The U.S. government is set to enter a shutdown at midnight as Congress fails to agree on funding bills, with House Speaker Mike Johnson blaming Democrats for the impasse. The key issue revolves around Democrats’ demand for extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, which Republicans oppose. Despite warnings, neither party is yielding, and the Office of Management and Budget has directed federal agencies to prepare for the shutdown. This political standoff could impact government services and employment, posing challenges for casual investors who may need to monitor economic repercussions.
The U.S. government shutdown has initiated, potentially affecting around 900,000 federal workers through unpaid leave, while essential services persist. Non-essential areas like student loans, food inspections, and national park operations will be curtailed or shut down. The economic impact is projected to be minor, with a slight drag on growth of 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points weekly. Despite initial market dips, the S&P 500 has historically recovered, even during prolonged shutdowns, avoiding recessions or crashes, as seen in the 35-day shutdown of 2018 when the index rose over 10%.
Berkshire Hathaway, led by investment maven Warren Buffett, is reportedly nearing a significant acquisition, potentially purchasing Occidental Petroleum’s petrochemical division OxyChem for approximately $10 billion. This prospective deal could mark Berkshire’s most substantial transaction since their 2022 insurer acquisition of Alleghany for $11.6 billion, highlighting Buffett’s strategic interest in major industry deals amidst his company’s record-high cash reserve of $344 billion.
A noteworthy update for retail investors: Pfizer has secured a three-year exemption from tariffs on its foreign-made pharmaceuticals through participation in the White House’s new direct-to-consumer drug purchasing program, TrumpRX. In exchange, Pfizer is offering discounts ranging from 50% to 85% on certain brand-name drugs. This move may impact investment strategies, so consider this information carefully.
Pfizer has secured a three-year reprieve from Trump’s proposed pharmaceutical tariffs through a deal that includes discounted drug prices on TrumpRx, a government-negotiated cash website. This agreement not only prevents harsher drug pricing policies but also exempts Pfizer from potential future tariffs resulting from the Section 232 investigation into medicine as a national security threat. In return, Pfizer will offer lower prices for Medicaid enrollees and invest $70 billion in U.S. research, development, and domestic manufacturing over several years.
The original poster is highlighting $BURU, a defense-focused stock currently at 14 cents, as an investment opportunity. They point to significant premarket volume indicating early accumulation, suggesting a potential breakout. Recent developments include a $12M non-dilutive raise from Silverback, strategic partnerships, and expansion into defense and blue-laser tech sectors, all contributing to an improved balance sheet. The poster predicts a short-term price surge towards $0.20+, with long-term potential reaching $0.50+ if momentum maintains.
The original poster shares their high-frequency trading strategy results for September, comparing them with August’s performance. They use TradeZella for journaling and Robinhood on their phone for trading equities, primarily tech stocks known for high volume and volatility. Their approach involves buying small amounts (200 shares max) in specific price areas of interest, employing both market and limit orders, and taking profits early to avoid big reversals. They aim for frequent, smaller trades to manage risk and maintain psychological stability, spending about 2.5 hours daily on this strategy. The poster acknowledges that their results might not persist in a bear market and are sharing this information without it being financial advice.
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is reportedly in discussions for its largest deal since 2022, aiming to acquire Occidental Petroleum’s petrochemical division, OxyChem, for approximately $10 billion. This potential acquisition underscores Berkshire’s continued interest in the chemical industry, following its previous purchase of Lubrizol in 2011. Occidental, currently Berkshire’s largest shareholder, has been divesting non-core assets to manage debt, while Berkshire maintains a substantial cash reserve of over $344 billion, seeking strategic investment opportunities.
❝The original poster is expressing concern over potential market volatility due to a government shutdown, seeking insights from fellow investors or traders. With Trump’s second term in office (2025-2029), there’s uncertainty about how this political event might affect short-term market trends. Caution is advised as the situation unfolds.❞
The original poster reflects on a particularly volatile trading day, likening it to being “chopped to death,” specifically mentioning their experience with MNQ. They express camaraderie with fellow traders enduring similar market conditions, seeking solidarity rather than advice. The post underscores the unpredictable nature of retail trading, especially during periods of significant market fluctuation.
The original poster questions the necessity of daily market updates, comparing it to casual activities like chatting with a goldfish. They observe colleagues dedicating considerable time to stay informed about market news for potential buy or sell signals. The post prompts reflection on whether such daily 30-minute information sessions are truly beneficial for retail investors or traders.
In response to recent news, Pfizer’s stock has risen by 3% following their agreement with the Trump administration on reduced drug pricing. This development presents a double-edged sword for investors, as while lower prices could attract more customers and boost market share, it may also lead to decreased revenue. The original poster seeks insights on how to interpret this mixed scenario for potential investment decisions.
The original poster observes a textbook consolidation in SHOT, currently trading above $0.2540 on Nasdaq. This level serves as a clean support shelf, allowing moving averages to catch up and shaking out impatient sellers, setting the stage for a potential range expansion towards $0.30. The poster highlights several bullish catalysts, including Yerbaé merger, BONK Holdings investment, and a recent financing round, suggesting that SHOT could be worth considering for accumulation.