WASHINGTON — Consumer inflation in the U.S. edged up in September, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a 3.0% increase over the past year — up from 2.9% in August. Month-to-month, prices rose by 0.3%, as energy costs — particularly gasoline, which surged 4.1% in September — took the lead.
While inflation remains far below the highs of prior years, it’s still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target — a signal that price pressures are far from gone. At the same time, the jobs market is showing signs of cooling, creating a delicate balancing act for the Fed as it considers interest-rate cuts.
Some economists point to recent tariff policies as one of the culprits nudging prices higher, especially for imported goods, though core inflation (which strips out food and energy) held steady at about 3.0% year-over-year. For everyday consumers, the uptick means rent, groceries and gas are still eating into budgets — even if the pace of increase has slowed.
As the economy heads into the final months of the year, the Fed’s next moves will be watched closely. If inflation stays sticky but the labor market weakens further, the central bank may face pressure to ease even while price risks persist.
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