Inflation moderated in the euro zone and the EU in February

From 2.8 percent in January to 2.6 percent in February, the rate of annual increase in the consumer price index in the euro area decreased. In the European Union, inflation slowed to 2.8 percent in February from 3.1 percent in January.
Compared to January, consumer prices in both regions rose by 0.6 percent in February.

In February, energy prices were 3.7 percent lower than a year earlier in the euro zone, compared to the 6.1 percent decrease in January. Compared to January, energy prices rose by 1.5 percent in February.
Excluding energy prices, consumer prices in the euro area rose by 3.3 percent in February after a 3.6 percent rise in January. On a monthly basis, the price increase was 0.6 percent in February.

The prices of food, alcohol and tobacco products rose by 3.9 percent after 5.6 percent in January. Prices did not change on a monthly basis.