Inflation Eases to 3.1% But Core Pressures Build as Corporate Ireland Delivers a Split Verdict

3.1% — that's July's flash inflation rate, down a whisker from June's 3.2%, according to the CSO this morning. Don't pop the champagne just yet. Strip out energy and unprocessed food and core inflation actually jumped to 2.9% from 2.6%, meaning underlying price pressures are still tightening their grip. Energy prices are up 6.5% year-on-year, and while food inflation looks tame at 0.8%, anyone who's been to a supermarket lately knows the...