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Weekly Commentary

Economic Commentary – October 6, 2025

Jeanette Garretty

The US Government Shutdown continues, swamping most of the other economic storylines. However, the ADP employment report from last week, showing 32,000 jobs lost in September (excluding any federal employment job losses, which are not counted by ADP), continues to reverberate. Whether a result of undeniable negative signals coming from job markets or of elected officials canvassing their districts about growing worries about health care premiums (September-October being open-enrollment season for many people), the economic threats aimed at squeezing various projects, and jobs in retaliation for the shutdown have largely been set aside — for now.  It also seems possible that Washington DC policy makers and US financial markets may be consigning the fourth quarter to the economic dustbin, given the increasing likelihood that the shutdown lasts another week or two, taking as much as a half-point off GDP; choosing to focus on a more optimistic vision for the first quarter of 2026 is an understandable emotion. The one problem with this approach is that households and small and medium-sized businesses may not find it so easy to ignore fourth quarter negatives, taking actions that carry economic consequences well into the next year.  

Data to Watch

  1. US Balance of Trade, Exports and Imports for August, released Tuesday, October 7
  2. Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee Meeting  on September 17, released Wednesday, October 8
  3. European Central Bank (ECB) Policy Meeting, Thursday, October 9

Suggested Reading

  1. OPEC+ opts for modest oil output hike as supply glut fears mount
  2. How Much Smaller Is the Federal Work Force? Shutdown Plans Offer a Clue.
  3. Trump’s Team Hones Message on Economy: Just Wait Until 2026

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