Inflation levels in France hit a nearly 10-year high in September, according to preliminary data published by the INSEE statistics agency on Sept. 30. French inflation rose 2.7 percent, up from 1.9 percent in August; slightly less than the expected average forecast of 2.8 percent in a Reuters poll of 24 economists’ expectations but still its highest rate since December 2011. INSEE said its EU-harmonised consumer prices index fell 0.2 percent from August, giving a 12-month inflation rate of 2.7 percent, up from 2.4 percent in August. The increase was driven in part by an acceleration in prices of services, which shot to 1.5 percent versus 0.7 percent in August, and energy, which was up 14.4 percent versus 12.7 percent the month prior. Surging energy places are currently playing out across the globe with several European countries facing soaring energy bills as gas prices have risen more than 35 percent in the past month amid lower supplies and a surge …