Stocks trade at record highs as government shutdown leaves economic data in limbo: What to watch

Group 1 - The government shutdown is causing delays in key economic data releases, including imports and exports figures, wholesale trade, inventories, and jobless claims numbers [1][2] - The Federal Reserve's next policy announcement is anticipated in just over three weeks, following the missed September nonfarm payrolls numbers [2] - The minutes from the September FOMC meeting will be released, highlighting the Fed's decision to cut rates for the first time this year [2][3] Group 2 - Consumer sentiment data from the University of Michigan is expected to be a highlight of the week if the government shutdown continues [3] - Earnings reports from Constellation Brands, PepsiCo, Delta Air Lines, and Levi Strauss are scheduled, but overall earnings remain sparse [4] - Despite the government shutdown, the stock market has shown resilience, with the S&P 500 and Dow reaching record highs [6][7] Group 3 - Historical data indicates that the S&P 500 has performed positively during previous government shutdowns since 1995 [7] - Investors are focusing on corporate earnings and broader economic trends rather than budget-related disruptions, according to LPL Financial [8]