U.S. stocks drifted lower Monday ahead of a momentous week full of potential flashpoints in Washington, D.C., and around the world. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3%, though it remains near its record set last month.

On Tuesday, U.S. stocks advanced as voters headed to the polls and fresh data showed the economy remains healthy. The S&P 500 rose 1.2% to 5,782.76 and the Dow industrials climbed 1% to 42,221.88. The Nasdaq composite gained 1.4% to 18,439.17.

U.S. stocks ended lower on Monday, as investors await the too-close-to-call presidential election on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 257.59 points or 0.6% to end at 41794.60, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The S&P 500 fell 16.11 points or 0.3% to close at 5712.69.

World shares were mixed on Tuesday, with major benchmarks in Asia gaining more than 1%, as investors awaited the outcome of the U.S. presidential election and other potentially market-rattling events this week.

Investors will have little time to rest this week, with the next Fed policy meeting set to kick off immediately following the election.

After the election, investors will shift their attention to the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision on Thursday.