Corrects third paragraph to reflect that January's fall was the biggest since July 2009
Eurozone inflation remained negative for the third straight month in February but the rate of decline in prices slowed more than expected, flash estimate from Eurostat revealed Monday.
The harmonized index of consumer prices fell 0.3 percent from last year, slower than January's 0.6 percent decline and the expected decrease of 0.5 percent.
The 0.6 percent fall in January was the biggest decrease since July 2009. The European Central Bank aims to bring inflation towards the target of below, but close to, 2 percent over the medium term.
Core inflation that excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco prices remained unchanged at 0.6 percent in February. The rate also matched economists' expectations.
Within overall prices, cost of food, alcohol and tobacco increased 0.5 percent and services cost advanced 1.1 percent. Meanwhile, energy prices plunged 7.9 percent and non-energy industrial goods prices were down 0.2 percent.
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