U.S. stock indexes slipped Wednesday after the Federal Reserve opted not to cut interest rates for the first time since it began trying to help the economy through easier rates in September. The S&P 500 fell 0.

U.S. stocks ended lower but off their lows of the day on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady as expected and Fed Chair Jerome Powell offered soothing comments on the economy.

Expect questions about Fed independence at the chairman's Q&A. Apple, Microsoft, Met and Tesla report results. Alphabet may be sitting on an Nvidia rival.