Driven by low energy costs, consumer prices in Spain fell at their fastest rate in seven months in September, according to early estimates from the country’s National Statistics Institute (INE).<br /><br /> EU-harmonised consumer prices fell 1.2 percent year-on-year – more than expected.<br /><br /> National prices also slipped again – by 0.9 percent on an annual basis.<br /><br /> Meanwhile retail sales continued to rise on the back of growing demand.<br /><br /> The overall trend for Spanish inflation for the last 21 months is once again negative.<br /><br /> Spanish consumer prices have held below two percent for 26 straight months, according to the country’s National Statistics Institute.<br /><br /> Early estimates in Germany show annual inflation there turned negative in September for the first time in eight months.<br /><br /> Reports say the weaker-than-expected reading could push the eurozone rate below zero, boosting the case for the European Central Bank (ECB) to take more action.<br /><br /> The EU-harmonised consumer index showed a decline of 0.2 perc
