The FOMC announcement and Yellen's news conference contained two messages: 1) The economy is improving, but 2) the improvements are so small, we must leave interest rates effectively at zero. The markets appear to be satisfied with this message, having traded up after the announcement, although it is far from a strong bullish reaction. SPX gained $4 to close at $2100, while RUT declined slightly (one dollar) to $1268. The VIX contracted by about a third of a point to 14.5%.

Based on the FOMC members' forecasts for 2015, it appears they either still hope to increase interest rates this year, or have failed to adjust their forecasts lower. Fourteen FOMC members have forecasts of 0.63% for the Fed discount rate at the end of 2015. Those forecasts would probably require at least two interest rate hikes before the end of the year. But the Fed has also lowered its estimate of 2015 GDP growth to 1.9% and continues to use very modest language to describe employment growth.

Trading volume picked up a bit today with 1.8 billion shares of the S&P 500 stocks trading, but this remains below the 50 dma at 2.0 billion. Trading volume rose 10% on the NYSE, but only increased 3% on NASDAQ.

So where does this leave the market? Historical market trends are largely on the side of sideways to weaker trading during the summer months. This Fed announcement assures traders that the Fed is unlikely to move soon or very quickly thereafter to increase interest rates. The market largely sees that as free money. The sideways trading of the past couple of months appears likely to continue. The bulls' strength is evidenced in how quickly each decline is being bought. But you also see the highs being pulled back in short order. Neither side can make a strong case, so, for now, we are range-bound.

My July iron condors on RUT stand at a net gain of $168 per contract or +21%. The August position is up 9%. While today's reaction to the Fed announcement was muted, that may not be the case tomorrow and Friday. Stay alert.