US inflation reaches 3.7% in September

Consumer prices rose 3.7% from a year earlier in September, compared with 3.4% in August, according to the BLS. The seasonally adjusted monthly increase reached 0.6%. [1]

Energy’s contribution

Gasoline rose 9.1% over the month, accounting for more than half of that increase. Excluding food and energy, the index gained 0.3% monthly and 2.6% annually. [1]

Household budgets

Bloomberg places the figures in the debate over purchasing power ahead of the midterm elections. Its reporting notes price increases beyond fuel, complicating the assessment of inflationary pressures. [2]

The next interest-rate decision

The data feed expectations of higher interest rates, Bloomberg reports. They do not constitute a Federal Reserve decision: officials continue to examine economic indicators ahead of their next meeting. [2]