FOMC
FOMC Rate Decision
Eight times a year the Federal Open Market Committee sets the federal funds target range — the anchor price of global money.
| Published by | Federal Reserve (FOMC) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 8 scheduled meetings per year |
| Release time | Statement 2:00 PM ET · press conference 2:30 PM ET |
What it measures
The FOMC sets the target range for the federal funds rate and publishes a statement; four meetings a year add the Summary of Economic Projections with the "dot plot". The chair’s press conference follows at 2:30 PM.
Why traders watch it
- Every asset on earth reprices off this rate path — decision days bookend market regimes.
- The surprise is rarely the rate itself (well priced by futures) but the statement language, the dots and the presser tone.
How to read it
- Compare the statement against the prior one line by line — single-word edits carry the signal.
- On SEP meetings, the median dot versus market pricing is the tension to trade.
- The 2:00 print and the 2:30 presser often move markets in opposite directions; the day’s close is the verdict.
FAQ
When is the next FOMC decision?
The FOMC holds eight scheduled meetings a year, roughly every six weeks, with the statement at 2:00 PM ET on the second day. Dates are on the calendar page; FirstPrint pushes the decision within seconds.
What is the dot plot?
Each participant’s projection of the appropriate policy rate at coming year-ends, shown as anonymous dots. The median dot is shorthand for the committee’s expected path — and a frequent source of market surprises.
Recent releases
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The official source of each release is authoritative. Not investment advice.