Commentary

What to make of a potential government shutdown

Even with a historic decline in bullishness this time, past market events suggest staying the course.

Key Takeaways
  • More near-term market volatility may be possible for the U.S. stock market if Congress fails to pass a stopgap funding agreement on or before March 14 to avoid a government shutdown.
  • Shutdowns have been short-lived in the past, but the latest Congressional budget impasse is coming amid the fastest shift away from bullish sentiment for the stock market since the Gulf War in 1990.
  • Since 1987, similarly rapid declines in market bullishness resulted in an average gain of 20% over the next 12 months.
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What to make of a potential government shutdown