FOMC Meeting Dates 2026
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets 8 times per year and sets US interest rates — the most market-moving event in global finance. Every FOMC decision ripples through gold prices, the US dollar, and GCC forex rates within minutes. Here's the full 2026 schedule and what to watch.
FOMC 2026 Meeting Schedule
The Federal Reserve publishes the FOMC meeting schedule annually. For 2026, the 8 scheduled meetings are:
| Date | Type | Notes |
|------|------|-------|
| January 28–29 | Regular | First meeting of year — sets tone |
| March 18–19 | Regular + Press Conference | Quarterly SEP (dot plot) released |
| May 6–7 | Regular | Often a "steady" meeting |
| June 17–18 | Regular + Press Conference | Quarterly SEP + dot plot |
| July 29–30 | Regular | Summer meeting |
| September 16–17 | Regular + Press Conference | Quarterly SEP — most-watched |
| October 28–29 | Regular | Pre-election/holiday timing |
| December 9–10 | Regular + Press Conference | Year-end — projections for next year |
Press Conference meetings (marked above): Held quarterly. Fed Chair reads a statement and takes questions. These have the highest market impact because the Chair can signal future moves.
SEP (Summary of Economic Projections): Published at quarterly meetings. Includes the "dot plot" showing each FOMC member's interest rate forecast. A more hawkish dot plot (higher expected rates) = bearish for gold, bullish for USD.
How FOMC Decisions Move Gold and Forex
Scenario 1 — Rate Cut (or cut signal): Gold surges. USD weakens. AED-pegged currencies remain stable but gold in AED rises. INR/PKR/IDR typically strengthen against USD slightly.
Scenario 2 — Rate Hold + Hawkish Statement: Gold falls on "higher for longer" message. USD strengthens. Gold in AED falls in line with USD gold.
Scenario 3 — Rate Hold + Dovish Statement: Similar to a rate cut signal — gold rallies, USD softens.
The "buy the rumor, sell the news" pattern: Markets price in expected moves before the meeting. If 80% of the market expects a 25bp cut and the Fed delivers exactly 25bp, the initial market reaction may be muted or even reverse (sell-the-news).
What UAE traders watch specifically:
1. Gold (XAU/USD): Direct and immediate reaction within minutes of announcement
2. USD/AED: Fixed (no move), but gold in AED moves with gold in USD
3. USD/INR, USD/PKR: These can move 0.5–1% on FOMC day
4. Oil price: Oil reacts to FOMC via the dollar channel — weaker dollar post-cut = oil in USD often rises
Timing: FOMC statement released at 14:00 ET (Washington DC time) = 22:00 UAE time (GST). Press conference at 14:30 ET = 22:30 UAE. Trade the night session from UAE.
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