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Euro zone inflation slightly higher in October
Inflation in the 18 countries sharing the euro edged up slightly in October, a first estimate by the European Union's statistics office showed on Friday, giving some hope to policy makers that price deflation can be avoided. Eurostat said consumer prices in the euro zone rose by 0.4 percent in October, in line with market expectations, the day after inflation in Germany, Europe's largest economy, slowed in October to 0.7 percent, its lowest reading since May. The European statistics office said prices rose fastest for services, 1.2 percent, followed by the 0.5 percent increase for food, alcohol and tobacco. ... (full story)