Inflation up in three German states, pointing to slight national rise

BERLIN (Reuters) – Inflation in three German states inched up in May, preliminary data showed, suggesting that national inflation in Europe’s biggest economy may rise slightly, although price growth did decline in one state.

Economists will pay close attention to the national data later on Wednesday, as Germany publishes its figures before a euro zone inflation data release expected on Friday.

The inflation rate in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, rose to 2.5% year-on-year in May from 2.3% in April. In Bavaria, the rate…