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

UK policymakers link the decline to possible living-cost relief for policies tied to inflation.

The South African rand held unchanged ahead of its own inflation data release.

In Australia, Reserve Bank observers note inflation data is critical for forming interest rate expectations.

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