Federal Reserve Meeting Kicks Off: Details on Schedule, Timing, and Streaming Information for Powell's Address
US Federal Reserve Policy Meeting: Interest Rate Decision Looms
The US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting is scheduled to begin on 28 April, with officials set to evaluate the economic outlook and consider the future trajectory of interest rates. The rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets eight times annually to assess key metrics such as inflation, economic growth, and employment before determining the federal funds rate.
At its previous meeting on 17-18 March, the committee left rates unchanged, keeping the federal funds rate within the 3.5% to 3.75% range. So far in 2026, the Federal Reserve has maintained its benchmark rate, following a period of rate cuts in 2024 and 2025. Investors are now closely monitoring for indications on whether the central bank may resume rate cuts later this year.
Policy Meeting Details
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The dates for the US Fed meeting are 28-29 April. The policy statement will be released at 2 p.m. ET on 29 April, followed by a press conference addressed by Jerome Powell. Investors can watch US Fed chairman Jerome Powell's press conference address via the official live stream on the US Federal Reserve's website: https://www.federalreserve.gov/. His speech will also be broadcast live on the Federal Reserve's official YouTube channel on Wednesday at this link: https://www.youtube.com/federalreserve.
For investors in India, the announcement will be made at 11:30 p.m. Investors tracking remarks from Powell following the FOMC policy decision can watch them at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, as per the official schedule. Indian investors can also follow Powell's speech through the official website links mentioned above.
Market Expectations
According to market experts, the Federal Reserve is likely to keep the rates unchanged amid ongoing US-Iran war uncertainty. Therefore, investor focus will be on Powell's tone and the statement's language. The table below highlights the current market expectations:
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| Market Expert | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Ajitabh Bharti, Co-founder and Executive Director, CapitalXB | Hold the federal funds rate steady at 3.50%-3.75% |
| Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities | "Higher-for-longer" interest rate environment, with any potential rate cuts likely deferred until there is clearer evidence of durable disinflation |
Market expectations suggest that the Federal Reserve will remain firmly data-dependent, balancing inflation risks with growth considerations. The central bank must navigate two competing risks: that Middle East conflict and elevated energy prices stoke inflation, and that geopolitical uncertainty drags on growth.
Investor Takeaway
Investors are closely monitoring the US Fed meeting for indications on future interest rate trajectory.
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