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

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

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

In Australia, Reserve Bank observers note inflation data is key for shaping interest rate expectations.

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