MNI BRIEF: EZ Consumer Inflation Expectations Unchanged In Feb

Eurozone consumers see inflation at 2.6% in the year ahead, unchanged from January , the ECB's Consumer Expectations Survey showed on Friday.

Inflation three years ahead was also unchanged on the previous montn at 2.4%, which will reinforce the ECB's confidence that price expectations remain well anchored. Price expectations at both the one-year and three-year horizons remained below the perceived past inflation rate.

The perceived inflation over the previous 12 months decreased in February to 3.1%, from 3.4% in January. According to Eurostat, inflation across the EZ was 2.3% y/y in February.

The ECB continues to expect inflation to fall sustainably to the 2% target by year end and there will be little in the current release to change perceptions. (see MNI SOURCES: ECB Still Set For 2% Deposit Rate As Yields Surge )