- Martin van Vliet, an economist at ING Bank
Inflation in the Eurozone slowed by more than economists forecast, adding to signs the economic slump is deepening. Year-on-year consumer price index rose by 2.4 per cent, the least in more than a year.
"The persistent economic downturn in the euro zone is likely to keep underlying inflation low for a protracted period," said Martin van Vliet, an economist at ING Bank in Amsterdam.
"Although the ECB will likely keep interest rates on hold next week," President Mario Draghi "could open the door to further monetary easing later this year."
European stocks closed mixed on Thursday. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 0.35 per cent to 239.73. Germany's DAX Index edged lower 0.26 per cent while France's CAC 40 Index gained 0.05 per cent. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index advanced 0.18 per cent to 5,306.95.
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