Dow closes up 45 ahead of Fed meeting

NEW YORK -- Investors are getting optimistic that the Federal Reserve will restart some of its economic stimulus programs.

Stocks have closed moderately higher Monday, a sign that many investors expect the Fed to take steps to put some energy back into the recovery. The Fed's assessment of the economy, and any plans to resume its stimulus measures, will be issued after its meeting Tuesday.

Trading was very light as many investors stayed out of the market while they waited for the Fed's decision.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 45, or 0.4 percent, to 10,698. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 6, or 0.5 percent, to 1,127. The Nasdaq composite index gained 17, or 0.8 percent, and closed at 2,305.

Volume came to 725 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Advancing stocks were ahead of losers by more than 2 to 1.