Stocks Rise Despite Shutdown; Musk Criticizes Netflix, Swift Drops New Album
Despite the ongoing government shutdown, the stock market has shown resilience, with all major indexes reaching record highs. Investors remain hopeful for progress as day three of the shutdown unfolds. President Donald Trump has referred to this situation as an “unprecedented opportunity” to cut Democratic priorities.
Stock Market Thrives Amid Shutdown
As the shutdown continues, the absence of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ jobs report has prompted economists to use alternative data to assess the labor market’s health. Despite the political uncertainty, major averages, including the Russell 2000, are projected to close the week positively.
- All major indexes hit record highs.
- Economists are analyzing alternative data due to the jobs report delay.
- Russell 2000 and other averages anticipated to finish in the green.
Elon Musk Criticizes Netflix
In entertainment news, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has launched a critique of Netflix. This week, he urged followers on X to cancel Netflix subscriptions “for the health of your kids.” His comments seem to target Netflix’s animated series, “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” which features a transgender character and was canceled this year.
- Musk’s call to cancel subscriptions comes amidst a conservative backlash.
- Netflix’s stock has experienced a 4% decline this week.
Taylor Swift’s New Album Launch
In music news, fans of Taylor Swift can celebrate the release of her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Vinyl editions are available for purchase, with prices unaffected by recent tariffs due to a Cold War-era exemption. Expectations for first-week sales are high, with estimates exceeding 1 million units.
- Swift’s new album release is set for high demand.
- 1 million vinyl copies sold in the first week projected by Billboard.
Implications for New Graduates
Recent data indicates that a bachelor’s degree is no longer a guaranteed pathway to a white-collar career. This trend impacts economic indicators and presents challenges for recent graduates as they face a drastically different transition into adulthood than they anticipated.
As the week unfolds, these significant developments across finance, technology, and entertainment continue to shape the conversation among investors and consumers alike.
