The next scheduled FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting will be on April 28–29, 2026.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets eight scheduled times a year to discuss and set monetary policy, and its decisions have a major impact on financial markets, mortgage rates, and economic growth.
What is the FOMC?
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the branch of the Federal Reserve responsible for setting monetary policy for the US. This key decision-making body plays a crucial role in influencing interest rates, money supply, and overall economic stability.
What date is the next FOMC meeting?
The Federal Reserve has scheduled its next FOMC meeting for April 28–29, 2026.
See below for the full list of 2026's scheduled FOMC meetings:
- January 27-28
- March 17-18*
- April 28-29
- June 16-17*
- July 28-29
- September 15-16*
- October 27-28
- December 8-9*
Meetings marked with * are associated with a Summary of Economic Projections.
At the end of each meeting, the FOMC announces its decisions on U.S. interest rates, followed by a press conference led by the Federal Reserve Chair. While these dates are set by the Federal Reserve, they remain tentative until officially confirmed at the preceding meeting.
What did the FOMC do at its most recent meeting?
At its March 18, 2026 meeting, the FOMC kept the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50% to 3.75%.
How often is FOMC meeting?
The FOMC meets eight times per year, approximately every six to eight weeks. These meetings are scheduled in advance and typically span two days. However, in addition to the scheduled meetings, the FOMC can hold unscheduled (emergency) meetings if economic conditions require immediate action.
Who votes on the FOMC in 2026?
The Federal Open Market Committee is composed of twelve members, each with expertise in economics and monetary policy.
The 2026 voting members are:
- Jerome H. Powell, Board of Governors, Chair
- John C. Williams, New York, Vice Chair
- Michael S. Barr, Board of Governors
- Michelle W. Bowman, Board of Governors
- Lisa D. Cook, Board of Governors
- Beth M. Hammack, Cleveland
- Philip N. Jefferson, Board of Governors
- Neel Kashkari, Minneapolis
- Lorie K. Logan, Dallas
- Stephen I. Miran, Board of Governors
- Anna Paulson, Philadelphia
- Christopher J. Waller, Board of Governors
Who are the 2026 alternate FOMC members?
The 2026 alternate members are:
- Thomas I. Barkin, Richmond
- Mary C. Daly, San Francisco
- Austan D. Goolsbee, Chicago
- Sushmita Shukla, First Vice President, New York
- Cheryl Venable, Interim President, Atlanta
What time is the FOMC rate decision announced?
The Fed’s policy statement is typically released at 6:00 PM GMT on the second day of the meeting.
For the upcoming April 28–29, 2026 meeting, the Fed’s decision is expected at 6:00 PM GMT, with the press conference scheduled for 6:30 PM GMT, in line with the Fed’s usual timing.
Will the FOMC / Fed cut rates in 2026?
The most accurate answer right now is: possibly—but not aggressively, and not guaranteed.
The Fed may cut rates in 2026, but current projections suggest only modest easing, likely one small cut, with timing and scale dependent on inflation and economic data.
What the Fed itself is signalling
- The Federal Reserve’s latest projections (March 2026) point to around one rate cut in 2026, not a full cutting cycle.
- Policymakers have emphasised that any cuts will depend on incoming data, especially inflation.
Why cuts are uncertain
- Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, and forecasts for 2026 have been revised higher.
- Ongoing risks (e.g. energy prices, geopolitics) are making the Fed more cautious.
- Some officials and analysts now expect rates to stay higher for longer or cuts to be delayed.
What markets and economists expect
- Many forecasts now centre on one or two small cuts later in 2026, rather than early or aggressive easing.
- Some banks have even pushed expected cuts back to September or later.
See more here: When is the next Fed interest rate decision?
How often does the Fed change interest rates?
The Federal Reserve (via the FOMC) meets eight times per year on a pre-scheduled basis to discuss and potentially adjust interest rates. However, interest rate changes do not occur at every meeting, decisions are based on economic conditions, inflation trends, and employment data.
What is the current Fed funds target rate?
The current federal funds rate target range is 3.50% – 3.75%. That range was maintained at the March 18, 2026 meeting.
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