Last updated March 3, 2010: 4:30 PM ET --- The major U.S. equity indices closed mixed Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said the economy continues to grow at a slow pace. The Fed said that economic activity in 9 out of 12 districts has improved but that the gains are only considered "modest." The ADP reported that U.S. private employers shed 20,000 jobs in February, inline with estimates and fewer than the 60,000 jobs lost in January. The Institute for Supply Management's services gauge rose to 52 in February, up from 50.5 in January, at its fastest pace in more than two years in February. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) closed 0.09% lower at 10,396.76, the S&P500 (INX) closed 0.04% higher at 1,118.79, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) closed flat at 2,280.68.