FOMC & Central Bank Meeting Schedule

Overview

Central bank meeting calendars list the dates when the Fed, ECB, BOJ, and BOE set interest rate policy. These meetings are the most-anticipated events for bond, currency, and equity markets worldwide. Track the latest commentary and rate expectations on the central bank news page. Understand how rate decisions ripple through bonds and forex markets, and deepen your knowledge with the macro academy.

Key Takeaways

• The FOMC meets eight times per year with four meetings accompanied by projections
• Rate decisions are announced at 2 PM ET; the press conference follows at 2:30 PM ET
• Markets often price in expected decisions weeks in advance via fed funds futures
• Hawkish or dovish surprises relative to expectations cause the largest moves

Practical Tips

• Check CME FedWatch probabilities before every FOMC meeting
• Reduce position sizes on FOMC days — two-way volatility is common
• Watch the post-decision press conference for tone changes that move markets