The Week in Numbers: US Shutdown Costs, Tech Earnings Surge, and Corporate Restructuring

US Government Shutdown Impact

• 💰 The US government shutdown is estimated to cost the country $15 billion in lost output, according to a US Treasury official.
• ⚠️ The prolonged dispute, now over two weeks old, is seen as the sole factor slowing down an investment boom in the United States.

Tech Sector Gains

• 📈 Chip giant TSMC reported a 39.1% jump in earnings, reaching a record high profit of nearly $15 billion, driven by the AI boom and demand from major clients.
• 🚀 Samsung expects a third-quarter operating profit of $8.5 billion, significantly exceeding analyst projections, with demand for memory chips in data centers fueling the surge.

Corporate Restructuring and Investment

• 🛠️ Nestle plans to cut 16,000 jobs as part of a broader strategy to improve efficiency under new CEO Philip Navertil.
• 🏦 JP Morgan Chase commits $10 billion to firms critical for US national security and economic resilience, as part of a larger 10-year, $1.5 trillion pledge to finance key industries.