Estimates by Eurostat, or the Statistical Office of the European Union, issued a few moments ago, showed that the annual inflation rate in the eurozone was stable at 5.3% in August, in the preliminary reading, the same as July, while expectations were for a slowdown of 5.1%.

In the details, prices in the energy sector declined at an annual rate of 3.3% in August, compared to a decline of 6.1% in July, while the prices of foodstuffs, alcohol and tobacco increased by 9.8% from 10.8% in July, while the services index rose to 5.5% from 5.6%.

The main index, which excludes food and energy prices, rose to 5.3% in August compared to 5.5 in July, matching expectations.