#FOMCMeeting

The **Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)** is the branch of the U.S. Federal Reserve responsible for setting monetary policy, primarily through interest rate decisions and open market operations. The FOMC holds **eight scheduled meetings per year** to assess economic conditions, inflation, and employment trends.

During these meetings, policymakers debate whether to **raise, lower, or maintain the federal funds rate**, influencing borrowing costs, consumer spending, and investment. The FOMC also issues a **policy statement** and economic projections, followed by a press conference by the Fed Chair.

Markets closely watch FOMC meetings for signals on future policy shifts, as they impact stocks, bonds, and the dollar. Recent discussions have focused on **balancing inflation control with economic growth**, especially after aggressive rate hikes in 2022-2023. The Fed's decisions aim to achieve **maximum employment and stable prices .