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Inflation , earnings reports and the mood of consumers and the Federal Reserve fill out a busy week

This week brings a busy slate of data on inflation, corporate earnings, consumer confidence and the Federal Reserve, just weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Consumer confidence fell in September to its lowest level in more than a decade and is expected to keep weakening in October as higher gas and grocery prices squeeze budgets. The Fed is expected to hold its benchmark rate steady after a hike in September, though it remains worried about inflation, and Wall Street still expects one more hike in December. Third-quarter GDP is forecast to rise 1.7%, slower than 2.2% in the second quarter. The PCE inflation gauge, the Fed's preferred measure, is expected to jump to 3.7% from 3.4% in August, as the U.S. war with Iran squeezes global oil supplies.

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