Federal Reserve Stays the Course on Stimulus

More funny money

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday said it is keeping its massive stimulus program intact for now amid expectations of middling economic growth through next year.

But officials sounded a slightly more optimistic note about the future of the recovery, hinting that they expect the numbers could turn in their favor.

"The Committee sees the downside risks to the outlook for the economy and the labor market as having diminished since the fall," Fed officials said in a statement issued after its regular policy-setting meeting ended Wednesday morning.