Euro zone inflation unchanged at 5.3% in August

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The annual rate of inflation across the euro area in August is estimated to have remained unchanged at 5.3%.

This is a slightly higher rate than had been predicted by economists.

Energy prices jumped 3.2% in the month but, on an annual basis, they are still down 3.3% compared to August last year.

The rate of food price inflation slowed but remained high at an annual rate of 9.8%.

The estimated annual rate of services inflation slowed from 5.6% to 5.5%.

Core inflation, which strips out energy and unprocessed food, slowed from an annual rate of 6.6% in July to 6.2% in August.

The estimated annual rate of inflation increased across several euro area countries, including Ireland, where the rate of price increases rose from 4.6% in July to 4.9% in August.

France saw its annual rate of inflation rise from 5.1% to 5.7%. Other countries, like Germany and the Netherlands saw their annual rates fall.

The mixed picture on what’s happening with inflation will make the ECB’s next decision on interest rates more difficult.

The ECB has increased interest rates at each of its past nine meetings. Its base deposit rate currently stands at 3.75%. Its next meeting is in two weeks’ time.

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