#FOMCMeeting The **Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)** is the branch of the U.S. Federal Reserve responsible for setting monetary policy, primarily through decisions about interest rates and asset purchases. Here's a concise overview:

### Key Details:

1. **Purpose**:

- Influence economic growth, employment, and inflation to achieve the Fed’s dual mandate: **maximum employment** and **price stability** (2% inflation target).

2. **Meetings**:

- Held **8 times per year** (approximately every 6 weeks).

- Meetings include discussions on economic data, risks, and policy tools like the federal funds rate.

3. **Recent Focus (2023–2024)**:

- **Interest Rates**: The FOMC has raised rates aggressively since 2022 to combat high inflation, though hikes paused in late 2023 as inflation cooled.

- **Balance Sheet Reduction**: Continuing to shrink holdings of Treasury and mortgage-backed securities (quantitative tightening).

4. **Current Stance**:

- Rates remain at a 23-year high (5.25%–5.5% as of July 2024).

- Data-dependent approach: Future decisions hinge on inflation trends, labor market conditions, and economic growth.

5. **Market Impact**:

- FOMC decisions affect borrowing costs (e.g., mortgages, loans), stock/bond markets, and currency exchange rates.

- Statements and press conferences (notably by Chair Jerome Powell) are scrutinized for hints about future policy.

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If you’re asking about a **specific meeting** (e.g., dates, outcomes, or analysis), let me know! For example:

- The July 2024 meeting maintained rates but hinted at potential cuts later in the year.

- March 2024 projections suggested 3 rate cuts in 2024, pending inflation progress.

Would you like deeper details on a particular topic?