📈 Stocks / Finance

Etsy, Shopify surge as OpenAI enters e-commerce

Investor’s Business Daily

OpenAI announced Instant Checkout for Etsy products via ChatGPT, with Shopify support coming soon. Etsy stock jumped 14%, Shopify rose over 5%. The shift could reshape online shopping and pressure ad-based giants like Google and Amazon.

Alibaba stock jumps as AI spending plans drive analyst upgrades

Investor’s Business Daily

Alibaba shares rose over 3% Monday after analysts raised price targets, citing its $53B+ AI infrastructure push. Morningstar lifted its fair value estimate by 49% to 267, while Jefferies raised its target to 230, reflecting strong cloud momentum and global demand for AI infrastructure.

Markets brace for shutdown-induced data blackout

Yahoo Finance

A likely U.S. government shutdown could delay key economic data, including the jobs and CPI reports. Analysts warn the disruption may fuel market volatility and distort valuations, especially as AI stock momentum fades and energy stocks rotate into focus.

🪙 Crypto

Crypto markets eye shutdown risk amid policy delays

DL News

Crypto fell 7% since August as a possible U.S. government shutdown looms. Traders fear stalled economic data and delayed crypto policy decisions. A shutdown may delay ETF approvals and Fed guidance, increasing volatility despite Bitcoin's appeal as a non-sovereign asset.

🌎 Global Economy

Xi-Trump thaw boosts market confidence amid global uncertainty

The Express Tribune

A conciliatory Xi-Trump call signaled easing US-China tensions, lifting global equities. Leaders discussed trade, TikTok, and cooperation, calming markets amid fears of decoupling. IMF warns full fragmentation could cut global GDP by up to 7% over time.