U.S. stocks decline ahead of Fed policy meeting

U.S. stocks traded lower in the morning session on Monday as investors remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's key policy meeting.

By midday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 75.50 points, or 0.46 percent, to 16,357.59. The S&P 500 lost 9.87 points, or 0.50 percent, to 1,951.18. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 23.83 points, or 0.49 percent, to 4,798.51.

With no major economic data due out Monday, Wall Street remains focused on the Fed ahead of its two-day policy meeting starting on Wednesday, in which the U.S. central bank could raise interest rates for the first time in more than nine years.

Wall Street economists are split on whether the Fed will raise rates on Thursday, with a small majority forecasting no rate rise in the meeting, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"We expect a hike because the Fed's forward guidance conditions have been met. In addition, speeches, interviews and testimony suggest an overwhelming majority of FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) voters favor a hike," chief economist at FTN Financial Chris Low said in a note.

Uncertainty about the Fed's decision whether or not to hike rates in its two-day policy meeting has been contributing to recent volatility in the market.

Overseas, Chinese shares continued to head south on Monday after weak economic data released over the weekend, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dipping 2.67 percent.

On Friday, U.S. stocks pared early losses to end higher as investors pondered over economic reports. Endit