Bureau of Labor Statistics recalls workers to get September inflation data ready — report

[US Department of Labor]

Investors might get the September retail inflation numbers despite the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reportedly recalled some workers to get the report out.

The consumer price index was originally slated for next week on October 15; however, the government shutdown has put doubts about the timing of its release. The report might now be released in time for the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting on October 28-29, according to the New York Times.

The BLS has been asked by the White House Office of Management and Budget to get back employees in order to get the CPI data ready by the end of the month, a Bloomberg article said.

"So if it (the CPI data) were released, that would mean it could be used for the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for recipients of Social Security, which takes the Q3 CPI numbers," Deutsche Bank's Henry Allen said.

"The U.S. government has announced that, regardless of the government shutdown, the September consumer price inflation data will be coming out (probably late). This is legally required to enable the cost of living calculation that raises social security payments—huge swathes of U.S. government spending are tied to inflation measures. The Federal Reserve should have this data when it meets," UBS' Paul Donovan said.

In September, the Department of Labor had said that the Bureau of Labor Statistics will completely [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4499923-bureau-of-labor-statistics-to-shut-down-during-government-shutdown] "cease operations" and suspend data collection in the event of a U.S. federal government shutdown.

September's nonfarm payroll and unemployment report, which was slated to be released on Oct. 3, has also been delayed due to the shutdown.

The shutdown is now entering its 10th day on Friday.

In August, the consumer price inflation [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4494059-consumer-inflation-speeds-up-mm-in-august-core-cpi-holds-steady] rose 0.4% M/M in August, topping the +0.3% consensus.

The core measure, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, stalled from a month earlier at +0.3%, meeting expectations. Likewise, core CPI climbed 3.1% Y/Y in August, vs. +3.1% expected and +3.1% prior.

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