National economy Inflation in the USA is weakening less than expected

Inflation in the USA fell less than expected in September. Consumer prices rose by 2.4 percent compared to the same month last year, as announced by the US Department of Labor in Washington on Thursday.

The inflation rate is the lowest since February 2021, having stood at 2.5 percent in September. Economists had expected the rate to fall more sharply to 2.3 percent.

Compared to the previous month, prices rose by 0.2%. Experts had forecast an increase of just 0.1 percent.

Core inflation on the rise

The core inflation rate excluding energy and food rose from 3.2 percent in August to 3.3 percent in September. Compared to the previous month, core consumer prices rose by 0.3%.

An increase of only 0.2% had been forecast here. The Fed pays particular attention to the core rate. According to experts, it reflects the general price trend better than the overall rate.

The Fed is aiming for an inflation rate of 2% in the medium term. It is heading for a further easing of its monetary policy.

The financial markets are expecting a cut in the key interest rate of 0.25 percentage points in November. In September, the US Federal Reserve cut the key interest rate by 0.50 percentage points. This was the first interest rate cut since the great wave of inflation.

SDA