News Summary: S&P 500 index nears a record high
News Summary: With Fed expected to reduce stimulus, investors shrug and stocks rise
EYES ON FED: The Federal Reserve is widely expected to reduce its stimulus when a two-day meeting wraps up on Wednesday. That stimulus has helped stocks.
NO WORRIES: Analysts believe investors have already priced in the expected reduction of Fed help. Stocks have been rising in advance of the announcement.
THE SCHEDULE: The Fed is expected to release its policy statement at 2 p.m. Eastern, followed by a press conference with chairman Ben Bernanke at 2:30 p.m.
