White House: October non-farm and inflation data may never be released

White House press secretary Levitt said the key economic report for October may not be released at all because of the government shutdown. "Democrats may have permanently damaged the federal statistical system, and the CPI and (non-farm) payrolls reports for October will most likely never be released," Levitt said. "The release of all of this economic data will be permanently damaged, leaving Fed policymakers'flying blind 'during a critical period." With the government shutdown lasting more than six weeks, the longest on record, Wall Street has been watching the release of important economic data. Other data affected include retail sales, import and export data, and consumer spending and income. Most economists had expected all data to be released eventually, albeit with some delay. However, that expectation was overshadowed by comments from Levitt, who added that the shutdown could reduce fourth-quarter economic growth by as much as 2 percentage points. (CNBC)