Inflation stayed stubbornly high in September, keeping the squeeze on the buying power of household budgets.

The Consumer Price Index rose 3.0% over the year in September, up from a 2.9% annual increase in August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. That was the highest 12-month inflation rate since January. "Core" inflation, which excludes volatile prices for food and energy, also rose 3.0% over the year, slightly lower than in August.

The report highlighted the staying power of the inflation surge that started as the economy re-opened from pandemic shutdowns in 2021. Inflation peaked at 40-year highs in 2022 and began to recede after that, as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to discourage borrowing.

Inflation generally fell after that, and had nearly reached the Fed's goal of a 2% annual rate by early 2025. But the yearly inflation rate has risen every month since April, pushed up at least partly by President Donald Trump's import taxes, which merchants have largely passed along to consumers.

The CPI report was the only data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics during the ongoing government shutdown, which began Oct. 1 and has no end in sight. The BLS brought back staff to produce the CPI report because it is crucial for determining the annual cost of living adjustments to Social Security benefits.

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