Gold and silver prices are not straying too far from unchanged in early U.S. trading Wednesday. The precious metals traders are awaiting this afternoon’s conclusion of the two-day FOMC meeting. Volatility in many markets could heat up in the immediate aftermath of the FOMC statement and Fed Chair Powell’s press conference. December gold was last up $11.50 at $1,965.10 and December silver was up $0.311 at $23.767.

Asian and European stocks were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed to slightly firmer openings when the New York day session begins. Today is the main event for the marketplace this week: the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that began Tuesday morning and ends Wednesday afternoon with a statement and press conference from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. Most look for the FOMC to stand pat on U.S. monetary policy, but still sound a hawkish tone.

In overnight news, the marketplace was a bit disappointed that China’s central bank decided to leave its key interest rates unchanged, despite its listing economy.

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index slightly weaker. Nymex crude oil prices are lower and trading around $90.20 a barrel. There are higher odds Nymex crude oil prices will hit $100 a barrel in the coming weeks. The benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note yield is presently fetching 4.343%.