Euro zone consumer sentiment inches up in October

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone consumer confidence rose as expected to -8.0 points in October from -8.2 in September, the Commission said in its flash estimate on Friday. The index was forecast to rise to -8.0, with 35 economist estimates ranging from -8.6 to -7.0 In the wider European Union of 28 countries, confidence dropped by 0.1 points to -6.5 points, the Commission said in a statement. For European Commission data click on: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/db_indicators/surveys/index_en.htm (Reporting By Philip Blenkinsop)