The cost of living in the U.S. was probably little changed in October, restrained by falling energy prices, economists said before a report today.
The consumer-price index didn’t increase for the first time in four months after advancing 0.3 percent in September, according to the median forecast of 86 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Other figures may show manufacturing picked up last month.
Cheaper raw-material costs compared with earlier this year may make it easier for some retailers to hold the line on prices during the holiday shopping season as they compete for consumers coping with stagnating incomes. Less inflation also gives Federal Reserve officials more leeway to take additional measures should the economy falter.
