Montenegro and US face rising inflation and fuel costs

Montenegro is facing rising economic pressures as annual inflation reached 5.2 percent in September, driven largely by increases in clothing, food, and fuel prices. Political figures have called for government intervention, including limiting the prices of essential goods and reducing VAT on food and medicine to mitigate the impact on citizens.

To bolster energy security, the Montenegrin Ministry of Energy and Mining announced the formation of mandatory oil derivative reserves equivalent to 90 days of net imports. Despite global market volatility, officials stated that the domestic fuel supply remains stable and uninterrupted.

In the United States, inflation also exceeded expectations in September, rising to an annual rate of 3.7 percent. This increase was primarily fueled by a significant rise in gasoline prices, which jumped 9.1 percent compared to August. The data has heightened market concerns regarding potential interest rate adjustments by the Federal Reserve.