Federal Reserve

The S&P 500 edged higher on Wednesday to cap a four-day losing streak, buoyed by gains in Apple shares and after the Federal Reserve kept U.S. interest rates unchanged, as expected.

The S&P 500 edged higher on Wednesday to cap a four-day losing streak, buoyed by gains in Apple shares and after the Federal Reserve kept U.S. interest rates unchanged, as expected.

A comparison of the Federal Reserve's statements from its two-day meeting that ended Wednesday and its meeting Dec. 13-14: OPTIMISM IMPROVES: Now: "Measures of consumer and business sentiment have improved of late." Then: This sentence wasn't included in December, and likely reflects postelection increases in confidence.

A comparison of the Federal Reserve's statements from its two-day meeting that ended Wednesday and its meeting Dec. 13-14: OPTIMISM IMPROVES: Now: "Measures of consumer and business sentiment have improved of late." Then: This sentence wasn't included in December, and likely reflects postelection increases in confidence.

Below is the statement the Fed released Wednesday after its policy meeting ended: Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in December indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has continued to expand at a moderate pace.

Below is the statement the Fed released Wednesday after its policy meeting ended: Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in December indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has continued to expand at a moderate pace.

The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday amid a backdrop of slowly rising inflation, “solid” job gains and continued improvement in business and consumer confidence.

The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday amid a backdrop of slowly rising inflation, “solid” job gains and continued improvement in business and consumer confidence.

The U.S. economy is in decent shape, if investors can tune out the noise and if President Trump can focus, it can get even stronger.

The U.S. economy is in decent shape, if investors can tune out the noise and if President Trump can focus, it can get even stronger.

The Federal Reserve is largely seen keeping short-term interest rates on hold at the conclusion of its policy meeting Wednesday amid uncertainty about the economic impact of President Donald Trump's fiscal policy priorities.

Japan is not deliberately weakening the yen to boost its exports, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday when asked in parliament about President Donald Trump's accusations of currency manipulation.

Japan is not deliberately weakening the yen to boost its exports, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday when asked in parliament about President Donald Trump's accusations of currency manipulation.

At some point in the coming months, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to resume raising interest rates.

At some point in the coming months, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to resume raising interest rates.

Japanese officials have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that Tokyo is seeking to weaken the yen against the U.S. dollar to gain a trade advantage.

Japanese officials have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that Tokyo is seeking to weaken the yen against the U.S. dollar to gain a trade advantage.

The Federal Reserve is all but sure to leave interest rates alone when it ends a policy meeting Wednesday at a time of steady gains for the U.S. economy but also heightened uncertainty surrounding the new Trump administration.

The Federal Reserve is all but sure to leave interest rates alone when it ends a policy meeting Wednesday at a time of steady gains for the U.S. economy but also heightened uncertainty surrounding the new Trump administration.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday in its first policy decision since President Donald Trump took office.