Annual inflation hit 3.7% in September, up from 3.4% in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gasoline prices jumped 9.1%, accounting for more than half the monthly increase.
The Consumer Price Index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.6% for the month, following a 0.4% increase in August. Overall energy prices climbed 5.2%, accelerating from August's 2.1% gain, and were 20.4% higher than a year earlier.
Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3% for a second consecutive month. Annual core inflation rose to 2.6% from 2.4% in August, indicating that the acceleration extended beyond energy.
Shelter costs increased 0.4%, following a 0.3% rise in August. Food prices were unchanged overall, with grocery prices down 0.1% and food away from home up 0.2%.