US inflation rose at a faster-than-expected pace in October, according to official figures.
Prices rose by 0.4% in the month, which was lower than the 0.6% increase in September.
However, analysts had expected prices to rise by 0.3%, and the higher-than-expected pace could add to arguments for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at its next meeting in December.
The new figures come a week after the midterm elections which were fought over cost-of-living pressures across the US.
Inflation is the rate at which the price of products or services increases over time.
For example, if a bottle of milk costs $1 but rises to $1.10 a year later, then annual inflation for bottled milk is 10%.
Officials from the Bureau of Labor Statistics measure inflation through the consumer price index (CPI).
It tracks the price changes of hundreds of day-to-day items including fresh food, gasoline and medical services to work out the overall level of inflation in the US economy.
The bureau updates this so-called basket of goods over time as peoples' spending and lifestyle habits change.
There are several factors that can cause inflation to rise.
If demand for a product outstrips its supply, that can lead to producers raising prices - the craze for Labubu dolls in recent years and the high resale prices are an…
