Belgian August inflation slows from 24-year high

BRUSSELS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Belgian inflation slowed in
August from a 24-year high against expectations of a further
price spiral, mirroring a deceleration of price increases in
neighbouring Germany.

The Belgian rate fell to 5.39 percent year-on-year from
July's 5.91 percent, the Economy Ministry said on Thursday. A
Reuters poll of five economists had forecast 6.0 percent, with a
range from 5.7 to 6.07 percent.

The July rate had been the second-highest in the 15-country
euro zone behind Slovenia.

Month-on-month, prices dipped 0.61 percent due to cheaper
motor fuel and fresh fruit and vegetables. Prices had been 0.53
percent higher in July from June.

German inflation slowed more than expected in August,
figures showed on Wednesday pointing to weaker price pressures
in the euro zone, but European Central Bank policymakers
dismissed the prospect of an interest rate cut any time soon.

German annual inflation slowed to 3.1 percent from July's
3.3 percent, preliminary Federal Statistics Office data showed.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 3.2 percent ECONDE.

The German data offered an early insight into price moves in
the euro zone, where annual inflation was 4.0 percent in July.
Preliminary euro zone data for August is due on Friday and a
Reuters poll pointed to the rate easing to 3.9 percent ECONEZ.
(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Dale Hudson)