Need to plan my USD positions around the next FOMC meeting but can’t find the exact date anywhere.
Anyone know when they’re announcing the next rate decision? Want to make sure I’m not caught off guard like last time.
Next FOMC meeting is December 17-18, 2024. They announce around 2 PM EST on the second day.
I keep the Fed calendar bookmarked - those meetings can swing USD pairs 100+ pips in minutes. December’s huge since it’s the year’s last meeting.
I close my USD positions a few hours before unless I’m trading the volatility. Learned that one the hard way in 2022 when Powell’s comments torched my EUR/USD trade.
December 18 at 2 PM is when to watch
Fed meetings happen roughly every 6 weeks. Check their website under monetary policy for the exact calendar. Big institutions start hedging a few days before, so you’ll see position shifts early. If you’re holding USD during a meeting, size down. The real action happens 30 minutes after the decision during the press conference - not when they first announce.
Fed calendar’s on their website, but I also track the CME FedWatch tool. Shows what the market expects for rate changes before each meeting.
Real volatility kicks in about 4 hours before the announcement. I’ve watched EUR/USD jump 50 pips just from people positioning ahead of meetings.
If you’re trading through it, watch the 10-minute chart right after 2 PM. That initial spike usually reverses within 15 minutes, then the real move happens during Powell’s press conference.
Don’t forget about the Summary of Economic Projections in December. That can move markets more than the actual rate decision.
The Fed meets 8 times a year. Check their site for the schedule to plan your USD trades.
I set alerts the day before FOMC meetings. The market usually starts moving before they even announce anything.
December’s the big one since that’s when the dot plot comes out and can totally shift next year’s expectations. The volatility from that usually drags on way longer than you’d think.
If you’re not planning to trade the event, just size down your positions that week.