Government shutdowns have become more common over the past half-century with more than 20 shutdowns since 1976. And while they tend to generate a lot of noise, markets don't necessarily panic, as the S&P 500 has posted a 72% win rate over the past four decades.
But market stability doesn't always reflect how people feel. Wall Street may keep moving forward, but Main Street often responds with more caution — especially when federal paychecks are halted, the news cycle turns negative, and financial uncertainty starts to hit closer to home.
