Today is a critical day for the markets as the FOMC meeting takes center stage. The outcome could set the direction for the next major move—either upward or downward. It's wise to remain calm and closely observe the market action. In fact, staying out of trades today might be the most beneficial strategy.

U.S. FOMC Press Conference

Last held: March 19, 2025 at 11:30 PM

Next scheduled: May 7, 2025 at 11:30 PM

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) press conference is one of the Fed's key tools to communicate its monetary policy stance to investors. It explains the reasoning behind recent interest rate decisions and other policy actions, while also offering insights into the economic outlook, including projections for growth and inflation.

Crucially, it hints at the Fed's potential future policy path.

The event lasts about an hour and consists of two parts: a prepared statement followed by a Q&A session with the press. The Q&A often includes unscripted responses that can significantly increase market volatility. The entire conference is streamed live on the Federal Reserve’s official YouTube channel. The practice began in April 2011.