Annual inflation rises to 3.7% in September, driven by higher energy prices

Inflation rose to an annual rate of 3.7% in September, up from 3.4% in August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Energy prices were a major driver, climbing 20.4% over the past 12 months, while food prices increased 2.5%. Excluding food and energy, inflation rose 2.6% over the past year.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.6% in September, with a 9.1% jump in gasoline prices accounting for more than half of the increase.