Italy's inflation slows less than expected
Italian inflation slowed in October but less than analysts had expected, official data showed on Tuesday, amid concern that weak growth in Europe could cause a deflationary spiral.
Italy's annual inflation was 0.8 percent in October, compared to 0.9 percent in September, the national statistics agency Istat said.
Prices were down 0.2 percent on a month earlier.
On Thursday the European Central Bank cut its key interest rates amid concerns that slowing inflation in the euro area could turn into a vicious cycle of falling prices.
The ECB reduced its benchmark "refi" rate by a quarter-point to near-bottom 0.25 percent.
Speculation of a pending rate cut had briefly surged when new data showed eurozone inflation slowing unexpectedly to a four-year low of 0.7 percent last month, raising the spectre of deflation.
Italy has the third-biggest economy in the eurozone.
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Italy's annual inflation was 0.8 percent in October, compared to 0.9 percent in September, the national statistics agency Istat said.
Prices were down 0.2 percent on a month earlier.
On Thursday the European Central Bank cut its key interest rates amid concerns that slowing inflation in the euro area could turn into a vicious cycle of falling prices.
The ECB reduced its benchmark "refi" rate by a quarter-point to near-bottom 0.25 percent.
Speculation of a pending rate cut had briefly surged when new data showed eurozone inflation slowing unexpectedly to a four-year low of 0.7 percent last month, raising the spectre of deflation.
Italy has the third-biggest economy in the eurozone.
Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
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