US Inflation Hits Lowest Since Feb 2021

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, rose by 2.1% in September, aligning with economists' expectations and reaching its lowest level since February 2021. Core PCE, excluding food and energy prices, increased by 2.7% year-over-year, slightly above forecasts and unchanged from August. This data supports the Fed's cautious approach to interest rate cuts, with a 94% chance of a 25-basis-point cut at the upcoming meeting. Despite inflation cooling, concerns persist over potential inflationary pressures due to factors like robust economic growth and a strong labor market. The report comes just before the Fed's policy decision and the U.S. presidential election, where inflation remains a central issue. Personal spending rose by 0.5%, surpassing expectations, while personal incomes increased by 0.3%.