UK inflation slid to 2.6% in June from 2.8% in May, propelled by lower petrol prices.

UK policymakers associate the decline to potential cost-of-living relief for policies tied to inflation.

The South African rand remained steady ahead of its own inflation data release.

In Australia, Reserve Bank observers point out inflation data is critical for guiding interest rate expectations.

Traders in South Africa expect the release of major economic figures after this week's turbulence in the rand.