Eurozone July inflation steadies as estimated

Eurozone's annual inflation stayed unchanged in July as estimated earlier, final data released by the Eurostat showed Friday.

The harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) increased 1.6 percent on an annual basis in July, which was unchanged from the growth recorded in June. The outcome also matched the preliminary estimates.

Inflation was influenced by a 1.6 percent gain in energy prices, and a 3.5 percent increase in prices of food, alcohol an tobacco. Costs of non-energy industrial goods were higher by 0.4 percent than in July 2012.

Core inflation, excluding food, alcohol and tobacco, was 1.1 percent in July, down from the previous month's 1.2 percent. The latest figure matched flash estimates.

The lowest annual rates were observed in Greece, Bulgaria and Denmark (0.4%), and the highest in Estonia, Romania and the Netherlands.

On a monthly basis, the HICP recorded a 0.5 percent decrease in July, the agency said.

In the European Union (EU), the annual inflation rate was 1.7 percent in July, unchanged from the previous month. Month-on-month, consumer prices dropped 0.4 percent in the EU.