Stable eurozone inflation boosts euro

NEW YORK, Mar 1 (AFP): A low but stable inflation number for the eurozone gave the euro a boost against the dollar Friday.
Prices in the euro region rose at an 0.8 per cent rate in February, unchanged from the month before, amid worries that the 18-nation economy could stall into a deflationary spiral.
At 2200 GMT the euro stood at $1.3800, compared with $1.3710 late Thursday. In trade during the day it reached $1.3825, its highest level since late October.
The euro also advanced to 140.44 yen from 140.05 yen, while the dollar slipped to 101.76 yen from 102.15.
Analysts said the eurozone inflation data reduced the possibility that the European Central Bank would further ease monetary policy at its meeting next week, and that spurred buying in the common currency.
ECB chief Mario Draghi insisted again Thursday that he saw no danger of deflation as there was no "evidence of consumers postponing expenditure plans."