U.S. stocks were mostly lower in early trade Thursday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average threatening to end a three-day winning streak as investors awaited a monetary-policy statement from the Federal Reserve, which could offer fresh clues on the pace of rate increases.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average off 16 points, or 0.1%, at 26,166, while the S&P 500 declined by 0.2% to 2,810 and the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.4% to 7,543.

On Wednesday, the Dow rose 545.25 points, or 2.1%, to 26,180, while the S&P climbed 58.43 points, or 2.1%, to 2,813. The Nasdaq jumped 194.79 points, or 2.6%, to 7,570.75. All three indexes ended the day just shy of their intraday highs and booked their best daily gains in weeks.

Wednesday’s performance also marked the Dow and S&P 500’s best day since Oct. 16, while the Nasdaq enjoyed its best session since Oct. 25.

The Dow and S&P 500 have thus far risen on three straight sessions, while the Nasdaq has booked back-to-back advances.

Source : Market Watch