BLS Confirms October CPI Cancellation Amid Data Collection Lapse; Key Economic Releases Rescheduled

By / / Breaking News

Key Takeaways

  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has confirmed the cancellation of the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) report due to an inability to collect survey data following a lapse in appropriations.
  • The November CPI report is now scheduled for release on December 18, 2025, but will not include one-month percent changes where October data is missing.
  • The Q3 Employment Cost Index (ECI) will be released on December 10, 2025, providing some clarity on labor costs.
  • Other significant reports, including the October Employment Situation and October Real Earnings, have also been canceled or impacted by the data collection lapse, creating a gap in key economic indicators.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has announced significant disruptions to its economic data release schedule, most notably the cancellation of the October 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. This decision stems from the agency's inability to collect essential survey data for the October reference period due to a recent lapse in appropriations, with the BLS stating these data cannot be retroactively collected.

This gap in inflation data comes at a critical time for financial markets and policymakers, who rely on the CPI to gauge inflationary pressures and inform monetary policy decisions. The absence of the October report means analysts will have to wait longer for a comprehensive view of consumer price trends.

Looking ahead, the November CPI report is slated for release on December 18, 2025. However, the BLS has cautioned that this report will not include one-month percent changes for November where the corresponding October 2025 data are missing, which could complicate month-over-month comparisons and analysis.

In other economic data news, the Q3 Employment Cost Index (ECI), a key measure of labor cost trends, is scheduled to be released on December 10, 2025. This report will offer crucial insights into wage and benefit growth, providing an important piece of the labor market puzzle despite the broader data collection issues.

The impact of the appropriations lapse extends beyond CPI, with the BLS also confirming the cancellation of the October Real Earnings report and the October Employment Situation news release. While the BLS noted it could retroactively acquire most nonsurvey data for October, and will publish these where possible with November releases, the core survey-based reports remain affected. This widespread disruption underscores the challenges in economic data collection during government funding impasses, leaving economists and investors with an incomplete picture of the U.S. economy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We are not financial professionals. The authors and/or site operators may hold positions in the companies or assets mentioned. Always do your own research before making financial decisions.
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