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S&P 500, Nasdaq post record closing highs; Fed meeting, CPI ahead

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq eked out record closing highs on Monday, although financiers were careful ahead of this week's customer rates report, a Federal Reserve policy statement and Apple's designer conference.

Offering some assistance to the Nasdaq and S&P 500, Nvidia shares wound up 0.7%, the session after a 10-for-one stock split. Some financiers now think the chip maker might be included in the blue-chip Dow.

The Consumer Price Index report for May is due Wednesday along with the conclusion of the Fed's two-day policy conference.

The central bank, which will release updated financial and policy forecasts, is anticipated to hold interest rates stable. Financiers will look for clues on when the U.S. central bank may start to cut interest rates.

This is an essential week for the marketplace in terms of comments and messaging from the Federal Reserve, said Quincy Krosby, chief worldwide strategist, LPL Financial in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In addition to that, you're going see Wednesday morning the CPI report. Anything associated to the economy and anything related to inflation is seen by the market through the lens of the Federal Reserve.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 69.05 points, or 0.18%, to 38,868.04, the S&P 500 gained 13.8 points, or 0.26%, to 5,360.79 and the Nasdaq Composite added 59.40 points, or 0.35%, to 17,192.53.

Traders called back expectations for rate cuts in September after Friday's stronger-than-expected jobs data for May, with the chances of a reduction at 50%.

I seem like it's going to be pretty muted as individuals try to hedge themselves for what they may see on Wednesday, said Alex McGrath, personal wealth consultant at NorthEnd Private Wealth.

Apple shares dipped 1.9% ahead of the iPhone maker's annual designer conference. Investors are eager for updates on how it is integrating expert system into its offerings.

Amongst the day's gainers, Southwest Airlines jumped 7% after activist investor Elliott Investment Management revealed it has actually built up a $1.9 billion position in the business.

Diamond Offshore Drilling shares climbed up 10.9% after oilfield services company Noble said it would buy the smaller sized rival in a $1.59 billion offer. Noble shares increased 6.1%.

Advancing issues surpassed decreasing ones on the NYSE by a 1.06-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.01-to-1 ratio favored advancers.

The S&P 500 published 19 brand-new 52-week highs and 5 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite taped 56 brand-new highs and 177 brand-new lows.

Volume on U.S. exchanges was 10.39 billion shares, compared with the 12.80 billion average for the complete session over the last 20 trading days.

(source: Reuters)