Euro zone labor costs rise at fastest pace in six years

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone labor costs rose at their steepest rate in almost six years in the second quarter of 2018, data released on Friday showed, supporting the European Central Bank as it curbs economic stimulus.

Labor costs in the 19 countries sharing the euro zone rose by 2.2 percent year-on-year, EU statistics agency Eurostat said, up from 2.1 percent in the first quarter.

The increase was the highest rate since the third quarter of 2012.

The ECB is on track to end bond purchases this year and raise interest rates next autumn with inflation rebounding and growth leveling off at a relatively healthy pace.

Euro zone wage costs rose by 1.9 percent, the steepest increase in a year, while non-wage labor costs were up 2.9 percent.

Among the larger countries, labor costs rose by 3.6 percent in Italy, 2.4 percent in France, 2.0 percent in Germany and just 0.7 percent in Spain.

For Eurostat release, click on:

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/news/news-releases

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Rescue stopped after dammed lake near Nepal border started overflowing
• On islands key to Taiwan's defense, troops prepare for a Chinese first strike
• German industry presses Merz for tougher China policy