Following the release of the latest economic data, financial analysts discussed the market’s initial decline and subsequent rebound on ‘Kudlow,’ highlighting the volatile investor response to the midterm elections and inflation figures.
This is a developing story regarding the October consumer price index data. Please check back for continuous updates.
Inflation accelerated in October, showing a faster pace of consumer price growth than economists had anticipated.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Wednesday that the consumer price index (CPI)—a key gauge of the cost of everyday items such as gasoline, groceries, and rent—rose by 0.4% on a monthly basis. The annual figure was withheld due to last year’s government shutdown, which disrupted the collection of October 2025 baseline data.
People shop for groceries at a store in Arlington, Virginia, on June 10, 2026. (Li Rui/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Expectations vs. reality
The monthly figure of 0.4% came in slightly higher than the consensus estimates of economists polled by LSEG, indicating that price pressures remain resilient.
The cost of living breakdown
Continued inflation places a heavy financial burden on American households, forcing families to pay more for basic necessities such as food and housing. These escalating costs are particularly challenging for lower-income consumers, who must dedicate a larger share of their already strained budgets to essential goods and have fewer opportunities to save.
