The S & P 500 is on track to hit another new high, and now market attention is turning to the start of earnings season. The third-quarter earnings season officially kicks off on Friday, when several of the biggest banks report results. Investors have been largely optimistic recently, with strong economic data offsetting heightened tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty over the U.S. election. On Tuesday, the S & P 500 was near an all-time high, driven by technology stocks. Shortly after, the Federal Reserve will release its September notes meeting. The Federal Reserve launched its interest rate cut by a bold 50 basis points in September. But the decision was not unanimous. This is the first time since 2005 that the Federal Reserve governors have disagreed.