Inflation in the Netherlands rose to 3.7% in October from 3.4% in September, mainly because of higher energy and fuel prices, which analysts fear will go higher if the Middle East conflict escalates following the US midterm election results. Energy prices, including petrol and diesel, were 14.4% higher than a year earlier, according to the first estimate by national statistics office CBS. It is the highest rate since April 2025, when inflation stood at 4.1%.