Government Shutdown Expected to Halt October US Inflation Report First Time in 70 Years

The ongoing government shutdown threatens to halt the release of the October inflation report, marking a historic first absence of this critical economic data in over seventy years. The shutdown has paralyzed the Bureau of Labor Statistics, preventing in-person data collection by surveyors who gather price information from stores nationwide, which is essential since much inflation data cannot be collected electronically. September's inflation data, released late due to the shutdown, showed a 3% annual increase, higher than expected but still below some forecasts, and was based on data gathered before the shutdown began. The absence of October's inflation report complicates decision-making for the Federal Reserve, which relies on this data to guide interest rate policies amid economic uncertainty. White House officials warned that missing this report could disrupt markets, businesses, families, and policymakers, leaving them without vital information during a pivotal time. The situation also impacts the forthcoming jobs report, as data collection for payroll and employment figures has been similarly affected.