Gold $1,341.4 -16.60 -1.22%

ICE Brent Crude Oil $105.85 -0.80 -0.75%

NYMEX Crude Oil $100.42 +0.95 +0.96%

Nikkei 14,462.52 +51.25 +0.36%

Hang Seng 21,568.69 -14.81 -0.07%

Shanghai Composite 2,021.73 -3.46 -0.17%

S&P 1,860.77 -11.48 -0.61%

NASDAQ 4,307.6 -25.71 -0.59%

Dow 16,222.17 -114.02 -0.70%

FTSE 6,573.13 -32.15 -0.49%

CAC 4,308.06 -5.20 -0.12%

DAX 9,277.05 +34.50 +0.37%

European stocks were little changed, following two days of gains, as investors awaited a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to gauge the central bank’s views on its stimulus program and interest rates.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index dropped 0.1 percent to 327.63 at the close of trading. The gauge slid 4.8 percent from Feb. 25 through the end of last week amid a standoff between Russia and the West over Crimea. It extended this week’s gain yesterday as Russian President Vladimir Putin said he isn’t seeking to annex other parts of Ukraine.

Fed officials today end a two-day policy meeting at which they will decide whether to slow the central bank’s monthly asset-purchase program. They will announce the outcome after European markets close, followed by Yellen’s speech.

The Federal Open Market Committee will cut its monthly bond buying by $10 billion to $55 billion and continue reductions at that pace at every meeting before announcing an end to the program at its Oct. 28-29 gathering, economists said in a survey. The Fed will also probably scrap its 6.5 percent jobless rate threshold to adopt qualitative guidance for signaling when it will consider raising the benchmark interest rate, according to the survey.

National benchmark indexes declined in 11 of the 18 western European markets. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 lost 0.5 percent, Germany’s DAX added 0.4 percent, and France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.1 percent.

Inditex climbed 4.9 percent to 108.10 euros after the owner of the Zara clothing chain said sales in local currencies rose 12 percent from Feb. 1 to March 15. Profit for 2013 totaled 2.38 billion euros ($3.31 billion), Inditex also said. That compared with the average analyst projection of 2.39 billion euros.

Brenntag AG gained 0.8 percent to 132 euros after recommending a payout of 2.60 euros per share, surpassing the Bloomberg Dividend estimate of 2.40 euros. The world’s largest distributor of chemicals also said it will propose a three-for-one stock split at its annual general meeting on June 17.

HeidelbergCement AG declined 1.8 percent to 60.22 euros after saying that net debt at Dec. 31, 2013 rose to 7.5 billion euros as it increased its stake in joint ventures and paid a fine for cartel infringements dating back to the 1990s. That exceeded the average analyst estimate of 7.2 billion euros.

U.S. stock-index futures rose as investors awaited a Federal Reserve decision that is forecast to cut monthly bond purchases by $10 billion.

Nikkei 14,462.52 +51.25 +0.36%

Hang Seng 21,568.69 -14.81 -0.07%

Shanghai Composite 2,021.73 -3.46 -0.17%

FTSE 6,599.6 -5.68 -0.09%

CAC 4,318.17 +4.91 +0.11%

DAX 9,297.81 +55.26 +0.60%

Crude oil $100.10 (+0.40%)

Gold $1345.90 (-0.96%).

European stocks rose slightly , extending its two-day series , as investors awaited the statement from the Federal Reserve System. U.S. index futures were little changed , while Asian shares fell .

Note that today completed the first session of the U.S. Federal Reserve under the leadership of its new Chairman Janet Yellen . According to many forecasts , the March meeting should not bring surprises. Most investors and market participants are prepared for the next announcement of reductions of asset purchases by the U.S. Federal Reserve. It is expected that the Fed will lower the amount of incentive programs by $ 10 billion Thus , the total amount of monthly purchases of assets drop from $ 65 billion to $ 55 billion

In favor of further reducing incentives say the comments by officials of the Federal Open Market Committee , which have been made in advance of the two-day meeting . Fed satisfied with the current state of the U.S. economy. Moreover, Yellen hinted that will stay the course to reduce incentives.

Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.1 percent . Sensor decreased by 2.9 percent this month amid confrontation between Russia and the West over the Crimea.

Cost Inditex rose 4 percent after the owner of the Zara chain stores reported that the results of 2013 profit was 2.38 billion euros ($ 3310 million ) , compared with the average analyst forecast at 2.39 billion euros . The Spanish company also noted that net profit was in the amount of 703 million euros, compared with estimates at around 716.6 million euros.

Brenntag shares rose 1.5 percent , following a statement that will be invited to a stock split at the annual general meeting to be held on June 17. The world's largest distributor of chemicals also recommended a dividend of 2.60 euros per share, beating estimates at 2.40 euros.

Cost HeidelbergCement AG dropped 2.3 percent after saying its net debt by December 31, 2013 rose to 7.5 billion euros. The average analyst estimate was at 7.2 billion euros. We also add that the third -largest cement producer, forecast an increase in sales and operating profit in 2014.

At the current moment

FTSE 100 6,596.2 -9.08 -0.14%

CAC 40 4,314.08 +0.82 +0.02 %

DAX 9,279.72 +37.17 +0.40%

Asia’s benchmark stock gauge fluctuated as investors weighed company earnings and awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy statement.

Nikkei 225 14,462.52 +51.25 +0.36%

S&P/ASX 200 5,355.6 +11.03 +0.21%

Shanghai Composite 2,021.73 -3.46 -0.17%

Kingsoft Corp. jumped 7.6 percent to head for a record close in Hong Kong after the computer-software maker posted earnings that beat estimates, while instant noodle-maker Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.  slumped 8 percent after its 2013 profit missed projections.

Country Garden Holdings Co. slid 3.4 percent in Hong Kong after the Chinese developer’s chief financial officer resigned.

Fanuc Corp. rose 3.2 percent in Tokyo after Credit Suisse Group AG said it’s a good time to buy the industrial-robot manufacturer’s shares.