HICP Inflation Rate  7,0 6,0  Germany Greece Ireland Austria Portugal Spain EMU  5,0 4,0 3,0 2,0 1,0  Ja n 9 Ju 9 l9 Ja 9 n 0 Ju 0 l0 Ja 0 n 0 Ju 1 l0 Ja 1 n 0 Ju 2 l0 Ja 2 n 0 Ju 3 l0 Ja 3 n 0 Ju 4 l0 4  0,0  Months  Measuring inflation dispersion using regional data Concerning empirical analysis, one obstacle for an in-depth assessment of inflation dispersion in the euro area is the relatively scarce amount of available data.
The weaker job market and lower stock prices also began to weigh on consumers, though to a much lesser extent. With overall sales sagging, inventories remained excessive in many sectors. As the weakness in the economy intensified, policymakers responded. In June, President Bush signed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 into law.