US stocks move higher ahead of expected Fed rate hike

U.S. stocks moved higher in morning trading Wednesday ahead of an expected interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve. Technology stocks accounted for much of the market's gains. Health care companies also rose. Banks lagged the most. Energy stocks also fell as crude oil prices headed lower.

KEEPING SCORE: The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 6 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,670 as of 11:19 a.m. Eastern Time. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 117 points, or 0.5 percent, to 24,622. The Nasdaq added 31 points, or 0.5 percent, to 6,893. The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks picked up 8 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,524. The S&P 500 and the Dow have closed at all-time highs the past two days.