5 things to know before the stock market opens Monday

• The major U.S. stock averages have all posted at least two straight losing weeks.
• Markets are watching this week's Fed meeting, where the central bank is expected to keep rates unchanged.
• The U.S. faces another partial government shutdown deadline, while Russian President Vladimir Putin won the election for another six-year term.

Here are the most important news items that investors need to start their trading day:

Stocks are limping into Monday. The three major U.S. averages have all posted at least two straight losing weeks. Last week, higher-than-expected inflation readings fueled investor concerns that the Federal Reserve may wait longer than hoped to start cutting interest rates. All eyes are on the Fed as it kicks off its two-day policy meeting Tuesday. The central bank is expected to leave rates unchanged, and it could provide clues about its future policy decisions. Only a handful of major companies, led by Nike and FedEx, will report earnings this week. Follow live market updates here.

Congress is, yet again, tempting a partial government shutdown. Lawmakers have until Friday to pass appropriations bills or let funding lapse for six departments, including Defense, Treasury and State. Congress earlier this month passed bills to fund a handful of other agencies just before they were set to shut down. It's a busy stretch on Capitol Hill. The rush to avoid a shutdown comes as the Senate considers whether to approve a House-passed bill that aims to force Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok.

Russian President Vladimir Putin secured another six-year term on Sunday, winning roughly 88% of the vote in an election that offered no serious alternatives. A handful of Western leaders described the result, which