Stocks edged higher on Tuesday as investors monitored developments from Washington amid the ongoing US government shutdown, now in its seventh day. 

Updates: As of 09:37:14 on Oct 07 ET, the broad-based S&P 500 index(SPX.US) adds 10.8 points or 0.16% to 6,751.1, the tech-heavy NASDAQ(IXIC.US) climbs by 46.2 points or 0.2% to 22,987.9, and the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJI.US) heads up 111.4 points or 0.24% to 46,806.4.

Hopes for a quick resolution faded after the Senate failed for the fifth time to pass a House bill funding the government through November 21. The vote largely followed party lines, requiring at least eight Democrats to join Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold. US President Donald Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, urging them to reopen the government before negotiating healthcare policies. Earlier, he claimed progress in talks with Democrats, a claim Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denied.

The shutdown has delayed key economic data, including the September jobs report, complicating the Federal Reserve's next interest rate decision. Gold futures neared US$4,000 per ounce, reflecting investor caution. 

With the stalemate unresolved, Wall Street firms are seeking alternative metrics to gauge the economic outlook. Carlyle's analysis suggests only 17,000 jobs were added in September, below August's 22,000 gain. Investor attention now shifts to Wednesday's Fed minutes and speeches by officials including Vice Chair Michelle Bowman and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari. The corporate earnings season begins, with PepsiCo and Delta Air Lines reporting on Thursday.

Meanwhile, mineral exploration company Trilogy Metals Inc.(TMQ) surged 248% after the US government announced a 10% stake acquisition. Dell Technologies Inc.(DELL) rose 4.9% on upgraded sales and profit forecasts, while Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(AMD) gained 6.5% and International Business Machines Corporation(IBM) rose 1.5%.