"BLS collects the prices of around 80,000 items over three 10-day periods each month; most are still gathered manually in person. The agency was able to release the September CPI report on Oct. 24, more than a week later than scheduled, after recalling staff to prepare it so that the Social Security Administration could tally its annual cost-of-living adjustment. Economists generally weren't concerned about the quality of the September inflation report because data collection was done before the government closed."
"But the fate of the October report, which normally would be released on Nov. 13, is up in the air. BLS hasn't been able to collect new price information since the shutdown began, and a White House-affiliated X account said on Oct. 24 that "there will likely NOT be an inflation release next month for the first time in history.""
The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects prices for about 80,000 items during three 10-day periods each month, mostly gathered manually. The agency released the September CPI report on Oct. 24, more than a week late, after recalling staff so the Social Security Administration could calculate its annual cost-of-living adjustment. Economists were not concerned about the September report’s quality because data collection occurred before the shutdown. The October report, normally due Nov. 13, is uncertain because BLS has not collected new price information since the shutdown began. A White House-affiliated X account said on Oct. 24 that "there will likely NOT be an inflation release next month for the first time in history." Cutting off the data supply during uncertain times seems unwise.
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