The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all items excluding food and energy, the so-called core CPI, increased by 6.6 percent in the 12 months through September, the highest level in 40 years, according to data released by the Labor Department.

The CPI rose 0.4 percent last month after gaining 0.1 percent in August. The index increased 8.2 percent after rising 8.3 percent in August over the last year. The annual CPI peaked at 9.1 percent in June, which was the biggest advance since November 1981.

(Cover: A person at a home improvement store in Miami, Florida on July 13, 2022. /CFP)

(With input from Reuters)