Major U.S. stock-indexes were modestly higher on Wednesday, set for a fifth straight day of gains, after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the turmoil abroad was unlikely to affect the U.S. economy and that the Fed was on track to raise interest rates this year. Yellen said she expects the economy to grow steadily for the rest of the year, allowing the Fed to hike rates, but gave no direct hint on the timing or pace of a hike.

Most of Dow stocks in positive area (18 of 30). Top looser - Chevron Corporation (CVX, -0.81%). Top gainer - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, +1.11).

S&P index sectors mixed. Top looser - Healthcare (-0.7%). Top gainer - Basic Materials (+0.4%).

At the moment:

Dow 17980.00 +19.00 +0.11%

S&P 500 2104.25 +2.25 +0.11%

Nasdaq 100 4531.00 +13.50 +0.30%

10-year yield 2.38% -0.02

Oil 52.16 -0.88 -1.66%

Gold 1144.90 -8.60 -0.75%