Stocks Flat Ahead of Obama Speech

(TheStreet) -- Stocks were trading along the flat line Wednesday as comments about JPMorgan Chase'sJPM dividend disappointed investors, overshadowing its better-than-expected earnings. Investors are also awaiting President Obama's long-term plans to lower the deficit and address the rising costs in entitlement programs like Medicare during a speech at George Washington University. The market will also pay close attention to what the Federal Reserve's Beige Book says about inflation when it's released at 2 p.m. The Federal Open Market Committee will use the report on economic conditions as a reference at its policy-setting meeting on April 26 and 27. Continue reading the article.