CPI Report Live: US Inflation Climbs To 3.7% In September As Gasoline Prices Surge; Check Fed Rate Outlook, Stock Market Reaction & Key Highlights

CPI Report Live:  US consumer inflation accelerated in September 2026, with higher gasoline prices driving the monthly increase and underlying inflation also firming. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.7% year-on-year, compared with 3.4% in August, according to data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on October 14 and reported by Reuters.

The latest inflation figures have renewed attention on the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook, Treasury yields, the US dollar and Wall Street. Investors are assessing whether persistent price pressures could influence the central bank’s next policy decision.

US CPI Report September 2026: Key Inflation Numbers

The US Consumer Price Index increased 0.6% month-on-month in September, following a 0.4% rise in August. On an annual basis, inflation accelerated to 3.7%, exceeding economists’ expectations of 3.6%, Reuters reported.

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The figures indicate that price pressures strengthened during the month, with energy costs accounting for a significant share of the increase. The annual inflation rate also moved further away from the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target.

Gasoline Prices Drive US Inflation Higher

Gasoline prices were a major contributor to the September CPI increase. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the gasoline index climbed 9.1% during the month, accounting for more than half of the monthly rise in the overall CPI.

The broader energy index increased 5.2% in September after rising 2.1% in August. Over the 12 months through September, energy prices were up 20.4%.

Higher fuel costs can affect household budgets directly and potentially increase transportation and distribution expenses for businesses. The extent to which these pressures feed into other consumer prices will remain important for policymakers and investors.

Core CPI Inflation Also Increases

Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.3% in September, matching August’s monthly increase. On an annual basis, core inflation accelerated to 2.6% from 2.4% in the previous month.

Reuters reported that economists had expected core CPI to rise 0.2% month-on-month and 2.5% year-on-year. The latest readings therefore came in above expectations.

The core figures are important because they help analysts assess whether inflationary pressures extend beyond fluctuations in fuel and food prices. The September data showed that several categories, including recreation, used vehicles, education, airline fares, medical care and apparel, recorded monthly increases.

What the CPI Report Means For The Federal Reserve