U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday as investors looked ahead to a potential resolution of the U.S. federal government shutdown and awaited a wave of major corporate earnings reports.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 515.97 points, or 1.12 percent, to 46,706.58. The S&P 500 gained 71.12 points, or 1.07 percent, to 6,735.13. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 310.57 points, or 1.37 percent, to 22,990.54.
Nine of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors closed in positive territory, with communication services and materials leading the gainers, up 1.52 percent and 1.24 percent, respectively. Consumer staples and utilities were the only laggards, dipping 0.10 percent and 0.06 percent.
As the federal government shutdown nears the three-week mark, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Monday that it is "likely to end sometime this week," adding that "moderate" Democrats could help reach a deal. He also said the White House was prepared to take stronger measures if an agreement is not reached soon.
Apple shares climbed 3.94 percent to a record close after Loop Capital upgraded the stock to "buy" from "hold," citing strengthening iPhone demand and forecasting sustained shipment growth through 2027. Moreover, Apple's five-year contract with F1 for exclusive streaming rights could mean short-term pain but would lead to long-term gains, according to Morgan Stanley.
Following the first week of the third-quarter earnings season, 76 percent of the 58 S&P 500 companies that have reported results so far have beaten earnings expectations, which is well above the first-week average of 68 percent and slightly higher than last quarter's 73 percent, according to Bank of America.
Major companies, including Netflix, Coca-Cola, Tesla and Intel are set to report results this week, with investors hoping strong corporate earnings will continue to offset broader macroeconomic uncertainties.
With all the spending on AI and the market's rally this year, Canaccord Genuity said the pressure is on for Big Tech companies heading into earnings. "With this much market value added in such a short amount of time, the bar may be high for tech bellwether earnings reports this quarter," analyst Michael Graham wrote to clients in a Monday note.
U.S. stocks close higher as investors expect strong corporate earnings reports
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
