Key Takeaways
- Gold prices surged nearly 2% to $4,085 per ounce on Monday, rebounding almost $80, as the U.S. Senate advanced legislation to end a 40-day government shutdown, weakening the dollar and boosting safe-haven demand.
- Japan's newly formed Takaichi Cabinet boasts a strong approval rating of 66% in an NHK poll, reflecting significant public support for the nation's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi.
- BofA Global Research cut its price objective for pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (NOVOB) to DKK 315 from DKK 375, indicating a revised outlook for the company.
- PayPal (PYPL) launched a no-fee "Pay in 4" Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) offering in Canada, enabling consumers to split eligible purchases from $30 to $1,500 into four interest-free payments over six weeks.
Gold Shines as U.S. Shutdown Nears End
Gold prices experienced a significant rally on Monday, climbing nearly 2% to reach $4,085 per ounce, marking a two-week high. This surge is attributed to a breakthrough in the U.S. Senate, which voted 60-40 to advance legislation aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in American history.
The precious metal benefited from a weakening U.S. dollar and increased demand for safe-haven assets amid political uncertainty and growing expectations of a December Federal Reserve rate cut, with futures pricing now indicating a 67% probability of such a move. The Congressional Budget Office had previously estimated that the prolonged shutdown could reduce fourth-quarter GDP by 1-2%.
Takaichi Cabinet Enjoys Strong Initial Support in Japan
Japan's new government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has garnered substantial public approval, with an NHK poll reporting a 66% approval rating. This strong debut for the nation's first female prime minister surpasses the initial ratings of her immediate predecessors.
Other polls also reflect high support, with figures ranging from 65% to 83% across various media outlets, including Asahi Shimbun (68%) and JNN (83%). Support for the Takaichi Cabinet is particularly robust among younger and middle-aged respondents.
BofA Global Research Adjusts Novo Nordisk Price Target
BofA Global Research has revised its price objective for pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk (NOVOB), cutting it to DKK 315 from DKK 375. This adjustment comes after the firm had previously maintained a Neutral rating and DKK 375 price target in August 2025.
Earlier in August, BofA had noted that Novo Nordisk's oral Semaglutide 25mg demonstrated approximately 14% weight loss in trials, comparing favorably to competitor Eli Lilly's oral GLP1 Orforglipron, which achieved 11% weight loss. Despite this, the updated price objective reflects a recalibrated outlook from the research firm.
PayPal Expands No-Fee BNPL Service to Canada
PayPal (PYPL) has officially launched its "Pay in 4" Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) offering in Canada, providing consumers with an interest-free, no-fee payment solution. This service allows Canadian shoppers to split eligible purchases ranging from $30 to $1,500 into four equal payments over a six-week period.
The introduction of "Pay in 4" is strategically timed for the crucial holiday shopping season, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day. A 2025 PayPal survey indicated that 60% of Canadians who had not used BNPL services would be encouraged to try them if no fees were involved. Merchants offering PayPal's BNPL solutions have reportedly seen a 90% global approval rate and 80% higher order values.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.