October's CPI report comes out today. Here's what to expect and why it will look different.
NEWS | 10 November 2026
Today's consumer price index report will be unusual. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will still publish October data at 8:30 a.m. ET., but inflation observers who are looking to see how prices have changed over the year will be out of luck. CPI data collection was suspended during the 2025 federal government shutdown, so no October 2025 release was published. That means a 12-month percent change won't be possible. There will still be month-over-month changes to gauge how the economy is faring. Economists expect prices to increase 0.3% over the month, down from the 0.6% rise in September, and a 0.2% core rate, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, down from the 0.3% increase in September. We will still be able to understand how gas prices have been changing. In the November 2025 report, BLS published gas and vehicle estimates for October based on non-survey data sources. Energy remains a hot topic as the war in Iran continues, and drivers are paying more at the pump than they did a year ago, on average. Energy prices have been rising quickly, at 20.4% year over year in September. Gas prices rose 34.2%, the largest since May. The next CPI report will be published December 10, just after the Federal Open Market Committee meets for a final time this year. The Fed can use the most recent CPI data or other inflation estimates to make its interest rate decision, including the personal consumption expenditures price index, which is its preferred inflation measure. The Fed held interest rates steady at its October meeting, the second-to-last of the year, and traders expect a hike at the coming meeting. "The Committee believes that the accumulation of more information will help it determine the policy stance appropriate to ensure a timely return of inflation to the 2% goal," said Fed chair Kevin Warsh said at the press conference following the October meeting. Amid elevated inflation, consumers are adjusting how they shop. "Apparel is among the categories where consumers have the greatest flexibility to respond to inflation," a Bank of America Institute report said. "They can switch brands, retailers, or delay purchases altogether. As a result, apparel shows some of the clearest evidence of trading down in our data." Business Insider has Games! Want more Business Insider in your news feed? Add BI in Google so our reporting is easier to find when you’re searching for what matters. Add to Preferred Sources Check back here at 8:30 to read about what the new release showed.
Author: Madison Hoff.
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