Euro area preliminary March consumer prices rise 2.5% year‑over‑year

Preliminary Eurostat figures show Euro area consumer prices rose 2.5% year over year in March, and 1.2% month over month. The year over year print came in below the 2.6% economists estimate. The reading signals persistent inflationary pressure across the bloc, complicating the European Central Bank's policy outlook. Investors and policymakers will watch final data and core inflation for guidance on interest rates.