When Federal Reserve officials meet next week to discuss interest rates, they’ll be lacking some key economic data. Official employment data hasn’t been released since the federal government shutdown began on the first of October. It makes for a less-than-ideal situation for policymakers as they assess economic risks. Wall Street expects the central bank to […]
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Federal Reserve lacks jobs data ahead of policy meetings
When Federal Reserve officials meet next week to discuss interest rates, they’ll be lacking some key economic data. Official employment data hasn’t been released since the federal government shutdown began on the first of October. It makes for a less-than-ideal situation for policymakers as they assess economic risks. Wall Street expects the central bank to lower its benchmark interest rate next week, but economists point out that the labor market is a big question mark.The most recent information points to weak job growth.