Eurozone inflation accelerates in September, adding pressure on the European Central Bank

Eurozone inflation accelerated in September across France, Italy, Spain and five German states, driven by energy prices, pressing the European Central Bank to raise rates.

• France's harmonized inflation rose to 3.4% year-on-year in September, from 2.6% in August.
• Inflation in Italy jumped to 4.1% and in Spain to 5%, both exceeding the European Central Bank's 2% target.
• Five major German states reported sharp inflation rises in September, signaling a likely increase in the national rate.
• The European Central Bank has raised interest rates twice this year.