Hiring Hits a Wall: Private Labor Data Flags Economic Softness

October 13, 2025 — In a world that clings to every labor data release for clues about potential shifts in monetary policy, the absence of official data adds a fresh layer of uncertainty for market participants. Since the government shutdown began on October 1st, only a handful of reports from private and non-governmental sources have offered glimpses into labor market conditions — and they continue to point toward a gradual deceleration.