FOMC Meeting Schedule: When Does the Fed Meet?

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets 8 times per year to set monetary policy and interest rates. These meetings are among the most important events for stock market investors, as Fed decisions can cause significant market volatility.

This guide provides the complete FOMC meeting schedule, explains when rate decisions are announced, and helps you prepare for these market-moving events.

2025 FOMC Meeting Schedule

FOMC Meeting Format

Most FOMC meetings follow this schedule:

What Gets Announced at FOMC Meetings

At 2:00 PM ET on the second day of each meeting, the Fed releases:

• Interest rate decision: Whether the federal funds rate is raised, lowered, or kept unchanged
• Policy statement: Explanation of the decision and economic outlook
• Economic projections: Fed's forecasts for GDP, inflation, and unemployment
• Dot plot: Individual Fed members' interest rate forecasts (released quarterly)
• Press conference: Fed Chair answers questions from reporters (at some meetings)

How to Prepare for FOMC Meetings

• Mark FOMC meeting dates on your calendar well in advance
• Review economic data (CPI, jobs reports) before meetings to anticipate Fed actions
• Consider reducing positions or using protective stops before announcements
• Be prepared for volatility at 2:00 PM ET on announcement days
• Read the Fed's statement carefully—forward guidance often matters more than the rate decision