Stocks Trip Ahead of Fed Gathering

Updated from 2:13 p.m. EDT

Stocks in the U.S. fell Monday as buyers sat on the sidelines ahead of the upcoming meeting of Federal Reserve policymakers a day from now.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 42.17 points, or 0.4%, at 11,284.15, and the S&P 500 was off 11.30 points, or 0.9%, at 1249.01. The Nasdaq declined 25.40 points, or 1.1%, to 2285.56.

As is often the case, traders appeared unwilling to make big bets ahead of Tuesday's Fed meeting. While the Fed isn't expected to make any change to the overnight lending rate, investors will be anxious to learn what the central bank thinks about the state of the economy and whether another move could be near. ...