S&P 500, Nasdaq Snag More Records as Tech Resumes Climb

• Space stock blasts higher on telecom deal.
• Airline giant sees pre-earnings options pop.
• Plus, takeover talks trigger major moves; FedEx stock sinks; and historical volatility circles the SPX.

5 Things to Know Today

1. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is suffering mass furloughs as the Washington, D.C. shutdown continues. (CNBC)
2. Why General Motors' (GM) EV leased tax credit program is being squashed. (Reuters)
3. Takeover talks trigger software stock surge.
4. Shipping giant suffers bear note blunder.
5. Historical volatility changes could impact the SPX.

Russian output, lack of progress on a Ukraine peace deal, and stateside crude demand pushed oil higher today. November-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude tacked on 82 cents, or 1.3%, to settle at $62.55 per barrel.

Safe-haven assets continued to prove popular, with gold surging further above the significant $4,000 threshold. December-dated gold futures settled 1.6% higher at $4,067.70 per ounce -- a record peak.