😴 Govt shut down?

Good morning investors! The market recovered a bit as hopes remain high but a government shut down could shake things.

Today we cover:

📊 Economy and News

President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders failed to reach a breakthrough in a high-stakes meeting at the White House. Both sides blame each other for the looming crisis, with Vice President JD Vance stating bluntly, “I think we’re headed to a shutdown.”

At the center of the clash is a familiar issue: government spending. But this time, healthcare is in the spotlight. Democrats insist that any short-term funding deal must protect expiring Affordable Care Act benefits. Republicans are drawing a hard line, demanding that healthcare and federal funding be handled separately.

If Congress fails to act before midnight Tuesday, a wide range of government functions will halt. From NASA to national parks, federal workers face furloughs, and critical services may pause. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has already confirmed it would suspend major economic data releases, including Friday’s September jobs report—essential for Federal Reserve policy decisions and investor confidence.

This potential data blackout is raising alarm among economists. Years of underfunding, staffing shortages, and political pressure have already weakened the BLS’s capacity. Now, with the appointment of a controversial new nominee, E.J. Antoni, to lead the agency, fears of long-term damage to data integrity are escalating.

The standoff comes down to a slice of the $7 trillion U.S. budget—$1.7 trillion in discretionary spending. Democrats have floated a short-term extension of 7–10 days, but Republicans want to stretch it to November 21. With time running out, neither side is showing signs of compromise.

For all the political firestorms they generate, government shutdowns historically have been nonevents for both markets and the economy. This time, though, could be different, as per this CNBC article.

Reminder: U.S. pending home sales rose 4.0% in August, the first increase in three months, with the Northeast and South leading, though gains may be capped by a cooling job market.

Sponsored by Net Picks

Do you know Jay?

He’s a coach over at NetPicks.  Jay started his career on the floor of the CBOE.

He was in the “pits” making markets in options…

A while back, he shared a critical “Mental Shift” that options traders need to make to be successful.  It’s an easy way to increase your win rate with options trades…

The biggest observation was, professional traders don’t look for “Home Run” trades… They focus on “Base Hits”.

It’s hard, and only a select group of traders can do it.  

But, if you’re able to shift your trading to focusing on more wins, more frequently… you’ll see your accounts really start to grow.

One well known options strategy, that takes this “mental shift” to heart, is the options wheel.

I don’t have time to get into all the steps, but it’s a well known strategy.

Jay is taught this strategy, live a few days ago, and we got permission to record the seminar. 

What’s cool is, he’ll show you the basics of the trade.

Then he’ll go a step further and share how he looks at volatility data and some other indicators. Just like he did when he was on the floor of the exchange.  It’s really “professional trader” knowledge.

And it helps him find unexpected stocks and options to use for the trade.  

Watch the video now, as it will be removed on September 30th.

📈 Stocks

S&P 500 6,661.21 (+0.26%)
DJIA 46,316.07 (+0.15%)
NASDAQ 22,591.15 (+0.48%)
BRENT CRUDE 67.97 (-3.88%)
* Prices as of Sep 30th, 12:20 AM UTC

Electronic Arts (EA) will be taken private in a $55 billion all-cash acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. Shareholders will receive $210 per share. The deal, backed by $36 billion in equity and $20 billion in debt financing from JPMorgan, marks the largest leveraged buyout in Wall Street history.

PIF, already a 9.9% stakeholder, will become the majority owner. Affinity CEO Jared Kushner praised EA’s long-term vision, while EA CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed he will remain in his role.

The deal is expected to close in Q1 fiscal 2027, with a 45-day window for competing offers.

Carnival earning: Carnival Shares fell about 4% after Q3 results showed higher fuel and interest expense pressuring margins despite strong demand; investors focused on unit costs and commentary on pricing.

💵 Personal Finance

It’s open-enrollment season, and today is the right day to prep your choices. Most employers run enrollment in October, Medicare’s Annual Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, and Affordable Care Act marketplace plans open November 1. Getting this right affects your 2026 out-of-pocket costs, tax strategy, and even HSA eligibility.

Start with what changed. Did your doctors, prescriptions, or family situation shift? Compare last year’s actual spending to each plan’s deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket max. If you’re eligible for a Health Savings Account, pairing an HSA-qualified high-deductible plan with regular contributions can cut taxes today and build long-term, triple-tax-advantaged savings.

Medicare enrollees should review Part D drug formularies and Advantage network changes; plans adjust each year, and a better fit can mean real savings. Marketplace shoppers can check updated subsidies and “family glitch” fixes that may change your net premium. Employers often sweeten dental/vision or add telehealth and mental-health benefits—small line items that matter if you actually use them.

Quick moves

Close the loop by aligning benefits with your cash flow. If your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account, set a realistic number based on known expenses to avoid forfeitures. If you qualify for an HSA, automate contributions to at least cover your deductible, then invest a portion for long-term growth if your emergency fund is solid. Revisit beneficiaries on HSAs and life insurance while you’re at it—open enrollment is the rare moment when paperwork and timing line up.

Today’s actions: Email HR to confirm your open-enrollment window and download the 2026 summary of benefits. • Compare two plans side-by-side with the Medicare Plan Finder or Healthcare.gov and lock your pick in writing.

💰 Be a Better Investor

_{Disclaimer: FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY; NOT ADVICE. NetPicks Services are offered for educational and informational purposes only and should NOT be construed as a securities-related offer or solicitation or be relied upon as personalized financial advice. We are not financial advisors and cannot give personalized advice.  There is a risk of loss in all trading, and you may lose some or all of your original investment. Results presented are not typical.  Please review the full risk disclaimer:  https://www.netpicks.com/terms-of-use-conditions-of-sale/}

Think you know stocks?

Pro puts your instincts to the test with our Bull vs Bear AI stock advisor. Plus: exclusive deep dives, smarter tools, and zero fluff. 

👊 Try Pro Now

👩🏽‍⚖️ Legal Stuff
Nothing in this newsletter is financial advice. Always do your own research and think for yourself.

Want to reach about 100,000 investors? Advertise with Morning Download.