Why the Government Shutdown Matters for ETF Investors When the U.S. federal government shuts down due to a lapse in funding, many agencies furlough staff, delay operations, and slow regulatory processes. While trading continues on major exchanges, ETFs can feel the effects indirectly through:    •    Delayed SEC approvals for new ETF launches or structural changes.    •    Data release delays that can affect market signals.    •    Sector-specific vulnerabilities, particularly for travel, defense, and gov ...