The Standard and Poor’s 500 Index is headed for its best annual gain since 2003 with U.S. stocks raising again this week after the weaker-than-expected economic data triggered bets the Federal Reserve will not reduce its stimulus at its meeting.

The S&P 500 gained 0.1 percent to 1,762.11 at 4 p.m. in New York. The gauge has increased 23.6 percent this year, which would mark the best annual gain since a 26.4 percent jump in 2003. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.35 points, or less than 0.1 percent, to 15,568.93. About 5.9 billion shares changed hands on U.S. exchanges, in line with the three-month average.

Last week, the S&P 500 rallied 0.9 percent during its third straight weekly gain. The gauge has climbed 4.8 percent this month as U.S. lawmakers agreed to raise the government’s borrowing limit.