German inflation climbed to its highest level in three years in September, dpa quoted the statistics office as saying Wednesday, increasing the pressure on the European Central Bank (ECB). Annual consumer prices in Europe's biggest economy rose to 2.6 per cent in September on the back of a pickup in energy costs. This represents the nation's highest inflation rate since September 2008, when consumer prices hit 2.9 per cent, the statistics office said. Inflation rose 0.1 per cent on the month during September. Last month's increase pushed consumer prices further way from the ECB's 2-per-cent limit for annual inflation. The release of the latest inflation data came ahead of next ECB meeting set down for October 6. Some economists have already been speculating that the Frankfurt-based ECB will be forced to cut rates amid signs of slowing growth. But signs of renewed price pressures could complicate any move by the ECB to trim its benchmark refinancing rate, which currently stands at 1.5 per cent.
