["Fed's Mouthpiece": Inflation Higher Than Expected, Further Supporting Another Rate Hike This Year] Jin10 Data, October 14 – Nick Timiraos, known as the "Fed's Mouthpiece," stated that core inflation in September exceeded expectations for the second consecutive month, further strengthening the case for another Federal Reserve rate hike this year. Last month, Fed officials unanimously voted to raise interest rates, with nearly all of them anticipating one more rate hike before the end of the year. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 0.33% month-on-month in September, surpassing nearly all forecasts by Wall Street economists. In August, core CPI increased by 0.29% month-on-month. This report presents two key questions for Fed officials. The more immediate question is whether they can wait until December for another rate hike, given their recent indications that they do not expect to adjust rates at the meeting two weeks from now. Some analysts believe that if officials ultimately expect to raise rates, there is little reason to delay, even though Fed officials have not shown signs of reconsidering their policy stance based on a single report. The more significant question is how high rates ultimately need to go. This depends on whether pressures from rising energy prices and the artificial intelligence investment boom will further spill over into the broader economy.