December 18, 2013- Stocks Edge Higher Ahead of Fed Meeting

Even as the Fed is preparing to roll out its verdict on the continuation of the stimulus at the same magnitude, markets seem to have taken an optimistic view that the central bank will do nothing to derail the building economic momentum. The major U.S. Index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Wednesday ahead of the FOMC statement, updated forecasts and the Chairman's press briefing. Among the global markets, Asian stocks closed mixed, while the European markets are advancing. The markets may also react to a lesser extent to some key earnings reports and the housing starts report due before the markets open. The Dow futures are adding 52 points, the S&P 500 futures are moving up 6.40 points and the Nasdaq 100 futures are gaining 11.50 points. U.S. stocks ended a nervous pre-Fed decision session on Tuesday lower, as traders anxiously looked ahead to whether the central bank will indeed decide to scale back its stimulus even before the economic momentum returns in full.