https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/inflation-heats-up-again-days-before-midterm-electionsContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/inflation-heats-up-again-days-before-midterm-electionshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/inflation-heats-up-again-days-before-midterm-elections#u177722Thu, 05 Nov 2026 15:22:14 +0000Consumer prices rose 3.6% in September from a year earlier, up from 3.4% in August, according to Commerce Department data. Monthly prices climbed 0.5%, the highest increase since May. While the US economy showed strong growth from July to September, rising costs remain a central issue for voters. The acceleration was driven largely by fuel costs, with oil prices exceeding $100 a barrel due to renewed violence in the Middle East. These figures maintain expectations that the Federal Reserve will implement a rate hike by the end of the year.Why it mattersThe inflation surge coincides with midterm