#FOMCMeeting

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the monetary policymaking body of the U.S. Federal Reserve System. Comprising 12 members—including the seven members of the Board of Governors and five of the 12 Reserve Bank presidents—the FOMC meets eight times a year to assess economic conditions and determine appropriate monetary policy actions. 

The FOMC’s primary tool is setting the target range for the federal funds rate, which influences short-term interest rates and, consequently, borrowing costs, consumer spending, and investment decisions. Additionally, the committee conducts open market operations, buying or selling U.S. government securities to adjust the money supply. 

In its upcoming meeting scheduled for May 6–7, 2025, the FOMC is expected to maintain the federal funds rate at 4.25%–4.5%, unchanged since January. Despite pressures from President Trump and some investors advocating for rate cuts to stimulate economic growth, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has indicated a cautious approach, emphasizing the need to control inflation amid economic uncertainties, including the impact of recent tariffs.