Stock markets ended October on a strong note with many of the broad indexes posting several all-time high levels. This outcome reflected a convergence of factors including strong earnings from the big tech companies, expectations of a better trade relationship between China and the U.S., and another reduction by the Federal Reserve in its policy rate. At the same time, the Fed Chair expressed some concern over the economy’s rate of growth ahead. The Federal government shutdown is handicapping both investors and policymakers as the regular release of many important data has been suspended.