U.S. inflation climbed to 3.7% in the year through September, with a sharp jump in gasoline prices driving much of the monthly increase while core inflation continued to rise.
The Consumer Price Index increased 0.6% from August, faster than the previous month’s 0.4% gain, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gasoline prices rose 9.1% in September and accounted for more than half of the overall monthly increase. The broader energy index climbed 5.2%, while shelter costs—which include rent and housing-related expenses—rose 0.4%.
Excluding food and energy, core prices increased 0.3% for the month, matching August’s pace, but the annual core rate edged up to 2.6% from 2.4%. Food prices were unchanged overall: grocery costs slipped 0.1%, while restaurant prices rose 0.2%. The figures show that the latest acceleration in headline inflation was led by fuel, even as price increases persisted across some other major categories.