Germany, France, Italy see rising inflation in September

China

Germany, France, Italy see rising inflation in September

2026-10-01 09:48 Last Updated At：15:38

Preliminary data released Wednesday showed inflation in Germany, France and Italy accelerated in September, fueled by soaring energy costs amid the Middle East conflict.

Germany's inflation rate rose to 3.3 percent in September, up from 2.9 percent in August, marking its highest level since the end of 2023, according to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistical Office.

Energy prices surged 14.9 percent year on year, widening from an increase of 10.5 percent in August.

The French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) reported that France's inflation rate climbed to 3 percent in September, compared with 2.4 percent in August.

Energy prices jumped 21.2 percent year on year, while fresh produce prices rose 9.9 percent.

Italy recorded the sharpest increase among the three, with its inflation rate climbing to 4.2 percent in September from 3.3 percent in August, according to preliminary data from the National Statistics Institute ISTAT.

China's RatingDog PMI for September points to fastest private sector expansion in months

China's private sector posted its fastest growth in months in September, according to data released Wednesday by RatingDog, a financial technology and credit research firm based in Shenzhen City, south China.

The RatingDog manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), which tracks smaller private companies, came in at 52.1, indicating the fastest factory output growth since April and 10 consecutive months of expansion, supported by rising new domestic and overseas orders.

The services sector expanded at the fastest pace in three months, driven primarily by new businesses.

All of this pushed the comprehensive PMI reading up to 52.4, in turn boosting overall business confidence. However, analysts noted that fierce market competition has sparked price wars among many companies, warning that profit margins could be squeezed further in the coming months.