Stocks are holding steady and the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 are all slightly in the green at midday ahead of the Fed.  It feels like the whole world is holding their breath, waiting for the announcement.  The dollar is showing a touch of weakness against the Euro. If the short term chart provides any insight, it forecasts a dovish announcement from the Fed.

It's a wait and see game. Buckle your seatbelts because there could be some wild swings on the announcement.

Data on natural gas is out today. Supplies rose 73 billion cubic feet. Total stock piles are up from a year ago and higher than the 5 year average.  Oil, natural gas and gold are all trading a little lower today.

General Motors (GM) caught a little bounce on the news that it has settled the criminal case on its handling of defective ignition switches. The Company agree to pay $900 million and admit misleading the government and the public. GM will take a $575 million charge in the third quarter to cover settlements of civil cases.

Verizon (VZ) is weighing on the DJIA with an announcement by its CEO, Lowell McAdam that earnings may plateau next year. The change is mainly being driven by wireless customers who are forcing changes to the wireless business model.