US inflation rises more than expected ahead of midterm elections

Inflation has risen to 3.7% in the year to September, which is a higher-than-expected increase fuelled by gasoline prices.

Car fuel prices jumped by 34.2% over 12 months.

In September alone, they jumped by 9.1%, accounting for more than half of the increase in inflation, according to the Bureau or Labor Statistics.

Overall, energy inflation was up by 20.4% over the year as prices for fuel oil, energy services and electricity climbed. Fuel oil, used in home heating, was up…