There was a lot of confusion over the Federal Reserve's rate decision and outlook Wednesday afternoon. Yes, the central bank made the rate cut the market wanted and signaled more were coming. But Chair Jerome Powell characterized it as just a "risk management" cut, pouring cold water on some of the enthusiasm. The Fed's so-called dot plot of rate forecasts only added to the confusion, showing a scatter plot of views for the new year. The stock market appeared to like the central bank's actions at first, then not like them, then endorse them again somewhat before the close. And Thursday's futures' gains show stock investors are ultimately liking what the Fed gave them a day ago. AI may explain some of that enthusiasm from traders this morning. JPMorgan used AI-based natural language process

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