Eurozone’s Core CPI accelerated again in the February reading. Eurozone’s February CPI 0.8% m/m (last -0.2%); 8.5% yr/yr (expected 8.2%; last 8.6%). February Core CPI 0.8% m/m (last -0.8%); 5.6% yr/yr (expected 5.3%; last 5.3%). January Unemployment Rate 6.7% (expected 6.6%; last 6.7%)
European Central Bank President Lagarde spoke in favor of a 50 bps March rate hike again, adding that subsequent increases will depend on incoming data.
A Bank of England survey showed that expectations for one-year CPI stand at 6.4%, down from 7.4% in the previous survey. CPI expectations for three years ahead slowed to 3.4% from 4.0%.
France’s January government budget deficit EUR21.20 bln (last deficit of EUR151.50 bln)
Italy’s January Unemployment Rate 7.9% (expected 7.8%; last 7.8%). February CPI 0.3% m/m (expected 1.4%; last 0.1%); 9.2% yr/yr (expected 8.8%; last 10.0%)
Spain’s February Unemployment Change 2,600 (expected 11,500; last 70,700)