A possible risk to markets from a shutdown getting chatter on trading floors

Markets have largely shrugged off previous government shutdowns, but this time could prove different if it shows U.S. government ineptitude has fallen to a new low. That could cause rating agencies to reexamine the high, but fragile condition of U.S. credit worthiness. On Monday the Labor Department said it's preparing a contingency plan for what would amount to a news and data blackout should the U.S. government suspend operations, showing the Trump Administration is preparing for the worst. Moody's in May downgraded its credit rating for the U.S. to Aa1 from the highest possible Aaa level. At the time, Moody's warned that political matters could drive further rating cuts if they have serious economic repercussions. "The rating also could be downgraded if policy effectiveness or the stren