Euro zone consumers and economists increased their inflation expectation for this year, raising some doubts about European Central Bank's prediction that price growth is firmly under control, separate surveys showed on Friday.

French inflation was stable at the beginning of the year, figures showed Friday, a day after the European Central Bank again lowered its key interest rates amid a eurozone economy going nowhere fast.

European Central Bank policymakers backed further policy easing on Friday just a day after the bank's fourth straight rate cut, despite fresh surveys pointing to continued inflation momentum. The ECB cut interest rates to 2.

The European Central Bank lowered borrowing costs for a fifth time since June and while policymakers are confident the 2% inflation target is in reach, they are concerned about the euro zone’s stalling economy.