Apple, Boeing lift Wall Street ahead of Fed decision

U.S. stock indexes rose on Wednesday, boosted by shares of Apple, Boeing and General Electric following their results, while investors assessed the economic damage of the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak. The Federal Reserve is also in focus, with the central bank expected to release its monetary policy statement at 2:00 pm ET, followed by Chairman Jerome Powell’s news conference. With interest rates expected to remain on hold, market participants are keen to know the central bank’s take on adjustments to its balance sheet and the impact of China’s coronavirus outbreak on global growth. Since the Fed cut rates in October, its third and final reduction in 2019, policymakers have agreed to keep their target policy rate in the current range of 1.50% and 1.75%.