Inflation in the United States ticked up in October, driven by costlier rents, used cars and air fares, a sign that price increases might be leveling off after having slowed in September to their lowest pace since 2021.

Higher prices on rent, used cars and air fares contributed to a statistical bump in the Labor Department's measures of inflation, which most affect consumers.

U.S. inflation rose 2.6% on an annual basis last month, representing an uptick from September when the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates amid signs of cooling prices and a weaker labor market.

The Labor Department reportedt hat jobless claim applications fell by 4,000 to 217,000 for the week of Nov. 9 — less than the 225,000 analysts forecast.

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, suggesting the labor market continued to chug along.