The index is set to replace the Dow average on April 8 as the index whose action will be monitored for the sharp swings that trigger "circuit breakers" halting all U.S. stock trading.

WSJ: S&P 500 Milestone Has More Meaning Than Dow Record for Many

Elsewhere in the region India's Sensex was down 0.1% at 19460.57, the Philippines' PSE Composite was nearly flat at 6458.01, Indonesia's JSX advanced 0.3% to 4503.25 and Thailand's SET index fell 0.6% to 1489.11.

WSJ: Australian Shares Edge Lower

On Wednesday, the BLS is set to release the consumer price index (CPI), which fell 0.3% in November and is expected to come in flat for December.

FORBES: Deflationary PPI Questions Effectiveness Of Bernanke's QE

The expansion looks set to continue, according to this week's purchasing managers' services index, which recorded a sharp increase in business activity in January.

ECONOMIST: Why the Bank has raised rates despite low inflation

Put most of your stock market money in index funds, but set aside a small portion to actively manage yourself.

FORBES: Amateur Hour

While investors will be served the November pending home sales index and the November Consumer Credit report set to be released on Tuesday, the big news will come Thursday when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gives a speech.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Bangkok's SET stock market index is up 7.4% year-to-date, compared to a 1.7% loss for the Bank of New York's Asia ADR (American Depositary Receipts) index.

FORBES: Asian Markets Shake Off Worries

In 1995 he set up his own hedge fund in New York, devoted to index options at the Merc.

FORBES: When the Market Sleeps

The Thai SET 50 index advanced by 1.39 points, or 0.5%, to 300.20.

FORBES: Magazine Article