NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. consumer prices rose slightly less than expected in September, preserving market expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its policy meeting next week. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% last month after climbing 0.4% in August, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday. In the 12 months through September, the CPI increased 3.0% after advancing 2.9% in August. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the CPI increasing 0.4% and rising 3.1% year-on-year. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the CPI gained 0.2% after rising 0.3% in August. The so-called core CPI increased 3.0% year-on-year after rising 3.1% in August. The report was delayed due to the government shutdown but was eventually published in or

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