Inflation jumped in September as gas and diesel prices squeezed consumers ahead of the midterms

BREAKING: Inflation jumped in September as gas and diesel prices squeezed consumers ahead of the midterms

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.Skip to ContentThe Robert Nickelsberg / GettyShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Steve KopackInflation in September picked back up again after three months of largely stagnating. Overall, prices rose 3.7% from a year ago, and up 0.6% from August.

“The index for gasoline rose 9.1 percent in September, accounting for over half of the monthly all items increase,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics said.

Friday’s number is the final inflation report before November’s pivotal midterm elections, where business owners and consumers have said they will be voting with their bottom line in mind.

Meanwhile, wage growth has been stagnant for workers. As of September, the growth in wages was pacing at 3% on an annual basis. Paychecks have not grown faster than inflation since March.

ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleSteve KopackSteve Kopack is a senior reporter at NBC News covering business and the economy.