When Is the Next FOMC Meeting in 2026?
By Ken Chigbo, Founder, KenMacro. Published 2026-05-14.
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Direct answer
The next FOMC monetary policy decision is scheduled for Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at 18:00 UTC (14:00 EST), with Chair Powell’s press conference starting 30 minutes later at 18:30 UTC. The Federal Reserve holds eight scheduled FOMC meetings per year, roughly every six to seven weeks. Verify timing and any unscheduled changes on the KenMacro economic calendar at https://kenmacro.com/free-macro-calendar/.
Upcoming schedule
| Date (UTC) | Time (UTC) | What | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 | 18:00 | FOMC decision + Powell presser | Federal Reserve |
| 2026-07-29 | 18:00 | FOMC decision + Powell presser | Federal Reserve |
| 2026-09-16 | 18:00 | FOMC decision + SEP + presser | Federal Reserve |
| 2026-10-28 | 18:00 | FOMC decision + Powell presser | Federal Reserve |
| 2026-12-09 | 18:00 | FOMC decision + SEP + presser | Federal Reserve |
| 2027-01-27 | 18:00 | FOMC decision + Powell presser | Federal Reserve |
Why it matters for traders
FOMC days are the single largest macro volatility catalyst on the US calendar. The statement drops at 18:00 UTC, then Powell takes questions 30 minutes later, often moving markets harder than the release itself. The desk watches the USD, gold, US Treasuries (front-end especially), S&P 500 and BTC for synchronised repricing on rate-path shifts. Quarterly meetings in March, June, September and December also ship the Summary of Economic Projections, including the dot plot, which resets two-year terminal-rate expectations. Read the statement diff, the SEP medians and Powell’s tone on labour and inflation in sequence.
Open the KenMacro economic calendar
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Frequently asked
What time does the FOMC decision release?
The FOMC statement is published at 18:00 UTC, which is 14:00 EST or 19:00 BST during British Summer Time. Chair Powell’s press conference begins 30 minutes after the statement, at 18:30 UTC, and typically runs around 45 to 60 minutes covering prepared remarks and journalist questions.
Which FOMC meetings include the dot plot?
The Summary of Economic Projections, which contains the dot plot, ships at four meetings per year: March, June, September and December. In 2026 that means the 17 June, 16 September and 9 December meetings deliver an SEP. The remaining four scheduled meetings publish a statement and presser only, with no projections.
How often does the FOMC meet?
The Federal Open Market Committee holds eight scheduled meetings per calendar year, spaced roughly every six to seven weeks. Each meeting runs across two days, with the policy decision announced on the second afternoon. The committee can also convene unscheduled meetings during financial stress, though those remain rare events outside crisis periods.
What assets move most on FOMC days?
Front-end US Treasuries (2-year yields) typically react first to rate-path repricing, followed by the US dollar index, gold, S&P 500 and BTC. Volatility frequently peaks during Powell’s press conference rather than at the 18:00 UTC statement release, as guidance language and Q&A reset terminal-rate and cut-timing expectations across asset classes.
Schedule dates are subject to change by the source institution. Verify against the source schedule before acting. Educational analysis only, not financial advice.
中文读者：美联储议息会议（FOMC）时间表
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