Stocks Open Higher Level After Fed Announcement The stock market opened higher on Wednesday, following the Federal Reserve's announcement that it would keep interest rates near zero and continue its bond-buying program. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both gained 0.4%. The Fed's decision to maintain its accommodative monetary policy was widely expected, as the central bank has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to supporting the economic recovery from the pandemic. However, the announcement still provided a boost to investor sentiment, as it signaled that the Fed is willing to provide ongoing support to the economy as needed. In addition to the Fed's announcement, investors were also encouraged by positive earnings reports from several major companies. Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet all reported better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter, driven by strong demand for their products and services. The strong earnings reports helped to offset concerns about the ongoing spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has led to renewed restrictions and lockdowns in some parts of the world. While the Delta variant has raised concerns about the pace of the global economic recovery, investors appear to be betting that the ongoing vaccination efforts will ultimately help to contain the virus and support continued growth. Looking ahead, investors will be closely watching the ongoing debate in Washington over infrastructure spending and other economic stimulus measures. While Democrats have proposed a $3.5 trillion spending package that includes investments in infrastructure, climate change, and social programs, Republicans have pushed back against the size and scope of the proposal. Despite the political uncertainty, however, many investors remain optimistic about the outlook for the stock market and the broader economy. With interest rates expected to remain low for the foreseeable future and corporate earnings continuing to improve, there are plenty of reasons to believe that the stock market will continue to climb higher in the months ahead.