China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Wall Street closed sharply higher on Monday, driven by strong rebounds in major artificial intelligence (AI) and technology stocks, as hopes grew that Washington was nearing a resolution to the record-breaking U.S. government shutdown.
The longest shutdown in U.S. history appears close to ending after a bipartisan compromise to restore federal funding cleared a Senate hurdle late Sunday. Though final approval from Congress remains pending, investor sentiment turned positive.
“The shutdown had gone on longer than expected, raising concerns about the economy and potential travel disruptions,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Northlight Asset Management.
Tech giants led the charge, with Nvidia soaring 5.8%, Palantir jumping 8.8%, and Tesla gaining 3.7%. The S&P 500 technology sector, which had dropped 4.2% last week, bounced back strongly. “This is a classic ‘buy the dip’ rally,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategist at Baird. “The AI theme remains solid, supported by strong earnings.”
The S&P 500 advanced 1.54% to 6,832.43, the Nasdaq surged 2.27% to 23,527.17—its biggest one-day gain since May 27—and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.81% to 47,368.63. Semiconductor stocks also surged, lifting the PHLX index 3%, while the small-cap Russell 2000 gained 0.9%.
Trading volume was slightly below average, with 17.9 billion shares exchanged. Meanwhile, airlines faced pressure amid flight cuts and staff shortages—United Airlines slipped 1.3% and American Airlines lost 2.5%.
Health insurers tumbled as the Senate deal ended the 40-day shutdown without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. Centene plunged 8.8%, Humana fell 5.4%, and Elevance Health dropped 4.4%.
Elsewhere, Pfizer won a $10 billion bidding war for Metsera, sending Metsera shares down 14.8%. Eli Lilly gained 4.6% to a record high after an analyst upgrade.
Optimism over AI continues to drive Wall Street’s 2025 bull run, signaling renewed investor confidence in the tech-driven economy.
