Government Shutdown, Insider Sales, Window Dressing

Written By Denis Rezendes, CFA

Discretionary, non-essential Federal spending is officially on pause, as the government entered a shutdown earlier this week. Unfortunately, economic data collection is considered non-essential, leaving investors to rely on alternative data sources for the time being. The timing is not ideal, with the labor market being in such a precarious position. The AI boom is not just reshaping the stock market, it’s also reshaping the economics of the market leaders.  Investors are giddy, but insiders are singing a different tune. Thematic equity ETFs. House prices. Window dressing. How long is your commute?

 

1. Bondholders need not worry, interest is mandatory:

Source: Goldman Sachs, @neilksethi via the Daily Chartbook on 9/29/2025

 

2. The current “frozen” labor market, no hiring or firing, is unprecedented:

Source: Dario Perkins, TS Lombard via the Daily Chartbook on 9/30/2025

 

3. This isn’t your parent’s stock market:

Source: Callum Thomas, Topdown Charts via the Daily Chartbook on 10/1/2025

 

4. Technology companies are transitioning from cash flow machines to cap ex machines:

Source: @lhamtil

 

5. A bet on stocks over bonds is a bet on strong earnings growth:

Source: John Authers, Points of Return

 

6. Insiders have accelerated their share sales:

Source: @isabelnet_sa via the Daily Chartbook on 9/29/2025

 

7. Investors should be cautious of crowded trades with ample capital:

Source: @vrntperception via the Daily Chartbook on 9/25/2025

 

8. Unsurprisingly, there’s a strong relationship between home prices and inventory:

Source: @mnolangray

 

9. It’s time for retail investors to tune up their portfolios with Thanksgiving just around the corner:

Source: Scott Rubner, Citadel Securities via the Daily Chartbook on 9/30/2025

 

10. My bike commute to downtown Boston takes about 40 minutes:

Source: Drew Downing

 

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