Stock markets around the world posted solid gains Wednesday ahead of an expected interest rate hike from the U.S. Federal Reserve. More interest though will be on the statement accompanying the decision and the press conference of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. U.S. stocks were poised to make solid gains with Dow futures and the broader S&P 500 futures up 0.6 percent. For stock markets, battered recently by a series of concerns notably related to mounting trade tensions between the U.S. and China, any such hint could help sentiment improve coming into the year's end. CURRENCIES: The euro was up 0.3 percent at $1.14 while the dollar fell 0.2 percent to 112.38 yen.

Source: ABC News December 19, 2018 06:40 UTC