Dow, S&P 500 notch fresh record highs, EV sales rise as tax credit expires

Market Overview - The Dow closed at a record high, up over 40 points or 0.1% [1][6] - The NASDAQ also reached a record high, increasing by almost 5 points or 0.5% [2] - The S&P 500 closed at a new high, up one-third of 1% [2][6] - Small caps, represented by the S&P 600, increased by a quarter of 1% but did not reach a record [2] Sector Performance - The healthcare sector was the biggest gainer, with the XLV ETF up 3% [3] - Utilities and technology sectors also performed well, both up just under 1% [3] - Consumer discretionary sector rose by 0.6% [3] - Communication services and materials sectors saw declines of 1.4% and 1% respectively [4] Company Highlights - Tesla was noted as an outperformer within the NASDAQ 100, alongside several semiconductor companies like Intel and TSMC, which saw increases of over 3% [4][5] - JP Morgan, Walmart, Home Depot, McDonald's, Disney, Goldman Sachs, and American Express all experienced declines of more than 1% [5][6] Economic Insights - The market appears to be optimistic about the government shutdown being short-lived, contributing to the record highs [6] - The market is expected to broaden, with potential opportunities in small caps and overseas markets [8][19] - Historical data suggests that after instances of the Fed cutting rates in a growing economy, markets have typically risen, with the S&P 500 averaging a 17% increase [9][10] Electric Vehicle Market - Ford and GM reported record EV sales in Q3, driven by consumer demand before the expiration of the EV tax credit [23][51] - Analysts expect a potential slowdown in EV demand post-subsidies, but some manufacturers are maintaining incentives to support sales [25][26] - Tesla is anticipated to continue competing effectively in the EV market, adjusting pricing based on market conditions [29] Housing Market - The housing market is seeing a surge in contract signings, with pending home sales index rising by 4% in August [54] - Mortgage rates have recently increased after several weeks of decline, impacting the housing market outlook [54]