The Cynic: October 1

BUSINESS
This Week’s Business News

Big Food is phasing out artificial dyes and some sweeteners—your cereal may soon be less neon on purpose.

A sweep of pledges from major brands lays out timelines to reduce or remove FD&C colors and certain artificial sweeteners, part of a broader “Make America Healthy Again” push and shifting consumer tastes.

Walmart joined in with a plan to strip synthetic dyes from all U.S. private-label foods by January 2027 and purge dozens of other additives, signaling this is moving from PR to purchasing orders.

Your kid may not notice the color downgrade, but your dentist might send a thank-you card.

The White House says layoffs are “imminent” if the shutdown drags—because spreadsheets don’t get paid either.

On Day 1 of the shutdown, officials warned prolonged funding lapses could trigger job cuts, though agencies haven’t named which ones or how many.

Policy aside, the practical hit is data: delayed government releases would force markets to trade on vibes, surveys, and ADP tea leaves.

In short: Washington’s drama is about to become Wall Street’s guesswork.

Futures wobble as the shutdown muddies the Fed’s path—then stocks claw back when weak ADP stokes cut hopes.

Markets opened on edge over a potential data blackout and policy uncertainty; later, softer private-payrolls figures nudged odds of a quarter-point cut higher and trimmed the early losses.

Investors hate uncertainty, but they love cheaper money—so they’re doom-scrolling fiscal headlines with one hand and pricing in cuts with the other.

Net result: a choppy session where “bad news is good news” is somehow the only stable policy framework.

INVESTING
This Week’s Investment

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REAL ESTATE
This Week’s Real Estate News

Five state AGs (plus the FTC) sue Zillow and Redfin—alleging a $100M deal kneecapped rental-ad competition.

Virginia, Arizona, Connecticut, New York and Washington filed an antitrust suit saying Zillow paid Redfin $100 million in February to exit multifamily rental advertising for up to nine years and mirror Zillow’s listings.

Officials argue the pact concentrated power in online rental listings, raising advertiser costs and limiting renter choice; the companies say it broadened exposure for consumers and clients.

If true, that’s not “partnership”—that’s paying your rival to cheer from the bench. (Allegedly.)

Refi demand plunged 21% as rates ticked to a three-week high—mortgage math giveth, mortgage math taketh away.

After a brief rate break juiced activity last month, the MBA’s weekly survey shows refis dropping 21% week-over-week when the 30-year fixed popped to a three-week high.

Purchase apps were steadier, but the refi roller coaster remains brutally rate-sensitive—blink and the savings vanish.

Homeowners: consider locking faster than your lender can say “points and fees.”

Members-only fever is spreading to midsize cities—because exclusivity scales beautifully.

From Jacksonville to Savannah to Lexington and Albany, new private clubs are pitching cabarets, coworking, rooftop sushi and curated scenes to relocated professionals—initiation fees in the thousands, dues to match.

Founders say there’s enough local wealth to support it; early rosters even feature hometown sports royalty.

Country club vibe, downtown convenience, and a waitlist: the American dream, but with better lighting.

FUN
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ADVICE
This Week’s Business Advice

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