The inflation rate in the Euro Area increased to 2.40% in December from 2.20% in November, matching consensus. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.40% in December over the previous month. The annual core inflation rate in the Euro Area,

Interest rates are set to fall again in most European countries, even as new data shows inflation surging on the back of higher energy costs. Consumer prices among the 20 countries using the euro increased 2.