WASHINGTON — Furloughing federal workers in last month's partial federal shutdown cost the government 6.6 million work days, according to a White House budget office report Thursday.

Taxpayers will cover the $2 billion cost of providing back pay to the 850,000 workers sent home during all or part of the 16-day shutdown. After Congress decided in the middle of the shutdown to pay Pentagon workers, 400,000 federal employees were kept off the job.

The Obama administration has said the shutdown and uncertainty over raising the government's borrowing cap will curb economic growth in this quarter and may have meant that 120,000 fewer private sector jobs were created in early October.

The budget office says closing national parks cost communities $500 million in lost spending by visitors, while the Internal Revenue Service delayed $4 billion in tax refunds and will have to put off next year's filing season by up to two weeks.

PARIS — France's principal credit rating was downgraded again today by Standard & Poor's, which said the country has limited ability to get its public finances in shape and make its economy more competitive.The agency lowered France's long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings one notch to AA from AA+. However, the outlook for the rating is “stable,” meaning no further changes are expected near term.Since taking office in 2012, President Francois Hollande has passed some economic reforms, such as making the labor market more flexible and changing the pension system, but many economists say the changes are too incremental to improve the situation.S&P said those reforms would likely be “insufficient to significantly unlock France's economic growth potential.” France recently saw a small rebound in growth after months of stagnation, but real sustained growth is expected to be slow in returning.And the ratings agency added that high unemployment — it is currently 11.1 percent — will make more reforms nearly impossible.

NEW YORK — Wendy’s third-quarter loss narrowed as more customers snapped up its new Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger and Pretzel Pub Chicken sandwiches, along with other menu items.Results beat expectations and the company raised its guidance Thursday.However, the company said it expects adjusted earnings, before taxes, interest, and other items, to fall 10 percent in the fourth quarter, as it invests in future growth initiatives.Shares fell 13 percent in morning trading, retreating from a five-year high on Wednesday.Fast-food companies have been facing tough competition from chains such as Chipotle, which have a more upscale image and the ability to charge higher prices for their food.