Euro zone inflation dips, opens door to ECB cut

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Consumer prices in the euro zone fell more than previously expected in December, the start of a retreat from a November peak that should give the European Central Bank more room to cut interest rates as the economy heads for recession. Inflation in the 17 countries sharing the euro was 2.7 percent in December on an annual basis, revised down from an earlier estimate of 2.8 percent for the month, the European Union's statistics office Eurostat said. "The pressure is abating although the risks from energy are still there," said Fabio Fois, an economist at Barclay's Capital. ...