The Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & poor's 500 index edged lower on Monday as investors waited on more information about the Federal Reserve's economic stimulus program.

John Whitefoot: Despite the record run of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) and S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX), many investors continue to sit on the sidelines, preferring capital preservation to wealth creation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is pointed just north of breakeven ahead of the bell, with stocks poised for another session of consolidation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is modestly lower ahead of the bell, as stocks take a breather from their quest for new highs.

John Whitefoot: It's been strange watching the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) and S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) continue to march higher for the last few months, moving in direct contrast to the underlying economic indicators.

The stock market is closing out its third straight week of gains. Small-company stocks fared better than blue chips. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 35.87 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 15,118.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 7.03 ...

The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) LONDON -- Stock index futures at 7 a.m. EDT indicate that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow Jones Indices:.

Wall Street was one of the biggest cheerleaders back then, with some calling for the Dow to target 20,000. Sounds a bit familiar, don't you agree?

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 27 points to 15,091, a decline of 0.2 percent, shortly after the market opened Monday.

What does all that mean to the average investor? At this point not much, in part because (as the BofA/ML report points out) .... What follows is basically my outline of why I think so far the industry has avoided the pitfalls that it’s being accused ...