Consumer prices rose 2.6% from a year earlier, up from 2.4% in September
Rate cut follows larger half-point reduction in September
Prices rose just 2.1% in September from a year earlier, down from a 2.3% rise in August
Job growth was held down in October by hurricanes and worker strikes
Federal Reserve research suggests consumer spending is the primary driver of the U.S. economy
A big reason the Fed is reducing rates is because hiring has slowed, unemployment has picked up
Inflation in August was barely above the Fed's 2% inflation target
Polled Americans continue to cite inflation as a leading concern
Move reflects new focus on bolstering the job market
Online retailers, sporting goods stores, and home and garden stores all reported higher sales