Higher Energy Prices Pushed U.S. Inflation Up to 3.7% Ahead of Midterm Elections

October 14, 2026
Business

Fuel oil prices, used for heating in many homes in the Northeast, have also shot higher, rising 15.3 percent in September, or 74.2 percent on an annual basis. Higher fuel costs have boosted airfares, which were up 1.2 percent in September, or 22.4 percent over the year.

Food prices were flat for the month, but over the past 12 months have risen 2.5 percent.

“Core” inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, edged higher as well, but by a smaller magnitude. Over the course of September, these prices were up only 0.3 percent. Over the past year, they were up 2.6 percent.

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Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/14/business/economy/inflation-cpi.html