U.S. Stocks End Higher As Fed Signals Gradual Tightening

U.S. stocks ended Wednesday's choppy session with modest gains after the Federal Reserve left key interest rates unchanged and as Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen reiterated policy makers' commitment to watch the economic data. Yellen emphasized the importance of the pace and trajectory of rate hikes, saying the timing of the initial hike is less important. The S&P 500 closed 4 points, or 0.2%, higher at 2,100.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 30.53 points, or 0.2%, to 17,935.07. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day up 9.33 points, or 0.2% at 5,064.88.