#FOMCMeeting The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is currently underway, scheduled for May 6-7, 2025. The FOMC holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year, and these meetings play a crucial role in shaping the country's monetary policy.

*Key Aspects of FOMC Meetings:*

- *Monetary Policy Decisions*: The FOMC makes decisions on interest rates, specifically the federal funds rate, which affects the availability and cost of money and credit.

- *Economic Projections*: Committee members discuss and release their economic projections, providing insights into the future direction of the economy.

- *Policy Statement*: After each meeting, the FOMC releases a statement outlining its policy decisions and the reasoning behind them.

*Impact on Financial Markets:*

- *Stock Market*: FOMC decisions can significantly impact stock prices, as changes in interest rates influence borrowing costs and consumer spending. For example, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices have shown volatility around FOMC meetings, with the S&P 500 currently at $5,616.10 and the Nasdaq at $19,801.20.

- *Interest Rates*: Changes in the federal funds rate can affect various interest rates, including mortgage rates, credit card rates, and bond yields.

The minutes of the FOMC meeting will be released three weeks after the meeting date.