U.S. stocks are drifting higher Thursday following more signals that the U.S. economy remains solid, for the moment at least. The S&P 500 was 0.4% higher in midday trading after flipping an early loss of 0.

U.S. stocks are drifting higher Wednesday as Wall Street waits to hear what the Federal Reserve will say in the afternoon about where interest rates may be heading. The S&P 500 was up 0.3% in early trading.

Asian shares mostly rose Tuesday as investors were encouraged by another rally on Wall Street. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 1.3% to 37,903.43. The Bank of Japan was expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a monetary policy board meeting due to wrap up Wednesday.