The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite saw modest gains Wednesday despite a U.S. government shutdown, with traders betting on a brief disruption. The market reached an intraday high, boosted by health-care stocks. Investors remain cautious about economic factors like inflation and valuations, while a shutdown could delay crucial economic data. Prediction markets suggest the shutdown might last nearly two weeks, impacting the Federal Reserve's ability to track economic conditions.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.