Major U.S. stock-indexes little changed on Wednesday as investors kept up their wait for Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's speech on Friday for clues on the timing of an interest rate hike.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (21 of 30). Top gainer - NIKE, Inc. (NKE, +0.92%). Top loser - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, -0.80%).

S&P sectors also in negative area. Top loser - Basic Materials (-0.7%).

At the moment:

Dow 18484.00 -44.00 -0.24%

S&P 500 2180.75 -4.50 -0.21%

Nasdaq 100 4809.50 -7.50 -0.16%

Oil 46.80 -1.30 -2.70%

Gold 1329.90 -16.20 -1.20%

U.S. 10yr 1.56 +0.01