The three major U.S. stock market indices closed higher on Wednesday, extending the market's positive momentum. The S&P 500 index gained 0.35%, the NASDAQ Composite index inched up 0.04%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.39%. The market's upward trend was supported by optimism over upcoming corporate earnings. Several major companies are set to release their quarterly results in the coming weeks, and investors are expecting strong numbers. The positive sentiment was also boosted by the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates at current levels. The S&P 500 index, a barometer of the overall U.S. stock market, closed at 4,179.71. The NASDAQ Composite index, which is heavily weighted towards technology stocks, ended the day at 12,104.74. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which comprises 30 large blue-chip companies, settled at 34,245.93. Among the individual stocks, Apple Inc. (AAPL) rose 0.7%, Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) gained 0.5%, and Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) climbed 0.3%. These three tech giants have a significant influence on the overall market direction. Overall, the positive close on Wednesday suggests that investors remain confident in the U.S. stock market's prospects. The upcoming earnings season will be closely watched as it could provide further impetus for the market's upward trajectory.