12:29 PM EST, 12/18/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes rose after midday Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average leading the pack, as investors expect the Federal Reserve to shed more light on the state of its policy easing program.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.3% to 6,067.4, with the Nasdaq up 0.2% to 20,154.1 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.5% higher at 43,653.4. The ninth consecutive close lower for the Dow on Tuesday was, reportedly, its longest string of losses since 1978. Technology and healthcare were among the gainers intraday, while real estate led the decliners.

In economic news, November housing starts fell by 1.8% from the previous month to a 1.289 million annual rate, below expectations compiled by Bloomberg for a 1.34 million rate after a decrease to a 1.312 million pace in October. Building permits rose by 6.1% to a 1.505 million rate in November, above the 1.43 million rate expected and following a decrease to a 1.419 million rate in October.

The Federal Open Market Committee will release its post-meeting statement at 2:00 E.T., and Fed Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. E.T.

"While a rate cut is expected [for December], the market's focus is on the Fed's economic outlook and any hints about a more cautious approach to monetary policy in 2025," a D.A. Davidson research note said.

US Treasury yields were mixed intraday, with the 10-year up 1.4 basis points to 4.40% while the two-year at 4.23% declined 1.1 basis points.

In company news, Jabil (JBL) shares jumped past 9% intraday, the most on the S&P 500, after the company raised its fiscal 2025 outlook for core earnings and net revenue.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures rose 1.4% to $71.07 a barrel.