Inflation jumps to 3.7% as gas and diesel prices squeeze consumers ahead of the midterms - NBC News

Prices rose across broad swaths of the U.S. economy in September as high energy costs triggered by the Iran war pushed up prices in many major consumer categories. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Wednesday that overall prices rose 3.7% from a year ago and 0.6% from August. Categories including housing, clothing, and restaurant and takeout food all saw price increases. Only three major categories saw price declines: groceries, medical care commodities and utility gas service. “The index for gasoline rose 9.1 percent in September, accounting for over half of the monthly all items increase,” the BLS wrote in its report. The report adds to ongoing concerns that persistent inflation is taking a toll on consumers, particularly as wage growth has been stagnant. As of September, the growth in wages was pacing at 3% on an annual basis. Paychecks have not grown faster than inflation since March.