U.S. October CPI: Inflation Slows, Both Headline and Core Exceed Forecasts

U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4% in October, down from 0.6% in September. Both headline and core inflation exceeded forecasts.

• Headline CPI rose 0.4% month over month, compared with 0.6% in September and 0.3% expected.

• Core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose 0.3%, compared with 0.2% expected.

• Year-over-year inflation was unavailable because October 2025 data was not collected during the government shutdown.

• Shelter prices increased 0.3%, accounting for over 30% of the monthly headline increase.

• Food prices rose 0.5%; groceries increased 0.4% and dining out increased 0.5%.

• Energy prices increased 0.7%, following a 5.2% rise in September.

• Gasoline prices rose 1.0% and electricity increased 0.9%, while natural gas fell 0.8%.

• Used vehicle prices declined 1.2%, while recreation increased 0.8% and vehicle insurance rose 0.7%.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — October 2026 CPI
• Associated Press — October CPI consensus estimates

Disclosure: Educational market information, not personalized investment advice.

Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by Aness Hussein Ali.