US consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in October

United States consumer prices rose by 0.4 percent in October, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The Washington Examiner, CNBC, Financial Times, and Anadolu Ajansi all reported that the consumer price index increased by 0.4 percent for the month. CNBC added that economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected a 0.3 percent increase. [1][3][4][7][8]

The latest figure represents a higher reading than expected by most economists, according to the Washington Examiner and CNBC. However, the Wall Street Journal and the Guardian described the 0.4 percent monthly rise as a slip or cooldown in price increases from the previous month. The Guardian reported that gas costs dipped during the month. [1][2][4][5]

The Bureau of Labor Statistics did not publish a 12-month annual inflation figure in the update. The Washington Examiner, the Guardian, and Quartz reported that the annual comparison was unavailable because data was not collected in October 2025 due to a government shutdown. [1][2][9]

The news comes at a critical time for the Federal Reserve as it evaluates future interest rate adjustments, according to CNBC. The inflation report also follows recent United States midterm elections, which the Washington Examiner and the Guardian reported were heavily shaped by voter discontent over high prices. [1][2][4]