U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases Latest Key Indicators: September CPI +0.6%, Unemployment Rate 4.2%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published a page summarizing the latest values of its key economic indicators on October 20 (U.S. Eastern Time). It lists price and employment figures that tend to draw attention in the foreign exchange market, and the main points are summarized below.

September Price and Employment Figures

For September 2026, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was +0.6%. On the employment side, the unemployment rate was 4.2%, nonfarm payrolls were +29,000, and average hourly earnings were +$0.05. Of these, payrolls and average hourly earnings are preliminary figures and may be revised in the future.

The Producer Price Index (PPI, final demand) was +1.3% (preliminary). The import price index was +1.1%, and the export price index was +2.2%.

April–June Quarter Indicators

For the second quarter of 2026, the Employment Cost Index (ECI) was reported at +0.9% and productivity at +1.4%. Note that the source information this time does not include the comparison period for each indicator (such as month-over-month or year-over-year) or market forecasts, so the individual release materials need to be checked to evaluate these figures.

Points to Note When Running EAs

U.S. price and employment indicators can bring volatile price movements and wider spreads around the time of release. If you run an EA, consider measures such as stopping it only around indicator releases, or reviewing lot sizes and trading conditions. It is advisable to check the release schedule in advance and to be prepared for execution slippage and sudden price movements.