Today's Headlines

Bloomberg:

• For Investors Used to Political Drama, Shutdown Is One More Sideshow. After a year of political spectacle, it’s doubtful a government shutdown will be enough to divert investors from the economic and earnings tidings that have occupied Wall Street’s minds of late. As long as it doesn’t last too long. Indeed, you would’ve had a hard time telling anything was amiss yesterday, with U.S. stocks surging to their 10th gain in 13 days and closing at a record even as impasse built in Washington. That standoff culminated around midnight as Senate Democrats and a handful of Republicans blocked a funding bill and the U.S. government officially entered a partial closure.

• McConnell Threatens Early Monday Morning Vote: Shutdown Update.

• Spain Has Rating Raised to A- by Fitch on Economic Recovery.

• ADM(ADM) Said to Seek Bunge(BG) Merger Talks as Grains Traders Struggle. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. sought merger talks with Bunge Ltd., said a person briefed on the matter, potentially setting up a battle for control of the giant agricultural trader with Glencore Plc.

• One Chart Shows How Crucial U.S. Tax Reform Has Been for Stocks. (video)

• Facebook(FB) Trustworthiness Ratings Boost ‘Fake News Award’ Winner.

Wall Street Journal:

• A Shutdown With Limited Impact, So Far. Many parks and other activities stayed open; one exception was the Statue of Liberty.

• Trucking Companies Race to Add Capacity, Drivers as Market Heats Up. Investors hope rising prices to move freight translate to higher profits when carriers including Werner Enterprises, Old Dominion report earnings. 

• U.S. Oil Output Expected to Surpass Saudi Arabia, Rivaling Russia for Top Spot. Boosted by shale industry, rising U.S. production could undermine OPEC’s efforts to shore up oil prices.

MarketWatch.com:

• This is what happens in the stock market when the government shuts down.

• More than half of S&P 500 stocks are up 20% or more since Trump took office.

Fox News:

•  Day One of shutdown brings fiery rhetoric, but solutions remain elusive. (video)

CNBC:

• Here's how your senators voted on the government shutdown. (video)

• New GOP tax law will boost corporate earnings at least 10%, says Merrill Lynch wealth manager. (video)

• A crucial German vote this Sunday is seen as the key near-term driver for euro/dollar.

• Visa(V). CEO Al Kelly is planning for the day washing machines can make purchases.

Zero Hedge:

• Now That The Government Has Shut Down, Here's What Actually "Shuts Down".

• As Women March, Ohio State Course Reprimands "White Heterosexual Masculinity".

• "Explosive", "Shocking" And "Alarming" FISA Memo Set To Rock DC, "End Mueller Investigation".

• Turkish Warplanes Begin "Massive Bombing" Of US-Backed Syrian Kurds.

• Crypto Comeback Continues; Shiller "Bitcoin Could Be Here 100 Years... Or Collapse Tomorrow".

• New Photos Show Vegas Shooter's Grisly Final Scene; Child Porn Found On Computer. (pic)

• Another Ponzi Exposed As Long-Term Care Insurers Double Premiums To Stave Off Losses.

• Facebook(FB) To Start Ranking News Sources, Promote Only The "Most Trustworthy".

• Dr.Copper Slides For 3rd Straight Week, Options Signal More To Come. (graph)

• Shutdown, Schmutdown: Stocks Soar To Record Highs As Bonds Bloodbath, Crypto Crashes. (graph)  

Business Insider:

• Red-state Democrats are feeling the pressure to vote for the GOP plan to avoid a shutdown.

• Financial watchdogs are going through the cryptocurrency market with a 'fine tooth comb'.

• Lowe's moves higher after reports that it could triple in value (LOW).

• GOLDMAN SACHS(GS): The government shutdown will take a toll on the US economy, but the pain won't last long.