The cost of living in the U.S. rose at the fastest pace in five months on energy and shelter prices, a sign inflation is getting closer to the Federal Reserve’s goal.
The consumer-price index increased 0.3 percent in September from the previous month, matching the median forecast of economists, after a 0.2 percent gain in August, a Labor Department report showed Tuesday. The year-on-year rise was 1.5 percent, the most since October 2014. Excluding volatile food and fuel costs, prices were up 0.1 percent.
Prices have shown a gradual pickup as housing costs continue to climb and the drop in energy prices abates. The data, along with a still-strong labor market, may keep policy makers on course for a quarter-point interest-rate increase in December after holding off on hikes so far this year.
