United States: Inflation increases to a 31-year high in October
Consumer prices increased a seasonally-adjusted 0.94% in October over the previous month, accelerating from the 0.41% rise seen in September. The pick-up was broad-based, with greater price pressures recorded for energy, housing, transportation, and food.
Inflation jumped to 6.2% in October, above September’s 5.4%. Annual average inflation rose to 3.8% in October (September: 3.3%). Lastly, core inflation also increased, coming in at 4.6% in October, up from 4.0% in September.
Commenting on the inflation outlook, Leslie Preston, a senior economist at TD Economics, noted:
“Energy has been a headline grabbing story, and we recently upgraded our energy price forecasts. Higher energy prices are likely to weigh on growth and boost inflation in the coming quarters as they take a bite out of purchasing power. It looks like transitory does not mean short-lived. Stronger inflation pressures will likely lead the Fed to lift interest rates next summer, earlier than in our September forecast.”