US equity markets retreated on Wednesday as traders adopted a defensive posture ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.14%, while the S&P 500 mirrored that decline.
05%, reflecting a slight preference for growth stocks despite the broader risk-off mood.
The Nasdaq Composite saw a more modest drop of 0.05%, reflecting a slight preference for growth stocks despite the broader risk-off mood.
The sell-off comes against a backdrop of simmering tensions in the Middle East, which has kept risk premiums elevated across global markets.
Investors are balancing geopolitical uncertainty with the immediate catalyst of the Fed's monetary policy announcement.
The central bank's decision is expected to provide clarity on the trajectory of borrowing costs, a key driver for equity valuations.