Wall Street flat as investors await Fed rate decision

NEW YORK (AA) – Wall Street closed flat Tuesday for the session in a row and a day before the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.

The Dow closed up nine points to 18,129 and the S&P was flat at 2,139. The Nasdaq gained six points to 5,241.

The Fed is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday at the conclusion of its two-day September meeting, according to analysts.

The Federal Open Market Committee could make hawkish remarks, however, signaling a rate hike could come in December, analysts warn.

Meanwhile, oil prices remained relatively steady.

At the final bell, American benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up 0.6 percent to $44.11 per barrel, and international benchmark Brent crude lost a fraction to $45.88.