Economics
Euro-Area Prices Decline Most in Year as ECB Mulls Easing
- Inflation rate at minus 0.2% in February vs 0% forecast
- ECB to review stimulus program at March 9-10 meeting
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The inflation picture in the euro area deteriorated in February, giving European Central Bank policy makers more bad news to digest just a week before their next meeting.
Consumer prices in the 19-nation bloc declined to minus 0.2 percent from a positive reading of 0.3 percent in January, according to data published Monday. Core inflation, which strips out volatile elements such as food and energy, was at 0.7 percent, down from 1 percent in the prior month. Those are the worst readings since February and April of last year, respectively.