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The Latest: Markets cautious ahead of Fed announcement

Specialist Anthony Rinaldi works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Stocks around the world pulled back Tuesday as investors wait to hear from the Federal Reserve, which is beginning a two-day policy meeting on interest rates. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Specialist Anthony Rinaldi works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Stocks around the world pulled back Tuesday as investors wait to hear from the Federal Reserve, which is beginning a two-day policy meeting on interest rates. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

By Associated Press March 15, 2017 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Latest on the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting (all times local):

6:00 a.m.

Trading in stock markets is cautious and the dollar is slightly weaker as investors look ahead to an expected interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve.

Because the increase is widely expected, a key point of focus will be Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s subsequent news conference, which investors will watch for hints on how quickly rates might be raised in the future.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 is down 0.2 percent Wednesday while Germany’s DAX is 0.1 percent higher. Futures for the Dow and S&P 500 are both up 0.2 percent.

The dollar, meanwhile, is down 0.1 percent against the Japanese yen, at 114.63 yen. The euro is 0.2 percent higher at $1.0628.