U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as investors braced for the possibility of the first federal government shutdown in nearly seven years.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.18 percent to 46,397.89. The Standard and Poor's 500 added 0.41 percent to 6,688.46. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 0.3 percent to 22,660.01.
Seven of the 11 primary Standard and Poor's 500 sectors ended higher, with health and technology leading the gainers by rising 2.45 percent and 0.86 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, energy and consumer discretionary led the laggards by dropping 1.07 percent and 0.55 percent, respectively.
U.S. lawmakers have until 00:01 Eastern Time Wednesday to strike a last-minute deal on funding or trigger a stoppage, with the latest Polymarket prediction placing the odds on a government shutdown at about 94 percent.
Talks between congressional Republicans and Democrats on Monday ended without an agreement. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said after the talks that he believes the country is headed for a government shutdown.
For markets, the concern centers on the potential halt to government economic data releases.
The U.S. Department of Labor has said the Bureau of Labor Statistics would "completely cease operations" during a shutdown.
In addition to the uncertainty, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled new tariffs on lumber, timber and some categories of furniture.
The move came after threats to levy duties on foreign-made movies and a plan to impose 100 percent tariffs on branded pharmaceuticals, stoking fears of wider economic fallout from the administration's escalating trade offensive.
U.S. stocks close higher ahead of possible federal gov't shutdown
U.S. stocks close higher ahead of possible federal gov't shutdown
Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon.
Voting began at 06:00 local time on Sunday. At 16:00, an election official at a polling station in Yangon's Latha township announced the closure of the polling station.
Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments).
The second phase of the election was held in 100 townships across 12 of the 14 regions and states. In the Yangon region, it was held in 16 townships, including the townships of Latha, Bahan, Kyimyindaing and Kawhmu.
"We welcome the election, which is expected to bring new changes to the country," said a Yangon resident.
"I hope the parties can lead us and make it a better country, which is why I support the election," said another voter.
Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election is being held in three phases, with the first phase held in 102 townships on Dec 28 last year, and the third phase scheduled for Jan 25 this year in 63 townships.
"The parliament is scheduled to convene in March. Following the conclusion of the session, the new government will officially take office in April. We hope that more foreign investment will flow into Myanmar, enabling the public to enjoy the opportunities generated by the country's economic development more fully," said Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council.
The Union Election Commission (UEC) said that about 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties are competing in the three phases of the election, adding that it plans to set up over 21,000 polling stations across the country for all three phases of the general election.
The election will produce the elected members of the Union Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw) and State and Region Parliaments; the new Union Parliament will then elect a new president, who will form a new Union Government.
Voting for 2nd phase of Myanmar's general election concludes
