U.S. stocks finished mixed Wednesday as the Fed raise the interest rate to 5 percent, with Dow refreshing its 6-year high.

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark short-term rate on Wednesday by a quarter-percentage point to 5 percent, the 16 consecutive time since June 2004 and the highest level in five years.

Fed gave no clear clue whether to push rates up further. In a brief statement following its policy-making meeting, the Fed said it "judges that some further policy firming may yet be needed to address inflation risks but emphasizes that the extent and timing of any such firming will depend importantly on the evolution of the economic outlook as implied by incoming information."

World crude oil prices surged above 72 dollars on Wednesday amid worries over Iran and Nigeria, although U.S. energy stocks improved. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in June, added 1.44 dollars to close at 72.13 dollars a barrel.

At the closing time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.88, or 0.02 percent, to 11,646.65, its highest close since Jan. 14, 2000. The index is about 80 points from its all-time closing high of 11,722.98, reached Jan. 14, 2000.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index declined 2.29, or 0.17 percent, to 1,322.85, and the Nasdaq composite index was down 17.51, or 0. 75 percent, to 2,320.74.

Source: Xinhua