U.S. Stock Futures Tumble as Government Shutdown Sparks Market Chaos

Markets reel as Washington gridlock triggers first shutdown in years

The Domino Effect Begins

Futures plummet across major indices as political dysfunction paralyzes Capitol Hill. Trading floors brace for Monday's opening bell with institutional money already fleeing to safer harbors.

Contagion Fears Mount

Financial institutions scramble to reassess exposure while Treasury yields swing wildly. The usual safe-haven assets see unusual volatility as traders question traditional hedges.

Another reminder that while politicians play chicken with deadlines, your portfolio pays the price—welcome to the theater of fiscal responsibility, where the only certainty is uncertainty itself.

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The decline in futures follows an unusually solid September, with the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500, and the Dow Jones gaining around 5.6%, 3.5%, and 1.9%, respectively.

Coming to key stocks in focus, shares of athletic apparel and footwear Maker Nike (NKE) were up 4.8% in pre-market trading, as the company reported a surprise revenue growth for the first quarter of Fiscal 2026. Meanwhile, Lithium Americas (LAC) stock rallied 32% in Wednesday’s pre-market trading on the news that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is acquiring a 5% stake.