Market Overview - The stock market has shown a sense of calm after recent volatility, with all three major indices starting the week positively, particularly the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, both up about 0.5% [1][2] - The S&P 500 is approaching record highs seen earlier in October, indicating strong market momentum [1][2] - The government shutdown has reached day 20, marking it as the third longest in U.S. history, yet it has not significantly impacted market performance so far [1] Company Performance - Amazon's stock is slightly up despite an outage in its AWS service, which affected several companies, indicating investor resilience [1][2] - Apple has seen a positive shift in stock performance, gaining 6% in the past month due to strong demand for the iPhone 17, with analysts projecting a significant upgrade cycle [1][2] - Amazon's year-to-date performance is down 3%, making it the worst performer among the MAG 7 stocks, while Apple is gaining traction [1][2] Consumer Trends - The consumer staples sector is under scrutiny as earnings estimates decline, with Coca-Cola expected to report strong demand in the U.S. but weakness in other regions [2][3] - There is a bifurcation in consumer spending, with high-end consumers willing to pay more for premium products, while low-end consumers focus on essentials [2][3] Cryptocurrency Market - Bitcoin has rebounded, rising above $110,000, alongside a broader recovery in the cryptocurrency market, indicating renewed investor confidence [1][2] - Ethereum has crossed the $4,000 threshold, suggesting a positive trend in the crypto space [1][2] Sector Rotation - A rotation into defensive sectors such as utilities and consumer staples is observed, which may indicate a cautious market sentiment [2][3] - Utilities have performed well, up 21% year-to-date, and are seen as a growth sector benefiting from lower interest rates and the AI trade [2][3] International Market Insights - There is a growing interest in international markets, with South Korea up nearly 50% this year and China showing a 14-16% increase, suggesting potential value outside the U.S. [2][3] - The focus on international value trades is becoming more prominent as investors seek diversification [2][3]