U.S. inflation rises to 3.7% in September as fuel prices climb
CPI rose 3.7% year‑on‑year in September; monthly prices up 0.6% as gasoline and airfares climb ahead of congressional elections.
U.S. inflation climbed to 3.7% in September as higher gasoline prices, clothing and airfare pushed consumer costs up just weeks before congressional elections.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.7% in September compared with the same month a year earlier; in August the annual inflation rate was 3.4%. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.6% in September, after a 0.4% rise the previous month.
Energy was a key driver of the increase: higher pump prices for gasoline, combined with more expensive airline tickets, were singled out as important contributors to the monthly gain, and clothing costs also recorded an uptick.
Wider effects and monetary challenges
Analysts note the persistence of inflationary pressure and point to the prolonged effect of the war with Iran on fuel costs. Inflation had eased considerably after peaking at 9.1% in 2022 but began to rise again after the war started at the end of February.
The renewed price pressure complicates the Federal Reserve's efforts to bring inflation under control and creates a political headache for Republicans heading into the congressional contests.
An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that only 17% of adult Americans approve of the way President Donald Trump is handling the cost of living. Only 26% approve of his handling of the economy overall, which represents a new low for him.
Photo: press material from the event
