WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) on all items, increased 0.4% in October, after rising 0.6% in September. The twelve-month CPI percent change could not be calculated due to the government shutdown last year, which prevented the collection of October 2025 data.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, rose at 0.3% in October.
Some indexes saw decreases this month: Used cars and trucks fell 1.2%, apparel dropped 1.1%, and for groceries, bread and ham decreased in price by 0.5% and 1.6% respectively. Energy prices, however, increased at 0.7% in October, after a 5.2% rise in September, with gasoline rising 1.0% in October. Shelter also increased 0.3%.
Real average hourly earnings for all private-sector workers remained level in October, with the 0.4% increase in average hourly earnings remaining level with the 0.4% increase in the Consumer Price Index.
Patrice Onwuka, vice president for economic policy at Independent Women, issued the following statement:
“Inflation heated up not surprisingly last month as the impacts of geo-political energy shocks continued to weigh on household budgets last month. High prices come just as families are preparing to break bread for Thanksgiving.
“Prices are likely to moderate over time as short-term issues like energy spikes resolve, but that won’t necessarily scale prices back to pre-pandemic levels. Part of the challenge is that structural factors that feed into food prices, which range from workforce challenges from an aging population and immigration enforcement to mandates on food labels, create tradeoffs that can keep prices high.
“Food affordability will come when we forgo needless regulations unattached to the health and safety concerns. The sweet spot is ensuring that the food industry can produce as many different food options at different price points that appeal to consumers’ budgets, tastes, and health consciousness.”
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