‘This is a wacky number’: economists cry foul as new government data assumes zero housing inflation in surprising November drop

Apparently they smooth the data over 6 months for some parts of housing. So with the missing month they filled in zero inflation in housing. That zero will remain for 6 months as 1/6th of the total calculation. I personally do not see it as a big deal. .1 or .2 on the annual inflation rate at best that will be recaptured later. I will effect 2025 COLA's I think by a few dollars for a social security recipient. It will show up later though, no matter what. So at best it is a postponement.
Given the way the data is handled, with numbers for 4 regions, and metro areas it seems unlikely that anyone can fudge numbers. I do think they understate inflation a little, through how their methodology works and what they weight each category of inflation. Fortunately there are controls in place so that politicians can't see the data ahead of time. Otherwise, many would use that to further enhance their stock and bond trading opportunities.

MarcusGregor said:

'We might need more than a few grains of salt': Top economists pan inflation report that effectively assumed housing inflation was zero | Fortune

The culprit, several economists say, is the extended government shutdown.

fortune.com

A side effect of the DOGE downsizing and getting rid of career government employees who were experts in their field that would have known how to more accurately deal with the missing data. Coupled with the withholding of other economic reports like the jobs report, this administration is actively cooking the books and trying to paint a picture of the "Trump Economy" that just isn't true.

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