Major US stock indexes rose slightly, as investors continued to follow the last round of trade negotiations between the US and China, and also analyzed the minutes of the last Fed meeting,

The protocol reported that the Fed leaders at their meeting held on January 29-30, agreed to announce their intention to stop the balance reduction later this year. “Such a statement will make a more definite process for completing the normalization of the Fed’s balance sheet," the protocol noted. The leaders also took a pause in the rate hike cycle until there is more clarity about the implications of increasing risks to the growth of the US economy since the short-term rate was raised in December. "Many representatives said that it was not yet clear what adjustments later this year would probably need to be made in the target range of rates for federal Ndam, "- said in the protocols.

Market participants also followed US and Chinese trade negotiations. A new round of talks between representatives of the two countries started yesterday, and a meeting at the highest level is scheduled for Thursday, the results of which, as investors hope, will allow the protracted trade war to be resolved before the deadline for concluding a deal in early March. President Trump offered to postpone the deadline to make a deal, telling reporters that March 1 is not a “magic date.” The extension of the deadline will prevent the immediate increase in tariffs on imports from China of goods worth $ 200 billion to 25% from 10%.

Most of the components of DOW finished trading in positive territory (18 out of 30). The growth leader was Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, + 3.44%). Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. was an outsider. (WBA; -3.60%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P recorded an increase. The industrial goods sector grew the most (+ 0.7%). Only the health sector decreased (-0.1%)

At the time of closing:

Dow 25,954.44 +63.12 +0.24%

S & P 500 2,784.70 +4.94 +0.18%

Nasdaq 100 7,489.07 +2.30 +0.03%

U.S. stock-index traded flat on Wednesday, as market participants monitored the latest round of the U.S.-China trade talks and awaited the release of the FOMC minutes from the January meeting.

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Wal-Mart (WMT) target raised to $115 from $113 at Telsey Advisory Group