Fed Meeting: What’s the Big Deal? (Spoiler: It’s 2 PM)

The Federal Reserve’s FOMC meeting, a ritual as ancient as the pyramids and just as likely to end in a flurry of panic, concludes today with the rate decision at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:30 p.m. IST), followed by Chair Jerome Powell speaking at 2:30 p.m. ET (12:00 a.m. IST). The Fed is expected to hold rates at 3.50%-3.75%, because obviously, the universe can’t handle more than a 0.25% increase. Markets will focus on Powell’s comments on inflation, jobs, and global tensions-because nothing says “economic stability” like a man in a suit explaining why the sky is falling. Earlier, February’s PPI data at 8:30 a.m. ET may also influence sentiment and market reactions, because apparently, the stock market needs more reasons to hyperventilate.

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2026-03-18 14:17