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Sep 30 12 tweets 5 min read Read on X
The US government shutdown:

For the first time since 2018, the US is about to enter a government shutdown and investors are bracing for it.

This would furlough 750,000 workers PER DAY, costing ~$400M in daily compensation.

What does it all mean? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
The last time we entered a government shutdown was in December 2018, in Trump's 1st term.

The shutdown lasted 35 days, making it the longest government shutdown in US history.

The average length of a shutdown is 8 days and its implications spread further when it lasts longer. Image
During a shutdown, many Federal functions are suspended.

Services that the government deems “essential,” such as those related to law enforcement, continue.

If an agreement is not reached by 12:01 AM ET on October 1st, the US government will officially enter a shutdown. Image
The million dollar question: What does it mean for the market?

Surprisingly, it rarely derails the market over the long-run.

In fact, 86% of shutdowns saw the S&P 500 end higher 12 months later with an average gain of +12.7%.

Results are consistent regardless of president. Image
The near-term effects bring more volatility.

The S&P 500 tends to finish higher in just ~55% of cases at the end of the shutdown.

In the 1970s and 1980s, this typically came with a sharp downturn.

However, the S&P 500 has finished higher during every shutdown since 1995. Image
Today, Trump said the US will "probably" have a government shutdown.

Prediction markets show there is currently an 87% chance of a shutdown in 9 hours from now, per Kalshi.

The odds of a shutdown by the end of 2025 are near a record 90% chance.

Markets are crystal clear. Image
In fact, data this morning shows that government staffers are already preparing for the shutdown.

The total number of job openings on the US govt website plummeted 87% over the past week.

Openings fell from ~10,000 to just ~1,300 in a matter of days as shutdown odds surged. Image
Meanwhile, gold is set to post a +10% monthly gain and is now up +45% YTD.

Gold has been pricing this in for the last few weeks.

Couple this with rate cuts into rising inflation and gold is on track for its best year since 1979.

Gold just hit its 39th all time high of 2025. Image
Positioning heading into this shutdown is polarized.

As the S&P 500 posts one of its best 6-month runs in history, short positioning in volatility is high.

Net short $VIX positions are at their highest levels since 2022.

A $VIX spike would result in widespread short covering. Image
Simultaneously, the US Dollar is on track for its worst year since 1973.

In fact, the US Dollar is depreciating so quickly that Apollo says it will spark more inflation.

The -10% drop would coincide with a 30 bps jump in inflation per Fed models.

The shutdown won't help. Image
Major macroeconomic shifts have become a common occurrence in today's markets.

This is redefining the way markets are moving and we are breaking it all down.

Want to see how we are capitalizing on it?

Subscribe to access our premium analysis below:

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Ultimately, the shutdown will end with a budget bill and more deficit spending.

All as the Fed cuts rates into stagflation, prompting a rush into assets and a search for yield.

Position yourself accordingly.

Follow us @KobeissiLetter for real time analysis as this develops. Image

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More from @KobeissiLetter

Sep 29
This is insane:

As the record run in gold accelerates, US gold reserves just exceeded $1 TRILLION for the first time in history.

The US now holds ~2.4 TIMES more gold than Germany, the 2nd-largest holder in the world.

What is gold telling us? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
Today's move puts gold up +44% year-to-date.

This means gold is now up 3.5 TIMES more than the S&P 500 during one of its strongest bull runs ever.

Historically, gold falls when stocks rise as it's a "safe haven" asset.

However, the EXACT opposite situation is happening now. Image
In fact, gold is now on track to post its best year since 1979, when inflation in the US was above 11%.

Not even the 2020 Pandemic, 2008 Financial Crisis, or 2000 Dot-Com bubble saw gold post a 40%+ annual gain.

The move puts US gold holdings at ~$1.1 TRILLION. Image
Read 12 tweets
Sep 25
An affordability nightmare:

It would take a -38% drop in home prices OR a +60% JUMP in household income JUST for affordability to go back to 2019 levels.

You must now make ~$113,000/year to afford the MEDIAN home in the US.

Will housing ever be affordable again?

(a thread) Image
According to Fannie Mae calculations, affordability is at record lows for the US housing market.

Just for housing affordability to return to 2019 levels, mortgage rates would need to fall ~415 basis points.

The combination of inflation and higher rates has been catastrophic. Image
A big issue is that wage growth has significantly underperformed productivity.

Between 1948 and 2014, productivity rose ~240% while wages rose ~109%.

On top of this, home prices have risen at a much faster pace than wage growth over the last 5-10 years.

All as rates spiked. Image
Read 12 tweets
Sep 23
Crypto adoption is about to SURGE:

A new Bank of America survey shows 75% of investors have ZERO exposure to crypto.

Now, US lawmakers are requesting the SEC implements President Trump's Executive Order allowing 401(K)s to BUY crypto.

What's next? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
Below is a letter that was sent by lawmakers to the SEC this week.

It asks the SEC to begin opening up 401(K) plans to crypto "swiftly."

This opens ~$10 TRILLION worth of capital, which is 2.5 TIMES the current market cap of crypto. Image
Image
On August 7th, Trump signed the below Executive Order.

This called for the "democratization of access to alternative assets," also known as crypto.

Prior to this, 401(K)s could only buy crypto ETFs and some stocks.

Now, Congress is calling for the SEC to implement the Order. Image
Read 11 tweets
Sep 22
What is happening in Argentina?

In 24 hours, Argentina's stock market COLLAPSED -10%, with the Argentine Peso now down -99% in 10 years.

Today, the Trump Administration offered a "lifeline" to Argentina, sending stocks surging +8%.

Can Argentina be saved?

(a thread) Image
Just 2 hours ago, US Treasury Secretary Bessent made this post:

He said "all options for stabilization are on the table" for Argentina.

This may include swap lines, direct currency purchases, and purchases of USD denominated government debt.

But, how did they end up here? Image
Immediately after Javier Milei became Argentina's President, inflation hit 300%+.

In late-2023, inflation in Argentina was above 25% PER MONTH.

At one point, a cup of coffee cost more by the time you finished drinking it.

It's now down to ~2% per month or ~34% YoY. Image
Read 13 tweets
Sep 21
Tariff revenue is SKYROCKETING:

The US is now collecting a record $350 BILLION in annualized tariff revenue.

This marks a +355% increase compared to 2024, all as the S&P 500 has added +$16 TRILLION since April 2025.

What's coming next? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
Just to put this all in perspective:

The US is now collecting tariffs that are equal to 18% of household income taxes.

Prior to 2025, this percentage averaged ~4% and has not crossed above 10% in 80+ years.

Not even Trump Trade War 1.0 saw levels this high. Image
In August 2025 alone, the US collected $31 billion of tariff revenue.

This marks the single largest tariff collection in a month in US history.

Even as "trade deals" have begun, most people do not realize that tariffs are still historically high.

The data speaks for itself. Image
Read 12 tweets
Sep 20
The H1-B Visa Situation:

President Trump just raised the cost of an H-1B Visa to $100,000 PER YEAR, a +1,000% increase.

The US issues ~85,000 new H-1B Visas per year, which will now cost $8.5 BILLION/year.

What are the economic implications? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
An H-1B visa allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.

The initial Executive Order raised the cost of an H-1B visa to $100,000 for new AND existing holders.

The implications are MASSIVE.

For example, take a look at the top 15 H-1B visa employers. Image
Amazon has ~11,000 employees on H-1B visas.

Assuming the cost of an H-1B goes from ~$10,000 to $100,000:

This would cost Amazon alone an incremental ~$990M PER YEAR.

These top 15 firms would incur an additional $7.2 billion per year in expense under the INITIAL Order. Image
Read 13 tweets

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