Headline: Shutdown Creates Lasting Gap in October Jobs Data, Leaving Fed With Less Visibility
The U.S. labor market picture will have a permanent blank spot after the recent government shutdown halted the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October employment release. With a key data point missing, traders and policymakers are recalibrating interest rate expectations ahead of a pivotal Federal Reserve meeting.
According to the BLS plan, the October nonfarm payrolls figure from the establishment survey will be folded into the November jobs report scheduled for December 16. However, the household survey for October could not be conducted, leaving an unfilled month in that series. The timing matters: the December 16 release comes after the December 10 FOMC meeting, meaning the Fed will not have official October or November employment data when it sets policy.
That absence of fresh labor market data is reinforcing a cautious stance at the Fed and reshaping market pricing. Traders now see roughly a 30% probability of a December rate cut, with odds moving lower on the news. Notably, markets are also pricing about a 22% chance that the Fed holds rates steady through both December and January—an outcome that had been seen as unlikely just weeks ago. In related releases, October JOLTS data is slated for December 9, offering at least one snapshot of labor demand before the meeting.
Key Points – BLS will not publish an October jobs report due to the shutdown. – October nonfarm payrolls will be included with the November data on December 16. – The October household survey was not conducted, leaving a gap in the series. – The December 16 jobs release falls after the December 10 FOMC meeting. – Markets now assign about a 30% chance of a December rate cut. – Pricing implies a 22% chance the Fed holds rates through both December and January.
