BERLIN, May 27 (Reuters) - German annual inflation in May was flat for the first time since reunification in 1990, easing from a 0.7 percent reading in April, data showed on Wednesday.
The preliminary figures released by the Federal Statistics Office showed prices fell 0.1 percent on a monthly basis in May after holding steady in April.
The annual slowdown was largely due to lower energy prices, the Office said.
Consumer prices harmonised to compare with other European Union countries showed a monthly fall of 0.2 percent and a year-on-year drop of 0.1 percent, following a monthly gain of 0.1 percent and an annual rise of 0.8 percent in April.
The Statistics Office's preliminary inflation calculations are based on data contributed by six German states.
Final German price data for May are due to be released on June 10, the office said.