After Stumble, Stocks End Bit Higher

Stock indexes ended slightly higher Wednesday on Wall Street after overcoming a brief stumble in the afternoon, the AP reports. The dip came after the Federal Reserve released its latest statement on interest rate policy and the economy. The Fed, as expected, held off on raising interest rates. Losses in health care stocks were offset by gains in technology companies and other sectors. Boeing jumped 4.9% after reporting sharply higher profits in its latest quarter. The market was coming off a two-day losing streak and its biggest drop since August.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 1 point, or 0.1%, to 2,823. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 72 points, or 0.3%, to 26,149. The Nasdaq climbed 9 points, or 0.1%, to 7,411.