Eurozone inflation takes surprise dip to 2.5%

The European Union's statistics office revealed the fall, which is down from 2.7% the previous month. While the dip was unexpected, annualised inflation for the 17 member countries remains above the European Central Bank's 2% target for the eighth consecutive month. The drop has been partly-blamed on a 6% surge in oil prices this year which is squeezing consumers while putting further pressure on companies to pass on higher costs. ECB's president Jean-Claude Trichet said earlier this month inflation will probably stay above 2% over the coming months and signalled a second hike in i...