U.S. stocks opened higher on Wednesday, buoyed by a weaker U.S. dollar, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's statement on interest rates and the economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJIwas up 76.78 points, or 0.79 percent, at 9,848.69. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX added 8.84 points, or 0.85 percent, at 1,054.25. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC rose 12.65 points, or 0.61 percent, at 2,069.97.

Crude futures CLc1 rose 0.6 percent to top $80 a barrel, giving a boost to energy related stocks.

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