FOMC Rate Decision
Current policy rate (fed funds target range)
3.75–4.00%
- Since September 17 · +0.25 pp from prior
Source: FRED
Next release date
October 28, 2026 (Wed)
2:00 PMET
Upcoming releases
- December 9, 2026 (Wed)2:00 PM
- January 27, 2027 (Wed)2:00 PM
- March 17, 2027 (Wed)2:00 PM
- April 28, 2027 (Wed)2:00 PM
- June 9, 2027 (Wed)2:00 PM
- July 28, 2027 (Wed)2:00 PM
Add to my calendarGoogle CalendariPhone · Outlook (.ics)
Release dates and times are set by the issuing agency and can change. · Schedule source: federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomccalendars.htm
How markets moved at the last release
Released September 16, 2:00 PM (ET) · change from the price just before
| Market | After 15 min | After 1 hr | 15-min range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | -1.11% | -2.25% | 1.36% |
| Nasdaq 100 futures | -0.01% | -0.81% | 0.42% |
| EUR/USD | -0.32% | -0.58% | 0.40% |
Released at the same time:Federal Funds Rate, FOMC Statement
Change from the close of the 1-minute bar just before the release. Other news and order flow at that moment are in these numbers too, so they can’t be pinned on this release alone. Based on the Merini demo feed (MT5 1-minute bars).
Read alongside: US Consumer Price Index (CPI) →Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) →
Recent history
Target range, upper bound| Period | Actual |
|---|---|
| Oct 2026 | 4.00% |
| Sep 2026 | 4.00% |
| Aug 2026 | 3.75% |
| Jul 2026 | 3.75% |
| Jun 2026 | 3.75% |
| May 2026 | 3.75% |
Month-end values of the upper bound of the Fed’s target range (FRED daily series). Source: FRED · DFEDTARU · Oct 2026
Key facts
The FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) is the Fed meeting that sets the U.S. benchmark interest rate (the federal funds rate), held eight times a year. The rate decision comes with a statement, and four times a year with updated economic projections, a dot plot and a press conference by the Chair.
- Released by
- U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed)
- Frequency
- 8 times a year (about every 6 weeks)
- Category
- Rates & policy
- Assets affected
- USD · Gold · all assets
Why the market watches it
U.S. interest rates are the anchor for the dollar and asset prices worldwide. Markets often react more to the forward guidance — the wording of the statement and the hawkish/dovish tone of the press conference — than to the rate decision itself.
How traders read it
Even when a hold is expected, a hawkish or dovish signal from the dot plot or press conference can spike volatility. The dollar, gold and the Nasdaq can all move sharply at the same time.
Want to see the impact for yourself?
The Merini demo opens without an account: watch real-time charts of gold, oil, FX and more around the release (Nasdaq and S&P futures are delayed 10 minutes until you sign up). Sign up free ($10,000 in virtual funds) only when you want to practise trading. In your browser, no install — a paper simulation.
Open the live charts — no sign-upFrequently asked questions
When is the next FOMC Rate Decision release?
The next FOMC Rate Decision release is scheduled for October 28, 2026 (Wed) at 2:00 PM US Eastern Time. Following dates: December 9, January 27, March 17.
How many times a year does the FOMC meet?
Eight times, about every six weeks. Four of those meetings include updated economic projections and the dot plot.
What is the dot plot?
A chart of where each FOMC member expects the appropriate policy rate to be in coming years — a key input for market expectations on the rate path.
Related indicators
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