US stock indices rose slightly on Wednesday, as investors widely expect the Federal Reserve to deliver its first interest rate cut in more than four years.
At the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 22.7 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 41,628.91. The S&P 500 rose 7.1 points, or 0.13 per cent, to 5,641.68, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 35.3 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 17,663.383.
The US dollar slipped on Wednesday as Treasury yields edged higher.
The dollar fell to 141.90 Japanese yen from 142.34.
The euro was at $1.1121, up modestly from $1.1117.
Crude oil
Oil prices edged lower on Wednesday on signs of higher supply countering mideast tension.
Benchmark Brent traded near $73 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was below $71.
Bullion
Gold prices gained on Wednesday on a weaker US dollar.
Spot gold was up 0.3 per cent to $2,575.89 per ounce as of 1110 GMT. US gold futures gained 0.4 per cent to $2,602.40. Spot silver fell 0.5 per cent to $30.59 per ounce.
