Key facts
- The FOMC will meet September 15-16, with the policy decision on September 16.
The Federal Open Market Committee will convene September 15-16, with markets split on whether the Fed will hike interest rates. A strong August jobs report has fueled hopes for a hike, but upcoming CPI data remains a key factor.
The FOMC's decision on interest rates significantly impacts financial markets, including stocks, treasury yields, and the U.S. dollar. Unexpected policy shifts can also increase volatility in cryptocurrency markets.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is scheduled to convene on September 15-16, 2026, for its next policy meeting. This meeting follows a stronger-than-anticipated U.S. employment report for August, which saw employers add 162,000 jobs, significantly surpassing the expected 55,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%.
The policy decision will be announced at 2:00 p.m. ET on September 16, with a press conference to follow at 2:30 p.m. ET. Investors will scrutinize comments for indications on future rate movements. The meeting will also include new economic projections covering inflation, employment, and interest rates.
Market expectations are divided regarding the Fed's next move. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, there is a 58.4% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike, which would adjust the target range to 3.75%-4.00%. The odds of rates remaining unchanged stand at 41.6%. The robust August jobs report has bolstered hopes for a rate increase, with futures markets previously indicating a 59% chance of a hike.
Key economic data, including the August CPI inflation figures due September 11, will be crucial for the FOMC's decision. Additionally, wage growth, with average hourly earnings up 3.1% year-over-year, suggests a strong labor market that could support a more restrictive policy stance.
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