NEWS IN ENGLISH

Eurozone inflation edges down to 8.5% in February

Annual inflation in the euro area is expected to be at 8.5% in February, down from 8.6% in January, according to preliminary data released on Thursday.

Food, alcohol and tobacco is expected to have the highest annual rate of 15%, up from 14.1% in January, EU statistical office Eurostat said.

It was followed by energy with 13.7%, non-energy industrial goods 6.8%, and services at 4.8%.

Among member states, the highest inflation rates were seen in Latvia (20.1%), Estonia (17.8%), and Lithuania (17.2%).

The lowest levels were in Luxembourg (4.8%), Belgium (5.5%), and Spain (6.1%), Eurostat reported.