What time does Fed announce rate decision? The Federal Reserve is scheduled to release its September 2026 monetary-policy decision at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 16, with the Fed chair’s press conference beginning 30 minutes later.
The timing is important for U.S. readers watching markets, borrowing costs and monetary policy. The Federal Open Market Committee is meeting on September 15 and 16, and the second day carries the official policy announcement.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the decision has not yet been released. The scheduled announcement remains 2:00 p.m. ET.
September Fed Decision: Exact Time
The Federal Reserve’s official calendar places the September FOMC announcement at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The schedule is consistent with the central bank’s established timetable for regularly scheduled two-day meetings. The policy statement comes on the second day, followed by a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.
For Americans in different time zones, the announcement arrives at these local times:
| U.S. Time Zone | Rate Decision | Press Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 2:00 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
| Central | 1:00 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. |
| Mountain | 12:00 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
| Pacific | 11:00 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. |
The schedule means West Coast viewers will receive the decision before lunchtime, while viewers on the East Coast can expect it during the afternoon.
What Happens at 2:00 p.m.?
At 2:00 p.m. ET, the FOMC releases its monetary-policy statement.
The document contains the committee’s decision on the target range for the federal funds rate. It also describes the committee’s assessment of economic conditions and the considerations shaping monetary policy.
The September meeting is marked with an asterisk on the annual FOMC calendar because it is one of the meetings accompanied by a Summary of Economic Projections.
That material provides additional information about policymakers’ expectations for the economy and interest rates. It can give readers a broader view of how officials assess inflation, employment and the future path of monetary policy.
The initial statement remains the first official release of the day’s decision.
The 2:30 p.m. Press Conference
Thirty minutes after the policy statement, the Federal Reserve chair holds a press conference.
The event gives journalists an opportunity to ask questions about the committee’s decision and the economic outlook. The chair’s answers can provide additional context beyond the language contained in the written statement.
For people following the announcement closely, the two times are therefore distinct:
- 2:00 p.m. ET: FOMC policy statement
- 2:00 p.m. ET: September economic projections
- 2:30 p.m. ET: Federal Reserve chair’s press conference
Anyone interested only in the rate decision does not need to wait for the press conference. The formal policy statement arrives first.
Why September’s Meeting Matters
The September meeting is one of eight regularly scheduled FOMC meetings on the 2026 calendar.
Unlike every meeting, September is associated with updated economic projections. Those projections can add important detail to the policy announcement by showing how officials view economic conditions and the likely policy environment.
The projections are separate from the actual rate decision. They should therefore be read as policymakers’ economic and interest-rate assessments rather than as a guaranteed path for future decisions.
The committee can change its policy at future meetings as economic information develops.
What Is the Fed Watching?
The Federal Reserve’s monetary-policy decisions center on its dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices.
Economic data available before a meeting can influence the discussion among policymakers. Inflation readings, labor-market conditions, economic activity and financial conditions all form part of the broader policy picture.
The federal funds rate is the Fed’s primary short-term policy rate. Changes to its target range can influence other interest rates throughout the U.S. economy, although consumer and business borrowing rates do not move automatically by the same amount.
Mortgage rates, credit-card rates, auto loans and other financial products are affected by different market forces and pricing mechanisms.
What Was the Rate Range Entering the Meeting?
The federal funds target range entering the September meeting was 3.50% to 3.75%.
The effective federal funds rate was reported at 3.63% on September 14, according to the latest daily rate data available before the announcement.
The September decision will determine whether the target range changes or remains at its existing level.
The official statement at 2:00 p.m. will provide the definitive answer.
How the Announcement Can Affect Markets
The Fed announcement is closely watched because monetary policy influences financial conditions across the U.S. economy.
Investors monitor the statement for changes in the policy rate as well as language describing inflation, employment and economic risks.
Treasury yields, stocks, currencies and other financial assets can respond rapidly when new monetary-policy information reaches the market.
The economic projections released alongside the September decision can also attract significant attention. Market participants examine changes in policymakers’ expectations and compare them with existing financial-market pricing.
The press conference adds another layer of information. Questions from reporters can focus attention on issues that may receive less emphasis in the written statement.
When Is the Next Scheduled FOMC Meeting?
The FOMC’s 2026 calendar shows another two-day meeting on October 27–28.
The next meeting associated with a Summary of Economic Projections is scheduled for December 8–9.
The Federal Reserve releases its policy statement at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the second day of regularly scheduled meetings. The chair’s press conference follows at 2:30 p.m.
That pattern makes the calendar useful for anyone tracking future Fed announcements.
How to Watch the September Announcement
Readers looking for the official decision should focus on the Federal Reserve’s scheduled 2:00 p.m. ET release.
The sequence is straightforward. The FOMC completes its two-day meeting, publishes its policy statement and economic projections, and then holds the press conference.
For U.S. audiences, the local times are:
- New York and other Eastern locations: 2:00 p.m.
- Chicago and Central locations: 1:00 p.m.
- Denver and Mountain locations: 12:00 p.m.
- Los Angeles and Pacific locations: 11:00 a.m.
The press conference begins exactly 30 minutes after each corresponding local announcement time.
The Answer in One Line
For anyone searching what time does Fed announce rate decision, the September 2026 FOMC decision is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 16, followed by the chair’s press conference at 2:30 p.m.
The September meeting also includes updated economic projections, giving readers additional information to examine alongside the rate decision.
The next scheduled FOMC meeting is set for October 27–28, while December 8–9 brings another meeting accompanied by economic projections.
Stay with the official 2:00 p.m. ET release for the confirmed September decision and the latest developments from the Federal Reserve.