Why the S&P 500 could be signaling a pullback, plus the real estate sector's recovery

Market Overview - Stocks fell on Wednesday as Wall Street digested mixed messages from Federal Reserve officials regarding interest rates, with the Dow down approximately 150 points [1] - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both decreased by about 0.3% [2][3] - The Russell 2000, which had recently reached a record high, fell by 0.7% [4] Bond and Currency Markets - Bond yields increased slightly, with the 30-year yield rising to 4.76% and the 10-year yield at 4.15% [4] - The US dollar index rose by 0.65%, although it remains down 10% over the past month [5] Sector Performance - The energy sector led gains, up 1.4%, with crude oil prices also rising [6] - Other sectors performing well included utilities, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples, while materials and real estate sectors faced declines [6] Notable Stocks - Tesla's stock increased by 3.5%, marking a 10% rise year-to-date [7] - Alibaba's stock surged by 8%, reflecting strong investor sentiment towards its recent AI spending plans [8] Government Shutdown Concerns - A potential government shutdown looms as lawmakers remain divided over spending and policy issues, with significant implications for markets and federal workers [10][12] - The political dynamics suggest that factions within both parties may view a shutdown as an opportunity, increasing the likelihood of a shutdown [13][15] Economic Outlook - The Federal Reserve is facing challenges with higher inflation and lower employment, prompting discussions on the need for more aggressive rate cuts [42][44] - Job growth has significantly slowed, with a three-month moving average of only 29,000 job gains, compared to 80,000 previously [44][45] Company-Specific Developments - Alibaba plans to ramp up its AI spending to over $50 billion, which has positively impacted its stock price and investor sentiment [62][63] - Amazon received an upgrade from Wells Fargo, with expectations for AWS revenue growth to reach 22% in 2026 [67] Lithium Americas - Shares of Lithium Americas surged following reports that the Trump administration is seeking a 10% equity stake in the company as part of a renegotiation of a $2.26 billion loan [75][76] - The company's market cap increased from $730 million to $1.4 billion due to this news [78]