The cost of living in the U.S. rose as projected in September as fuel charges climbed, capping the smallest year-to-year gain in five months. The consumer price index increased 0.2 percent, matching the median forecast of 86 economists surveyed by Bloomberg, after rising 0.1 percent the prior month, Labor Department data showed today in Washington. Stripping out volatile food and fuel, the so-called core measure climbed 0.1 percent for a second month, less than projected. With inflation running below the Federal Reserve’s goal, the central bank has more flexibility to maintain its $85 billion-a-month bond buying ... (full story)