Dow Suffers First Back-to-Back Loss in 3 Weeks

• Government funding gave lithium stocks a boost. 
• Alibaba stock hit three-year highs on AI buzz. 
• Plus, an encouraging SPX signal; GM upgraded; and MU's post-earnings dip. 

5 Things to Know Today

1. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has approved amendments that would eliminate the $25,000 minimum equity rule for day trading. (CNBC)
2. Typhoon Ragasa is slamming into China after killing 17 in Taiwan.(Reuters)
3. The AAII report is strongly bearish, an encouraging point for bullish contrarians. 
4. UBS expects General Motors' profit margins to return to the 8-10% range. 
5. Micron stock brushed off an upbeat earnings report. 

Oil Jumps to 3-Week Highs

Oil prices climbed after a surprise drop in U.S. weekly crude inventories. November-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude added $1.58, or 2.5%, to $64.99 per barrel, its highest close since September 2. Brent futures, meanwhile, hit a seven-week high. 

Gold prices moved below record highs, with U.S. gold futures for December delivery shedding 1.3% to settle at 3,732.10 per ounce.