URGENT: US CPI inflation up 0.2% in Sept

The US Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose by 0.2 per cent in September, continuing the same increase from July and August, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics on Thursday. Over the past 12 months, the all-items index climbed by 2.4 per cent, the lowest annual rise since February 2021.

Shelter and food prices contributed significantly, with index for shelter increasing by 0.2 per cent and for food by 0.4 per cent. Energy prices dropped 1.9 per cent, marking a second consecutive monthly decline, driven by a 4.1 per cent fall in gasoline.

Excluding food and energy, prices rose by 0.3 per cent, with notable increases in motor vehicle insurance, medical care, apparel, and airline fares. Over the last year, the energy index fell 6.8 per cent, while food prices increased 2.3 per cent.

Key figures include a 3.3 per cent rise in the “all items less food and energy” index over the last year, with motor vehicle insurance up 16.3 per cent and shelter prices up 4.9 per cent.

Attribution: US Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Subediting: Y.Yasser