MW:Euro-zone July annual inflation rate slows to 2.5%
By William L. Watts
FRANKFURT (MarketWatch) -- Annual inflation in the 17-nation euro zone slowed to a 2.5% pace in July, down from 2.7% in June, the European Union statistics agency Eurostat reported Friday. Economists had forecast inflation to hold steady at 2.7%. The European Central Bank has twice raised interest rates this year, citing inflation concerns. The ECB's target rate for inflation is near but just below 2%.
