Stocks finished their relatively modest trading day flat, as all eyes locked in on tomorrow's start to the Fed's two-day policy meeting. A 10-1 stock split with semiconductor sweetheart Nvidia (NVDA) wasn't enough to keep the tech-heavy Nasdaq from avoiding a third-straight loss. On the flip side, the stock market's "fear gauge," or Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), snapped a three-day losing streak.

GOLD, OIL SPORT MODEST WINS

On the back of hope for stronger energy demand, July-dated West Intermediate (WTI) crude tacked on $2.21, or 2.9%, to close at $77.74 per barrel, black gold's best single-session pop since February.

Following Friday's steep fall, gold managed to recover its inflation-driven losses. The June-dated commodity closed up 0.2%, to settle at $2,328.50 an ounce.

More By This Author:

Wall Street On The Sidelines Ahead Of Fed Meeting
Stocks Shrug Off Feeble Friday, Secure Weekly Wins
Stocks Choppy As 'Higher for Longer' Fed Rhetoric Weighs