US economic outlook obscured by shutdown-triggered data gap
The statistical blind spot could affect everything from interest rate cuts to investment decisions
The statistical blind spot could affect everything from interest rate cuts to investment decisions

Economists warn hit to government spending risks doing lasting damage to GDP

Official figures delayed by government shutdown will provide little clarity on the outlook for interest rates

History suggests the political approach ends in unsustainable debt and lower GDP

The problem is solvable, but not by scapegoating

Concerns that November figures showing fall to 2.7% distorted by missing data after shutdown

Given all this fragility, recessionary or inflationary shocks — or even both together — are conceivable