U.S. Stocks Gain As Fed Stands Pat On Interest Rate

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged even as it reiterated that it is monitoring global economic developments. However, its statement also focused on improvements in the U.S. labor market and in household income. The S&P 500 rose 3 points, or 0.2%, to close at 2,095 while the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 51 points, or 0.3%, to end at 18,041. But the Nasdaq slid 25 points, or 0.5%, to close at 4,863 as Apple Inc. shares skidded 6.3% after its fiscal second-quarter earnings fell short of Wall Street's expectations.