressures over the summer.

Source: Eurostat

MNI London Bureau | +44 203-865-3812 | les.commons@marketnews.com
MNI London Bureau | +44 203-865-3812 | les.commons@marketnews.com

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