https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/prices-increased-sharply-in-september-in-last-inflation-report-ahead-of-electionsContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/prices-increased-sharply-in-september-in-last-inflation-report-ahead-of-electionshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/prices-increased-sharply-in-september-in-last-inflation-report-ahead-of-elections#u128188Sat, 17 Oct 2026 14:45:19 +0000U.S. consumer prices climbed by 3.7 percent annually in September, exceeding expectations as surging energy costs and gasoline prices drove a hotter inflation report just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the data on Wednesday, showing the most significant advance since April across a broad range of goods. The sharp price increases added pressure to consumer shopping budgets and triggered a drop in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq stock indexes as tech shares fell. Meanwhile, Social Security benefits will receive a boost following the hot inflatio