US markets end mostly higher on Wednesday

17 Dec 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday after the Fed announced its widely expected decision to leave interest rates unchanged while also revealing plans to continue its asset purchase program until the economy shows substantial progressed towards the central bank's goals of maximum employment and price stability. The Fed said it decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent, which is where the target range has remained since an emergency rate cut in March. The accompanying statement reiterated that the Fed plans to keep rates at near-zero levels until labor market conditions have reached levels consistent with maximum employment and inflation has risen to 2 percent and is on track to moderately exceed 2 percent for some time.

In one of the few changes to the November statement, the Fed also said it plans to continue purchasing bonds at a rate of at least $120 billion per month until substantial further progress has been made toward its policy goals. In addition to announcing its latest monetary policy decision, the central bank also provided updated economic projections. The latest projections show the Fed now expects the economy to shrink by less than expected in 2020 and grow by slightly more than expected in 2021 and 2022.

Nasdaq surged 63.13 points or 0.5 percent to 12,658.19 and S&P 500 gained 6.55 points or 0.18 percent 3,701.17, while Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 44.77 points or 0.15 percent to 30,154.54.  

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