Stocks Hold Losses As Fed Appears Open To September Hike

U.S. stocks maintained modest losses after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged but central bankers appeared more open to a September increase in light of an improved economy. In the accompanying statement, the Fed said the labor market is stronger and the near-term risks from overseas have diminished. The S&P 500 index was off by 6 points, or 0.3% to 2,163. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was off by less than 0.1% at 18,462, while the Nasdaq Composite Index was up 20 points, or 0.3%, at 5,131.