BLS Reschedules January 2026 Jobs and CPI Reports Amid Partial Government Shutdown

The partial federal government shutdown that commenced on Sunday, February 1, 2026, has compelled the Bureau of Labor Statistics to pause data collection and release activities, resulting in the rescheduling of two cornerstone economic reports that financial markets, policymakers, and businesses rely upon for decision-making [1][2]. The BLS officially announced these changes through its revised release dates page, confirming that the January Employment Situation and Consumer Price Index reports would be postponed until government funding resumes [5].

The Employment Situation Report, commonly known as the Jobs Report, was originally scheduled for release on Friday, February 6, 2026, but will now be published on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Similarly, the CPI inflation report has been rescheduled from Wednesday, February 11 to Friday, February 13, 2026 [1]. Additional reports affected by the shutdown include the JOLTS (Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey) report, originally scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and the Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment report, which was set for Wednesday, February 4, 2026 [5].

The immediate cause of these rescheduling actions stems from the lapse in federal appropriations that occurred on February 1, 2026, which affected the operational capacity of the BLS and the Census Bureau, the latter of which provides critical support for household survey data collection [2][4]. Without appropriated funding, non-essential statistical activities must be suspended, including the data collection, processing, and verification processes necessary to produce accurate and comprehensive economic reports.

This situation represents the second significant disruption to federal economic reporting in recent months. The October-November 2025 funding gap lasting 43 days already strained BLS operations and raised concerns about data quality and continuity [2]. That previous shutdown was particularly notable because it resulted in the first-ever missing unemployment rate in the 77-year history of the statistic, creating an unprecedented gap in a key economic indicator that market participants, policymakers, and historians rely upon for trend analysis and forecasting [3].

The rescheduling of these reports creates a compressed timeline for Federal Reserve officials who typically review employment and inflation data ahead of monetary policy decisions. The shift of the Jobs Report from early February to February 11, and the CPI to February 13, means that the Federal Reserve’s decision-making window for its next policy meeting may be affected if officials prefer to have complete data sets before finalizing their assessments [1][2]. Market participants will need to recalibrate their expectations for Fed communications and adjust trading strategies accordingly.

The absence of key economic indicators at the beginning of February introduces heightened uncertainty into financial markets that typically experience elevated volatility around major data releases [1]. Traders and investors who had positioned themselves based on anticipated January data findings must now wait an additional week for critical labor market and inflation information. This uncertainty could manifest in increased bond yield volatility, currency fluctuations, and equity market oscillations as market participants digest the implications of the delayed data.

Beyond financial markets, businesses and households that rely on timely economic data for planning and forecasting purposes face disruption to their decision-making cycles [2]. Companies considering hiring decisions, investment allocations, or pricing strategies often incorporate the latest employment and inflation trends into their planning models. The delayed release of January data means these stakeholders will be operating with potentially stale information for a longer-than-expected period.

The October-November 2025 shutdown provides important context for understanding the current situation. During that 43-day funding gap, the BLS was unable to produce several key economic reports, most notably the unemployment rate for October 2025, which marked the first time in the statistical series’ history that this figure was not published [3]. The unprecedented nature of that omission underscored the critical importance of continuous federal funding for maintaining the integrity and timeliness of the U.S. economic statistical infrastructure.

The current partial shutdown raises questions about potential data quality issues that may emerge once the January reports are finally published. The reference periods for both the Employment Situation and CPI surveys occurred during a time when federal statistical operations were partially disrupted, which could affect response rates, data collection completeness, and subsequent revisions [2]. Analysts and policymakers should exercise appropriate caution when interpreting the January figures and remain attentive to potential benchmark revisions.

The rescheduling of January 2026 economic data reveals several important systemic considerations that extend beyond the immediate event.

First, the U.S. economic statistical infrastructure demonstrates continued vulnerability to appropriations disruptions. Despite the relatively short duration of the current funding gap compared to the October-November 2025 episode, the immediate impact on BLS operations highlights the agency’s dependence on continuous federal funding to maintain its regular publication schedule [5]. This vulnerability has implications for the reliability and timeliness of economic data that policymakers, markets, and businesses depend upon.

Second, the cumulative effect of consecutive funding disruptions on federal statistical agencies warrants attention. The BLS and Census Bureau are still recovering from the effects of the 43-day shutdown that concluded in late November 2025 [2]. Disruptions to survey operations, data processing systems, and staffing continuity may compound to affect data quality in ways that are not immediately apparent but could manifest in revised figures or unusual month-over-month variations.

Third, the shift in release dates creates a concentration of major economic announcements in a compressed timeframe. With both the Jobs Report and CPI now scheduled for the same week—February 11 and 13, respectively—market participants may experience amplified volatility as multiple significant indicators are released in closer proximity than usual [1]. This concentration could affect how markets digest and react to the information, potentially leading to more pronounced short-term price movements.

The analysis identifies several risk factors that warrant attention from market participants and economic observers.

: The rescheduled release dates alter the timeline for when critical economic information becomes available, potentially affecting the Federal Reserve’s decision-making process and creating uncertainty about the coordination of monetary policy communications with data releases [1][2]. Market participants should monitor Fed communications for any adjustments to their planned announcement schedules.

: January economic data collected during a period of federal funding uncertainty may exhibit distortions or anomalies that could affect interpretation [2]. Lower response rates, incomplete data collection, or processing interruptions could result in figures that require careful analysis and may be subject to unusual revisions.

: The absence of key economic indicators at the start of February creates an information gap that could contribute to increased market volatility [1]. Without the Jobs Report and CPI to anchor expectations, asset prices may experience greater fluctuations as market participants adjust to evolving circumstances.

: The unprecedented omission of the October 2025 unemployment rate establishes a new precedent for the fragility of U.S. economic statistical infrastructure [3]. Market participants should be aware that future funding disruptions could produce similar gaps, affecting long-term data series and historical comparisons.

While the immediate effect of the rescheduled reports is characterized by uncertainty, several opportunity windows emerge from the current situation.

Market participants who closely monitor the BLS website and government funding legislation progress may gain informational advantages by anticipating potential further adjustments or identifying early signals about data quality concerns [5]. The period between now and the new release dates (February 11-13) provides time to refine analytical models and prepare for potential market reactions.

The historical context from the October-November 2025 shutdown provides a reference framework for understanding potential data patterns and market reactions [2][3]. Analysts who study previous shutdown effects may be better positioned to interpret the January figures and anticipate how markets might respond to specific data outcomes.

Furthermore, the current situation highlights the importance of alternative data sources and leading indicators that can provide partial insights into labor market and inflation trends while awaiting official BLS releases. Market participants who have developed robust alternative data frameworks may find increased value in those capabilities during the data delay period.

The January 2026 Employment Situation Report and CPI inflation report have been rescheduled due to a partial federal government shutdown that began on February 1, 2026. The Employment Situation will now be released on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (originally February 6), while the CPI will be published on Friday, February 13, 2026 (originally February 11) [1][5]. Additional affected reports include the JOLTS report and Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment data [5].

The shutdown follows a historic 43-day funding gap in October-November 2025 that resulted in the first-ever missing unemployment rate in the 77-year history of the statistic [3]. BLS operations remain dependent on continuous federal appropriations to maintain regular data collection and publication schedules [2].

Financial markets, the Federal Reserve, businesses, and households should adjust their timelines and expectations accordingly while monitoring for any further schedule changes or developments regarding government funding legislation [1][2]. The compressed release schedule for February 11-13 may contribute to heightened market volatility as multiple significant economic indicators are published in closer proximity than usual.