from Zero Hedge
US stocks were firmer and rose to highs in the wake of the latest FOMC rate decision in which the Fed left rates unchanged at 4.25-4.5%, as expected, with the dot plots unchanged, growth forecasts cut, and 2025 unemployment and inflation projections raised, while it announced to slow the pace of the balance sheet runoff. In the presser, Fed Chair Powell largely stressed a wait-and-see approach and said they are not in a hurry to cut rates, even when quizzed about cutting in May, as he stressed several times there is a lot of uncertainty ahead, and to bear that in mind when digesting Fed forecasts.