A closely watched report released by the Labor Department on Friday showed consumer prices in the U.S. increased by slightly less than expected in the month of September.

The Labor Department said its consumer price index rose by 0.3 percent in September after climbing by 0.4 percent in August.

The report also said the annual rate of growth by consumer prices ticked up to 3.0 percent in September from 2.9 percent in August, although that was slower than the 3.1 percent jump expected by economists.

The monthly increase by consumer prices partly reflected a 1.5 percent jump by energy prices, which came as gasoline prices spiked by 4.1 percent.

Excluding food and energy prices, the core consumer price index crept up by 0.2 percent in September after rising by 0.3 percent in August.

The Labor Department also said the annual rate of growth by core consumer prices slowed to 3.0 percent in September from 3.1 percent August.

The monthly uptick by core consumer prices reflected higher prices for shelter, airline fares, recreation, household furnishings and operations and apparel.

Meanwhile, prices for motor vehicle insurance, used cars and trucks and communication were among the few that decreased in September, the Labor Department said.

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