EU Inflation at 1% for July            08/19 06:13

   BRUSSELS (AP) -- Official figures show that inflation across the 19-country 
eurozone was lower in July than anticipated, bolstering expectations that the 
European Central Bank will provide another shot of stimulus to the single 
currency bloc next month.

   Eurostat said Monday that consumer prices across the eurozone were up 1% in 
the year to July. That's down from the original estimate of 1.1% and means 
inflation is further away from the ECB's goal of just below 2%.

   The core rate, which strips out the volatile items of energy, food, alcohol 
and tobacco, was even lower at 0.9%.

   With growth faltering particularly in Germany, there are growing 
expectations that the bank will announce another package of monetary stimulus 
measures including a possible rate cut and bond purchases at its Sept. 12 
meeting.


(KR)