Consumer prices rose 0.4% in September, more than expected

Prices that consumers pay for a wide variety of goods and services increased at a slightly faster-than-expected pace in September, keeping inflation in the spotlight for policymakers.

The consumer price index, a closely followed inflation gauge, increased 0.4% on the month and 3.7% from a year ago, according to

Thursday. That compared with respective Dow Jones estimates of 0.3% and 3.6%. Headline inflation increased…