Eurozone producer price inflation slows less than expected

(Sharecast News) - Wholesale industrial prices across the eurozone increased more than anticipated in July, according to Eurostat data released on Wednesday, though price pressures still eased over the month. The single-currency region's producer price index - which tracks changes in selling prices received by domestic producers - increased at a month-on-month rate of 0.4% in July, Eurostat reported.

That's down from an 0.8% jump in June - which followed three straight monthly declines - but ahead of the 0.2% consensus forecast.

The year-on-year rate of PPI inflation also slowed to 0.2% from 0.6%, but still came in above the 0.1% market estimate.

Over the month of July, the price of energy rose 1.5% across the region, while capital goods prices gained 0.1% and prices for durable consumer goods (products designed to last at least three years) rose 0.2%.

In contrast, prices for intermediate goods (products that are used in the production of other goods or services) fell 0.2%, while non-durable consumer goods remained steady.

Among member states, the steepest rate of PPI inflation over the month was recorded in Slovakia (+2.8%) and Ireland (+1.3%), while the highest rates of deflation were seen in Estonia (-1.0%), Latvia (-0.7%) and Luxembourg (-0.4%).