Economic woes in Italy: trade sags, inflation rises

Italy's economic difficulties were underlined by a report showing a record $2 .7 billion trade deficit for September and signs of resurging inflation. It was the 11th successive monthly deficit and raised this year's shortfall to $15 billion, compared with $1.7 billion at this time last year.

Wholesale prices rose 1.2 percent in September, the largest monthly increase since last April. The figure dampened hopes that underlying inflationary trends were easing.