Dan Niles: Govt. shutdown may last long but it really doesn't matter for stocks

Market Overview & Economic Commentary - S&P 500 rose 10% during the 2018 shutdown, suggesting temporary government shutdowns have limited impact on market [2] - Market focus shifting to Q2/Q3 earnings and the AI trade [3] - Anticipation of rate cuts on October 29th and potentially December 10th is expected to fuel market exuberance [4] - Current market conditions are compared to the late 1990s internet bubble, with potential for irrational exuberance [5][6] - Rate cuts may not be necessary given GDP growth of 3% and persistent inflation [10] - The Fed's stance on inflation being "transitory" is questioned, especially with strong GDP growth [10][11] AI Sector Analysis - The AI space is currently perceived as having widespread potential, but is expected to consolidate to a few major players [6] - Circular investments and inflated valuations in AI are reminiscent of the late 1990s tech bubble [7][8] Monetary Policy & Fed Actions - The necessity of rate cuts is questioned, considering current economic indicators [9][10] - The Fed's potential rate cuts are viewed as sweeteners rather than necessities to prevent economic buckling [8] - The Fed's current approach is compared to its "transitory" inflation stance in 2021, despite evidence to the contrary [9][11]