French inflation at 2.4 percent

PARIS, Sept 23 (AFP) – French consumer prices rose 0.3 percent in August and were up 2.4 percent from the same month last year, the national statistics institute INSEE reported Thursday, citing definitive figures.  

It said price hikes in August reflected an end to summer sales as well as increases in prices for oil products.  

The European Central Bank has set two percent as its preferred level of annual inflation in the 12-nation eurozone.