Consumer inflation in the United States rose more than expected in September, reaching an annual rate of 3.7%, up from 3.4% in August, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) also registered a monthly
increase of 0.6%, the largest since April, reflecting an acceleration of
inflationary pressures in the US economy.
One of the main factors behind this surge was the price of
gasoline, which rose 9.1% in September and accounted for more than half of the
overall monthly increase in the index. Year-on-year, gasoline prices increased
by 34.2%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, also
showed an increase: it rose 0.3% month-on-month and 2.6% year-on-year, compared
to the 2.4% annual rate recorded in August.
The rising cost of fuel and pressures in other areas, such
as housing, transportation, and some goods and services, continue to raise
concerns about the purchasing power of American households.
The inflationary surge could also influence the Federal
Reserve's decisions regarding interest rates. If price pressures persist, the
central bank would have less room to ease its monetary policy and could
maintain restrictive financial conditions for longer.