Wall Street stocks finished at fresh records again Thursday as a US government shutdown dragged into a second day.

President Donald Trump signaled he plans mass layoffs of US federal workers amid the stalemate in budget talks. A Senate vote is expected Friday on a House-passed resolution to keep the government funded at current levels through November 21.

Following an up day on leading bourses in Europe and Asia, US stocks dipped into negative territory during the session, but all three major US indices finished at records after ending the day in positive territory.

Both the Dow and S&P 500 also finished at records on Wednesday, due in part to expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later this month.

"Investors don't really expect a shutdown to be concluded anytime soo

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