Euro Zone Inflation Up: ECB's Last Mile Challenge

Euro zone inflation edged up in July to 2.6%, despite a slight easing in service sector price growth. The ECB is expected to continue cutting interest rates, although concerns grow over its effectiveness in reducing inflation to the 2% target by 2025.

Euro zone inflation unexpectedly rose to 2.6% in July, up from June's 2.5%, according to Eurostat's flash estimate. This rise occurred despite a modest reduction in service sector price growth, which dipped from 4.1% in June to 4.0% in July.

Underlying inflation, which excludes volatile items like energy and food, remained steady at 2.9%, defying expectations of a decline. This sustained inflationary pressure raises concerns about the ECB's ability to bring inflation down to its 2% target by 2025.

The ECB has been anticipated to cut interest rates in September and December, following one of the steepest series of rate hikes in its 25-year history. While individual data points like Wednesday's inflation figures add complexity, the central bank remains focused on broader inflation trends.

(With inputs from agencies.)