Stocks are breaking records, Bitcoin is surging, and gold is up nearly 50%. Meanwhile, the U.S. government shutdown leaves hundreds of thousands of federal employees unpaid, with job data on hold. The economy and stock market appear disconnected as the top 20% of earners drive consumer spending and investment.

The rich getting richer fuels stock market growth as their money flows into various asset classes. Despite the government shutdown, Wall Street continues to break through ceilings, fueled by wealthy investors and institutions responding to interest rates and technological advancements.

With government agencies silent due to the shutdown, crucial economic data is missing, like employment, inflation, trade, and housing statistics. Despite potential investor concerns, financial institutions rely on their own data pipelines, causing little impact on the market. This information blackout may complicate the Fed’s decisions, but large institutions still have access to vital data.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Why the stock market is up even as the economy weakens