A 43-day U.S. government shutdown has disrupted labor and inflation reports, leaving Fed policymakers navigating uncertainty ahead of the December rate decision.
The U.S. Federal Reserve lowered interest rates to a 3.75%-4% range in October, but Chair Jerome Powell dismissed the idea of assuming another cut in December. A prolonged 43-day government shutdown has halted the release of key labor and inflation statistics, creating gaps in economic data essential for policymaking. Analysts caution that the Fed will face challenges making its December decision without a complete picture of the economy.