Investors Turn To Strange Economic Signals During Government Shutdown - Forbes

Brandon Kochkodin explores 11 alternative economic indicators to track during the government shutdown when official data becomes unavailable.

With hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed and key economic reports delayed, investors and policymakers face a data blackout during a critical economic transition period. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has halted monthly jobs reports and delayed the Consumer Price Index, leaving markets without their usual compass points. Alternative indicators range from serious measures like ADP payroll data and satellite imagery tracking nighttime lights, to quirky gauges including hemline lengths, lipstick sales, and Alan Greenspan's favorite—men's underwear purchases.

• ADP payroll data and online job postings provide employment alternatives to official Bureau of Labor Statistics reports
• Blockchain-based inflation trackers and the Big Mac Index offer real-time price monitoring beyond Consumer Price Index data
• Satellite imagery analyzing nighttime lights and AI-powered economic pattern recognition deliver regional GDP insights
• Unconventional indicators like pawn shop activity, coffee shop traffic, and fashion trends reflect consumer confidence and spending patterns