WASHINGTON (AP) — Financial markets are awaiting the end of a Federal Reserve meeting Wednesday to see whether the Fed sends any clearer signal about the timing of an interest rate increase. The Fed has kept that rate at a record low since December 2008. Since March, the Fed has said it expects to keep this rate near zero for a "considerable time" after it stops buying Treasurys and mortgage bonds. Investors will also parse updated economic forecasts that the Fed will release Wednesday for any further clues to a rate increase. With job growth solid, manufacturing and construction growing and unemployment at a near-normal 6.1 percent, many analysts think the Fed is edging closer to a rate increase to prevent a rising economy from igniting inflation. "The adverse market reaction last year really did scare the Fed," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial.