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Inflation remains sticky in Europe, with core prices cooling less than expected
Inflation in the 20-nation euro zone eased to 2.6% in February, flash figures showed on Friday, but both the headline and core figures were higher than expected. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a headline reading of 2.5%. Core inflation, stripping out volatile components of energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, was 3.1% — above the 2.9% expected. The European Union statistics agency said food, alcohol and tobacco had the highest inflation rate in February at 4%, followed by services at 3.9%. Energy prices, which had swollen last year as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, continued to reduce, with ... (full story)