#FOMCMeeting What it is: The FOMC is the monetary policymaking body of the U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve. They meet eight times a year to discuss the economic outlook and set monetary policy.

* Key topics: The primary focus is on interest rates (specifically the federal funds rate), which influence borrowing costs across the economy. They also discuss inflation, employment, and overall economic conditions.

* Impact: The decisions and statements from FOMC meetings have a significant impact on financial markets (stocks, bonds, currencies), business investment, and consumer spending. Even small changes in language can cause market volatility.

* Next Meeting: The next FOMC meeting concludes on June 18, 2025. Markets are closely watching for any signals on potential interest rate cuts, especially given current inflation and employment data. The Fed will also release its "dot plot," which shows where officials expect interest rates to be in the future.