July annual euro-zone inflation hits record 4.1% (by William L. Watts)

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Consumer inflation in the 15-nation euro zone accelerated at a record annual pace of 4.1% in July, according to a preliminary estimate by Eurostat. Annual inflation hit 4% in June, more than twice the European Central Bank's annual target of near but just below 2%. The rise, however, is slightly below consensus expectations for a 4.2% annual jump.