Consumers are muscling through higher prices, but for how long?

U.S. inflation pressures are intensifying as higher gas and oil prices spread into other parts of the economy, but consumers have kept spending for now. Data released Thursday showed inflation accelerated last month, with wholesale prices rising as expensive fuel lifted costs in shipping and warehousing before reaching most households. The producer price index jumped 6.3% in September from a year earlier and rose 1.3% from August; gasoline accounted for a 20% surge. Wholesale food prices increased 1.2%, the biggest monthly gain since February. Despite the cost burden, retail sales rose 0.8% in the month, led by a 6.4% jump at gas stations, alongside a 1.1% increase at restaurants and bars.