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BLS Defends Inflation Data Amid October Rent Controversy

12/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) could not collect October rents because of the government shutdown and carried forward earlier figures.
This decision drew criticism in the November inflation report regarding how the BLS handled data gaps.
On Tuesday, the BLS defended its method, saying no better option existed for missing data.
The issue centers on data gaps and the use of prior figures in inflation measurement.

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Story summary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) could not collect October rents because of the government shutdown and carried forward earlier figures.
This decision drew criticism in the November inflation report regarding how the BLS handled data gaps.
On Tuesday, the BLS defended its method, saying no better option existed for missing data.
The issue centers on data gaps and the use of prior figures in inflation measurement.