Shutdown Data Gaps Render Latest Economic Reports Unreliable

Washington D.C., Friday, 26 December 2025.
While recent federal reports suggest a booming economy with 4.3% Q3 GDP growth and falling inflation, the late 2025 government shutdown has rendered these figures dangerously misleading. Critical data collection gaps—specifically the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inability to track October rental costs, resulting in an artificial 0% entry—have skewed inflation metrics significantly lower than reality. This statistical blindness missed seasonal price spikes like Thanksgiving airfares and contradicts the cooling labor market, creating a treacherous landscape for investors relying on distorted baselines for 2026 strategy.