Inflation in Europe eased to an annual 2.4% in February, supporting the case for another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank - but leaving open how far the central bank will go in lowering borrowing costs for an economy that's still struggling to show robust growth.

Deutsche Bank now forecasts inflation could soar to 4.25% by summer, making further rate cuts a dangerous move. Chief UK economist Sanjay Raja warned that interest rate reductions might have to be “more backloaded than frontloaded” – meaning the BoE could be forced to hold off on cuts for longer than expected.

AUSTRALIA’S central bank board cut interest rates in February mainly due to the risk of keeping policy too tight for too long, though a strong labour market made it cautious about the chance of further easing.

Consumer prices in the eurozone were 2.4% higher in February than a year earlier, a slower rate of inflation than recorded in January, reassuring policymakers ahead of Thursday’s meeting.

Euro zone inflation dipped a bit less than expected last month but its most closely watched component also dropped, sealing the case for another ECB interest rate cut on Thursday and solidifying bets for further policy easing in the coming months.

Euro zone inflation eased to 2.4% in February but came in slightly above analyst expectations, according to flash data from statistics agency Eurostat. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected inflation to dip to 2.

Eurozone inflation eased to 2.4% in February but remained above forecasts, complicating the ECB’s rate-cut plans. Monthly price pressures, meanwhile, hit a 10-month high. View on euronews

Euro zone inflation eased to 2.4% in February but came in slightly above analyst expectations, according to flash data from statistics agency Eurostat out on Monday. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected inflation to dip to 2.