General inflation in the US appears to have slowed in October. However, the US statistical agency was unable to publish an annual inflation rate on Tuesday because data was not collected a year ago, due to a “government shutdown.” Compared to the previous month, prices rose by 0.4 percent, down from 0.6 percent in September. Quoted figures indicated that housing costs alone increased by 0.3 percent in October, accounting for over thirty percent of the monthly increase in the overall index. The food index rose by 0.5 percent in October, while energy prices increased by 0.7 percent month-over-month, following a steep rise of 5.2 percent in September. Investors typically watch US inflation carefully, as the rate serves as a crucial indicator for the Fed’s interest rate policy. High interest rates are generally considered detrimental to both the stock market and the real estate sector, among other factors, because bank accounts remain an attractive investment alternative.
Economy / Finance
