Summary:
When is the next Fed meeting? Explore the full 2025 calendar and stay informed about upcoming interest rate decisions and economic projections.
In the world of finance, few events capture the attention of investors and traders like the Federal Reserve's meetings. These pivotal gatherings shape U.S. monetary policy, influence interest rates, and send ripples through stock markets, currencies, and commodities worldwide.
As we navigate 2025, knowing the exact dates of each Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting—and what might be announced—can help traders and investors anticipate market shifts and make more informed decisions.
In this guide, we'll explore the complete 2025 Fed meeting schedule, how these meetings work, meeting agendas, and what each decision could mean for the economy.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the policy arm of the U.S. Federal Reserve responsible for managing monetary policy. It sets the federal funds rate — the key short-term interest rate used to influence economic growth, inflation, and employment.
Since 1981, the FOMC has held eight scheduled meetings each year, generally lasting two days, and may convene additional unscheduled meetings during emergencies.
At each meeting, the committee issues a policy statement, followed by a press conference led by the Fed Chair. Some meetings also include the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) and forecasts about where rates may head.
Markets pay close attention to the rate decisions and the tone of the accompanying communication, making these meetings key events for investors.
| Meeting | Dates | SEP & Press Conference |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jan 28–29 | No |
| 2nd | Mar 18–19 | Yes |
| 3rd | May 6–7 | No |
| 4th | Jun 17–18 | Yes |
| 5th (next) | Jul 29–30 | No |
| 6th | Sep 16–17 | Yes |
| 7th | Oct 28–29 | No |
| 8th | Dec 9–10 | Yes |
The Federal Reserve Board has thus far validated the calendar as of July 2025.
The next scheduled meeting is July 29–30, 2025, where the Fed is expected to announce rates at 2:00 pm ET (6:00 pm UTC) on the 30th, followed by a Chair-led press conference around 2:30 pm ET (6:30 pm UTC).
Sentiment surveys suggest the Fed is unlikely to cut rates before then, maintaining caution amid steady inflation and geopolitical uncertainties.
Jan 28–29: The Fed held rates at 4.25–4.50%, noting persistent inflation and strong labour data.
Mar 18–19 (SEP): No rate adjustments, but released new economic projections. One dissenter voted for the unchanged policy.
May 6–7: Again held steady, with Chair Powell emphasising data dependency.
June 17–18 (SEP): Rates held; most projections signalled two quarter-point cuts later in 2025, while uncertainty around trade and tariffs lingered. The minutes were released on July 9.
July 29–30, 2025 (Meeting 5)
This meeting does not include the SEP but will feature the standard statement and press conference. Economic data leading up to it — including job reports, inflation readings, and geopolitical shifts — will be closely watched.
September 16–17, 2025 (Meeting 6)
This meeting includes fresh SEP projections. Investors will focus on the accuracy of forecasts, especially regarding rate cuts or hikes.
October 28–29, 2025 (Meeting 7)
Another standard meeting. Markets will weigh any new economic developments like U.S. elections, global policy changes, or inflation surprises.
December 9–10, 2025 (Meeting 8)
The final scheduled meeting of the year, complete with SEP. It is often a decisive meeting for rate outlooks heading into the next year.
If you're a trader, investor, or financial planner:
Mark SEP meetings (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec) and expect volatility as it includes a Summary of Economic Projections.
Monitor the Fed's dot plot shifts, especially around rate cuts.
Compare Fed commentary to incoming data as weak indicators could necessitate dovish shifts, while robust data postpones rate cuts.
Watch asset-market reactions, such as equities, Treasuries, and the U.S. dollar, are highly sensitive around these meetings.
The Fed is walking a policy tightrope—balancing inflation around 3–4%, GDP growth near 2.7%, and robust employment. Trade disruptions, geopolitical risks, and simmering inflation keep the committee cautious.
Powell's data-driven stance, reinforced this past June, underscores a strategy of "wait-and-see" as tariff impacts play out.
As for 2026, the Fed has already released tentative 2026 FOMC dates (e.g. Jan 27–28, Mar 17–18, Jun 16–17, Sep 15–16, Dec 8–9).
In conclusion, understanding the Fed's full 2025 calendar and the heightened importance of SEP meetings is critical for investors and policymakers.
With interest rates holding steady and rate-cut expectations building for late 2025, keeping track of meeting dates, statements, and projections offers strategic insights for reallocating assets, hedging, and responding to economic shifts.
For now, all eyes focus on July 29–30, but the landscape of inflation, trade, and growth will chart the Fed's path through the rest of the year.
Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
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