Citigroup: October CPI data may be "less accurate than usual"

Citibank economists pointed out in a recent article that despite warnings from the White House, the CPI and employment data for October may still be released in the next few days. The government shutdown has disrupted data collection, but Citibank suggests that statistical agencies can ask retrospective questions in household employment surveys and use more estimation methods in inflation indicators. However, the October CPI data may be "less accurate than usual." Citibank economists expect labor market data to continue to be weak, which will prompt the Fed to cut interest rates in December, January, and March.