WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation slowed a bit in September, which could lead to an interest rate cut by the central bank at its meeting this week.

Prices rose 0.3 percent in September from August, according to a new report from the Commerce Department, the same rate as the previous month.

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.2 percent in September from August, the same as the previous month and a pace that if it continued for a year would bring inflation closer to the Fed’s 2 percent target.

Compared with a year ago, overall prices rose 2.8 percent, up slightly from 2.7 percent in August.

Core prices also rose 2.8 percent from a year earlier, a small decline from the previous month’s figure of 2.9 percent.

The data, which was delayed for five weeks by the federal government shutdown, show that inflation was muted in September and will bolster the case for a cut to the Fed’s key interest rate at its next meeting this week.

Inflation remains above the central bank’s 2 percent target, but many Fed officials argue that weak hiring, modest economic growth and slowing wage gains will steadily reduce price gains in the coming months.

The Fed is facing a tricky decision this week: It would typically keep rates high to fight inflation. At the same time, it is worried about weak hiring and a slowly rising unemployment rate.

Fed officials hope that reducing rates will spur more borrowing and boost the economy.