EDITOR'S NOTE
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's delicate dance seemed to appease investors on Wednesday.
"I think we're some way away from having had substantial further progress toward the maximum employment goal. I would want to see some strong job numbers," Powell said in a press conference.
The S&P 500 turned higher following his comments, but eventually ended the session little changed at 4,400.64. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.7% to 14,762.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 127.59 points, or nearly 0.4%, to 34,930.93. 
The central bank started purchasing at least $120 billion a month in bonds and other securities in December until "substantial further progress" had been made on employment and inflation.
"Fed's continued patience is being cheered by the markets," said Anu Gaggar, global investment strategist at Commonwealth Financial Network. "There was acknowledgement of continued progress towards the Fed's goals, but there is ways to go before the Fed can be nudged to act."
Also supporting the market on Wednesday was a jump in Alphabet and Boeing shares.
Google-parent Alphabet popped 3.1% after the tech giant posted quarterly results, registering a 69% jump in advertising revenue. Boeing shares climbed nearly 4.2% after the manufacturer posted its first profit since the third quarter of 2019, thanks to a rebound in aircraft deliveries. TOP NEWS
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