<h1>US stocks pause near record highs as rally cools amid Fed rate cut doubts, tariff hopes, mixed corporate news</h1> US stocks ticked higher but largely drifted after a recent rally, with major indexes near record highs as the market pauses. The rally since April has been driven by hopes that the administration's tariffs won't derail trade and that the Federal Reserve will cut rates, but investors worry valuations may be stretched if rate cuts fall short. Trading was subdued amid few economic or corporate catalysts; a work-uniform supplier's shares slipped despite modestly better quarterly results, while a lithium developer surged after reports the government may take an ownership stake and is negotiating loan terms with the Energy Department and an automaker. Overseas markets were mixed and the 10-year Treasury yield edged up.