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.

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 Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor's 500 index ended higher for a fourth straight week. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 121.18 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 15,354.40. The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 15.65, or 1 ...

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 ...

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?

bullish buy Martin D. Weiss: Is today's rally in stocks something you can count on and invest in with profitable results? Or is it likely to end soon - most likely, just as you put YOUR money on the table?

The Dow Jones Industrial Averge (INDEXDJX:.DJI) 50% decline from 14,118 in 2007 to 6,516 in early 2009 was only the beginning.

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 ...