Inflation Accelerated Last Month

WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge closely monitored by the Federal Reserve accelerated last month, a sign prices remain elevated less than a week from midterm elections that have focused on affordability concerns. Consumer prices rose 3.6% in September compared with a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Thursday, up from 3.4% in August. On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.5%, up from 0.3% in August and the highest figure since May. Annual inflation has worsened since the Iran war caused spikes in oil and gas prices. U.S. oil prices still top $100 a barrel, up from less than $70 before the war.