Euro-zone inflation fell to 0.9% in June

Annual consumer price inflation in the euro zone fell to 0.9 per cent in June from 1 per cent in May, the European Union's statistical agency Eurostat reported yesterday. The figure was the lowest since last February, when annual inflation stood at 0.8 per cent, and was well within the 2 per cent limit that the European Central Bank defines as the ceiling for price stability. However, Mr Wim Duisenberg, the ECB's president, has recently warned inflation is likely to edge up in coming months a view supported by independent economists and has said this may compel a tighter stance in the bank's monetary policy.