*Data came in lower than expected, making it more likely that the US Fed will make smaller interest rate hikes.*The figures came in lower than economists expected and make it more likely that the US Federal Reserve will increase its benchmark interest rate in smaller increments. It has hiked its short-term rate by three-quarters of a point for four meetings in a row, but economists now increasingly foresee an increase of a half point at its December meeting. “The improvement in the October in...