US stocks higher after German court clears way for European bailout fund; Fed on deck

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks finished the day with slight gains after Germany's high court cleared the way for the country to participate in a European rescue fund. Attention shifted to the Federal Reserve, which began a big two-day meeting.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 10 points to close at 13,333. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose three points to 1,437.

Germany's highest court ruled today that the country could contribute to Europe's $640 billion rescue fund to help indebted governments.

In other trading, the Nasdaq added 10 points to 3,114. Apple's stock added 1.4 percent to $669.79 following the unveiling of its newest, slimmer iPhone.

Roughly three stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Trading volume was in line with the recent average at 3.5 billion shares.