Stocks Ended Up after Fed; Dow at Record High

U.S. stocks ended up on Wednesday, with the Dow at a record high, after the Fed meeting and Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen’s news conference. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 24.88 points, or 0.15% to 17,156.85. The S&P 500 rose 2.59 points, or 0.13%, to 2.001.57. The Nasdaq Composite gained 9.43 points, or 0.21%, to 4,562.19.

The U.S. Federal Reserve renewed its pledge to keep interest rates near zero for a “considerable time” and repeated its concerns about slack in the labor market, standing firm against calls to overhaul its policy statement.

Apple Inc (AAPL.O) is set to launch two new iPads and release the next version of its Mac operating system at its next event on Oct. 21, a Daily Dot report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

DuPont (DD) said Wednesday it remains committed to its strategic plan to drive growth and profitability and increase value for shareholders, responding to a letter from activist investor Trian Fund Management LP that urged a breakup of the company.

FedEx Corp. (FDX) reported better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter profit and sales, boosted by strength in its FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight businesses. Earnings for the quarter ended Aug. 31 came in at $606 million, or $2.10 a share, up from $489 million, or $1.53 a share, in the year-earlier period.