The monthly jobs report, typically released on the first Friday of the month, was delayed due to the government shutdown. Economists and policymakers are eager for more data on the state of the economy, as hiring has slowed significantly. Alternative measures show minimal hiring and stable job security for those employed.

ADP reported a surprising loss of 32,000 private-sector jobs in September, with decreases in industries like construction, manufacturing, and financial services. Health care, private education, and information technology were the only sectors to add workers. The decline in hiring momentum throughout the year reflects a stagnant job market.

Goldman Sachs estimated that weekly unemployment claims ticked up to 224,000, a slight increase from the previous week. These historically low figures indicate that most companies are maintaining their workforce. The lack of government data due to the shutdown has economists and investors relying on alternative sources for insights into the job market.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Lack of jobs data due to government shutdown muddies the outlook for hiring and the economy