German Inflation Creeps Higher in March

Inflation in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, crept higher in March, final data showed on Wednesday.

The national consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.3 percent year-on-year in March, up from 0.1 percent in February, the federal statistics office Destatis said in a statement.

The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) -- which is the yardstick used by the European Central Bank -- was also back in positive territory, rising by 0.1 percent year-on-year in March, compared with a drop of 0.1 percent the previous month.

Nevertheless, both numbers are way below the ECB's target of 2.0 percent, which the central bank defines as price stability.

The data confirm a preliminary estimate released at the end of last month.