· The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 100.26 points, or 0.47 percent, to 21,613.43, the S&P 500 .SPX gained 7.17 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,477.08 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 1.37 points, or 0.02 percent, to 6,412.17.
The S&P 500 climbed to an all-time high on Tuesday on a heavy day of corporate results highlighted by well-received reports from McDonald's and Caterpillar and gains for bank shares.
The Nasdaq also managed to set a record high despite declines in Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL.O) after its results. Alphabet shares ended down 2.9 percent.
Those stocks spurred the Dow industrials, leaving the index close to record territory. Data showing a jump in U.S. consumer confidence amid optimism over the labor market added to the bullish sentiment.
· Stocks in Asia traded in the green on Wednesday following the firmer lead on Wall Street Tuesday and as oil prices extended gains.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.73 percent in early trade as the dollar firmed against the yen. Shares of Japanese automakers also contributed to the gains after Mitsubishi Motors beat expectations.
· The dollar was steady as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the day for more clues on its tightening plans.
· The Fed concludes a two-day meeting later on Wednesday, and is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged.
With a rate hike not in the picture this time, the focus will be on the Fed's statement, with markets looking for signs of when the central bank will begin paring its massive bond holdings and next raise rates.
Reference: Reuters, CNBC
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