Stocks extended their midday gains after the central bank kept interest rates unchanged, but still forecast two rate cuts this year. In the press conference that followed, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell highlighted economic uncertainty amid tariffs, but suggested the economy remains strong. The Dow and Nasdaq settled with healthy triple-digit gains, while the S&P 500 closed firmly in the black as well. 

OIL PRICES RISE ALONGSIDE COMMERCIAL CRUDE INVENTORIES

Oil prices finished higher after the U.S. reported a third-straight weekly rise in commercial crude inventories. April-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude added 26 cents, or 0.4%, to settle at $67.16 a barrel. 

Gold futures hovered near all-time highs, finishing the day little changed at $3,041.20.

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