Weak inflation data is hurdle on ECB's way out of easy money

FRANKFURT/BERLIN (Reuters) - Consumer prices in Germany, Italy and Portugal grew less than expected in April, data showed on Monday, raising fresh questions about the European Central Bank's plans to wean the euro zone off its supply of easy money.The ECB has been widely expected to wind down its 2.55 trillion euro (2.24 trillion pound) bond-buying programme by the end of the year and its President, Mario Draghi, expressed confidence in the economic outlook after last week's policy meeting.