The shutdown might be nearing an end

Consumer confidence falls.

You CAN guess the Louvre’s security password.

*Source: CoinGecko.com As of 6:07 PM November 9, 2025

1) Shutdown showdown: The U.S. government shutdown, now stretching into its 40th day and marking the longest in history, has brought federal operations to a near standstill. Senate met for a rare Sunday session to hash out a potential reopening deal. Lawmakers from both parties signalled cautious optimism that progress was being made, but key sticking points (healthcare subsidies) continue to stall an agreement.

2) Confidence crashed: U.S. consumer sentiment sank, as Americans grew increasingly anxious about the prolonged government shutdown, stubborn inflation, and signs of a weakening job market. Many households are bracing for slower income growth and higher prices ahead - a troubling sign for holiday spending and the broader economy. Great!

3) The Big Short 2: If you’ve seen The Big Short, then you’ll probably remember Dr. Michael Burry, played by Christian Bale. He was the famous investor who called the collapse of the U.S. housing market before almost anyone else, making himself and his investors hundreds of millions of dollars. Now, Burry is going against the boom in A.I., placing a billion-dollar bet that Nvidia and Palantir will fall. Dramaaaaaa.

1) The city of Paris has launched a lottery giving residents the chance to win burial plots beside legendary figures like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Édith Piaf. Wow! Not weird at all!

2) The security system at the Louvre Museum reportedly used the password - wait for it - “Louvre”. A glaringly obvious choice that exposed major vulnerabilities ahead of a recent high-profile jewel heist. I guess ‘password123’ was already taken.

3) Kim Kardashian admits she used ChatGPT to study for her law exams, and hilariously blames it for leading her astray with the excuse: “They’re always wrong.” “It seems like nobody wants to work these days!” - also Kim Kardashian

What happens when the government shutdown ends? The floodgates open.

Since October 1st, the U.S. government has been continuing to collect taxes (of course), but their expenses have dropped dramatically.

The result? Their bank account is overflowing.

Tax revenues build up in something called the Treasury General Account, which is effectively the government’s checking account, and is now at its highest level in nearly three years.

But once the lockdown ends, federal employees, government contractors, and a wide range of agencies will start getting paid again.

This is a boost likely to directly drive money re-entering the economy, on top of the morale boost that investors will get from more certainty. Investors love certainty.

This should mean…stocks will go up?

Let’s hope!