US Federal Reserve meeting date and time today: Where to watch FOMC interest rate decision and Fed chair Jerome Powell’s speech
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The US Federal Reserve is set to announce its interest rate decision later tonight, Wednesday, December 10, following the two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
What time is the US Federal Reserve rate decision in IST?
The repo rate outcome will be declared at 11:30 PM Indian Standard Time, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference scheduled at midnight IST, Thursday.
Is the Fed expected to cut interest rates today?
The US central bank is almost certain to trim its benchmark interest rate on Wednesday, taking it to about 3.6%, the lowest in nearly three years. While this would mark the third consecutive cut, markets are more focused on the signals Chair Jerome Powell may offer on the road ahead.
For households burdened by costly home and vehicle loans, the easing could bring gradual relief, although mortgage rates remain tied to market forces.
The outlook for 2026 is increasingly uncertain. A prolonged government shutdown has stalled key jobs and inflation data, leaving policymakers with an incomplete picture.
With Powell’s tenure ending in May, President Donald Trump hinted at Kevin Hassett, a consistent advocate of lower rates.
Deep divisions persist within the rate-setting panel as inflation stays elevated at 2.8%. Fresh data by January will be decisive.
Where to watch or follow the Fed decision and Powell speech?
CNBC-TV18 live blog for real-time updates, insights, and commentary
The official website of the Federal Reserve
How will the Fed decision affect Indian markets?
A rate cut could boost global liquidity and foreign inflows, supporting Sensex and Nifty, though the rupee and bond yields will also be in focus.
Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty declined for the third straight day on Wednesday to close at a nearly month’s low, dragged by a last-hour selloff in consumer durables, private banks and IT shares.
In a volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex dropped by 275.01 points, or 0.32 per cent, to settle at 84,391.27, a level not seen since November 11. During the day, it hit an intraday high of 85,020.34 and a low of 84,313.62.
The 50-share NSE Nifty fell by 81.65 points, or 0.32 per cent, to close at a month’s low of 25,758. In the intraday session, it hit a high of 25,947.65 and a low of 25,734.55.
“Indian markets mirrored global caution, weighed down by persistent FII outflows, INR weakness, and uncertainty surrounding US-India trade negotiations despite ongoing discussions. In the near term, market direction will be influenced by central bank cues and clarity on trade developments,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Ltd, said.
“Focus now shifts to the upcoming U.S. Fed meeting, where a 25 basis points rate cut is widely expected. However, internal divisions and mixed economic indicators may temper expectations for further rate cuts in 2026,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee depreciated 9 paise to close at 89.96 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, tracking a negative trend in domestic equities and sustained foreign fund outflows.
Forex traders said investors are in a wait-and-watch mode, awaiting clarity from the US Federal Reserve before taking decisive positions.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.09% lower at 99.12.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 0.26% higher at USD 62.10 per barrel in futures trade.
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