Apple (AAPL) and Exxon (XOM) Highlight Wednesday’s Market Events

Stocks make push forward as Coca-Cola (KO) and Seagate Technology (STX) among those hitting 52-week highs. The Federal Reserve has affirmed they see steady growth continuing in the future, mandating they will stick with the current low-rate policy they’ve been using in an attempt to spur the economy. The US outlook isn’t all positive, though, as a plunge in durable goods orders for March fell the most in three years.

In other corporate news, Apple (APPL) reported a whopping 91% jump in profit. The rise was met with overwhelming approval by investors as the stock jumped nearly 9%. Also, Exxon Mobil (XOM), who has consistently risen their dividend by an average of 6% per year over the last 3 decades, has outdone themselves by boosting it by 21%.