U.S. stocks opened slightly higher on Wednesday following stronger-than-expected corporate results, though caution persisted ahead of comments from the Federal Reserve.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 2.20 points, or 0.02 percent, at 12,597.57. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 1.35 points, or 0.10 percent, at 1,348.59. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 5.50 points, or 0.19 percent, at 2,853.04.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica; Editing by Kenneth Barry)