Labor Department cancels full October jobs report due to the federal shutdown

Core Viewpoint - The Labor Department will not release a full jobs report for October due to the 43-day federal government shutdown, which hindered the calculation of the unemployment rate and other key metrics [2][3]. Group 1: Jobs Data Release - The Labor Department will provide some October jobs data, specifically the number of jobs created, alongside the full November jobs report, which is now delayed to December 16 [3][5]. - The monthly jobs report typically includes a household survey for unemployment rates and an establishment survey for job creation and wages [4]. Group 2: Impact of Government Shutdown - The household survey for October could not be conducted due to the shutdown and cannot be done retroactively, while hiring numbers from employers will be included in the November report [5]. - The September jobs numbers will receive increased scrutiny as they are the last complete data set available before the Federal Reserve's meeting on December 9-10, where interest rate decisions will be made [6]. Group 3: Controversy and Clarifications - The jobs numbers have been contentious, particularly after a disappointing July report led to the firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner [8]. - The commissioner clarified that the announcement regarding the October report is not suspicious and is a direct result of the shutdown, emphasizing that payroll data can be collected retroactively, but the household survey cannot [9].