The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September will be released on a Friday for the first time since 2018, due to a government shutdown that has delayed other economic reports. This CPI release, scheduled for this Friday, will be the sole major economic indicator available to the Federal Reserve before its policy meeting on October 29. Analysts indicate that a lower-than-expected inflation figure could increase the chances of a 0.5% rate cut, while a higher reading might complicate the Fed's decision-making process.