US Fed meeting October 2026: Date, timing, expectations and where to watch Kevin Warsh-led FOMC interest rate decision

The United States Federal Reserve commenced its two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) session on Tuesday, October 27, concluding on Wednesday, October 28, during which policymakers will announce their interest rate determination.

The FOMC is expected to leave interest rates unchanged, with markets assigning less than a 10% chance of an increase. (via REUTERS)Although market participants anticipate that the central bank will maintain its current interest rate levels, the messaging conveyed through its policy statement and the accompanying press conference will play a pivotal role in shaping market movements.

The FOMC responsible for establishing monetary policy and meeting on eight occasions annually, is set to release its interest rate determination on Wednesday, 29 October. Investors will scrutinize the official statement and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's following media briefing to discern insights regarding the central bank's future policy direction and the likelihood of additional rate increases throughout the remainder of the year.

The Federal Reserve is broadly expected to maintain its primary interest rate within the 3.75%–4% band, while leadership evaluates ongoing inflationary pressures and recent macroeconomic indicators. Based on CME Group figures referenced in materials distributed by Yahoo Finance, financial markets have assigned a probability of under 10% to a rate increase occurring at this session.

The Federal Reserve will release its monetary policy decision at 2 pm Eastern Time (ET) on Wednesday, October 28, followed by a press briefing with Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at 2:30 pm ET, as outlined in the Federal Reserve's official schedule and media guidance.

For observers in India, the policy announcement is set for 11:30 pm IST on Wednesday, October 28, with Warsh's press briefing commencing at 12 am IST on Thursday, October 29. Market participants can access the Federal Reserve's interest rate announcement and Warsh's press briefing via the central bank's official website and its official YouTube channel, which provides live streaming of FOMC proceedings.

You can also watch the press conference live on Fed's official youtube channel and X handler. Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk.

She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives.

She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team.

She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC).

She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh.

She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More