"Wall Street Prepares for Fed Meeting as Stocks Hold Steady"

Stocks traded around the flat line as investors awaited the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, where the central bank will announce its next interest rate decision. The market is focused on new economic data showing easing core inflation and a cooling labor market, which will shape the Fed's interest rate policy for the rest of the year. The Fed is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady, with a 99% probability according to the CME FedWatch Tool. The slight rise in consumer prices is unlikely to prompt a rate hike this week, but stronger-than-expected data keeps the possibility open for future rate hikes.