The US Federal Reserve (Fed) kept its policy interest rate unchanged in the first meeting of the year, keeping it at 4.25-4.50 percent, in line with expectations. Those closely following the economic agenda are now focused on the date of the meeting where the second interest rate decision of the year will be made. So, when will the FED interest rate decision be announced? In March 2020, the Fed lowered the policy interest rate to the range of 0-0.25% due to concerns about the economic effects of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and resorted to monetary expansion. With the latest decision, the Bank put a pause to the consecutive interest rate cuts it made in 3 meetings last year.

WHEN IS THE FED MEETING? The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has announced the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting schedule for 2025. The upcoming Fed meeting will take place on March 18-19, and the interest rate decision will be announced at 10:00 PM GMT on March 19.

THE LATEST DECISION OF THE FED The US Federal Reserve (Fed) kept its policy interest rate unchanged at 4.25-4.50 percent, in accordance with expectations. According to the announcement by the Fed, the decision to keep the interest rate steady was taken unanimously. The announcement stated that the federal funds rate target range was kept between 4.25-4.50% to support the bank’s objectives. The statement mentioned that recent indicators showed that economic activity continued to expand at a solid pace, the unemployment rate had stabilized at a low level in recent months, and labor market conditions remained strong. It was noted in the announcement that inflation continued to remain somewhat high. Notably, the Fed’s monetary policy decision text removed the statement seen in previous announcements regarding “progress towards the 2 percent inflation target.”