Hungarian inflation falls to lowest rate since 2021
Sept 10 (Reuters) -Hungary's headline inflation rate fell more than expected in August to a three-and-a-half year low, data showed on Tuesday, keeping pressure for further interest rate cuts on the table.
The Hungarian central bank has been the most aggressive in central Europe in easing monetary policy since last year but paused its loosening drive last month.
Before that, Hungary's central bank had delivered 15 consecutive cuts totalling 1,125 basis points. The main rate stands at 6.75%, and the bank has left the door open to further easing.
Data on Tuesday showed year-on-year inflation eased to 3.4% in August from 4.1% in July, coming in below a Reuters poll forecast of 3.6%. It was the lowest rate since February 2021.
Services price growth remained elevated, the data showed.
Economy Minister Marton Nagy told Inforadio late on Monday that the bank had "won the fight with inflation", saying too restrictive a policy would hurt the economy.
The central bank has said further rate cuts would depend on the monetary policy of major central banks, developments in the domestic inflation outlook and changes in Hungary's risk perception.
Amid the price surges of recent years, Hungary's inflation scaled the EU's highest levels of more than 25% in the first quarter of last year.
Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague and Krisztina Than in Budapest
Editing by Christina Fincher
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