[Analysis: September Core PCE Below Expectations Signals Green Light for Further Fed Rate Cuts] BlockBeats News, December 5 – A key inflation indicator released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Friday showed that September's inflation rate was lower than expected. This report, delayed due to the government shutdown, signals a green light for further rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The core PCE price index, which excludes the more volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.2% month-over-month and 2.8% year-over-year. While the monthly rate met general expectations, the annual rate was 0.1 percentage points lower than anticipated. Additionally, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall personal consumption expenditures rose 0.3% month-over-month, with an annual inflation rate also at 2.8%. Both figures were in line with expectations. Federal Reserve officials use the PCE price index as a primary policy tool to measure inflation. While they consider both overall and core data, they generally regard core data as a better indicator of long-term inflation trends. This report was delayed by several weeks due to the government shutdown, during which all data collection and economic reporting were suspended. (Jin10)