US Fed meeting today: When and where to watch Jerome Powell-led FOMC press conference?

The Federal Reserve's Jerome Powell is set to announce the FOMC's policy decision today at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Updated on: Mar 18, 2026 11:20 PM IST

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The Chair of the US Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, is scheduled to reveal the results of the two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting today. He is anticipated to speak to the press following the meeting to reveal the policy decision.

The Federal Reserve's Jerome Powell will disclose the FOMC meeting outcomes today, with a press conference scheduled at 2:00 p.m. ET. This meeting is notable due to recent global market turmoil from conflicts involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran. (REUTERS)

FOMC meeting March 2026: When will Jerome Powell declare Fed rate cut decision?

The FOMC, responsible for setting rates, is set to meet for a two-day session on March 17-18, 2026. This meeting holds particular importance as it marks the first since the intensification of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has caused turmoil in global markets.

The policy announcement is planned for 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on March 18, following which Powell will hold a press conference.

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Fed meeting today: Here's when and where to watch Powell's speech

After the policy statement is released, Powell will conduct a press conference to explain the decision and respond to inquiries from journalists. This event will be streamed live via official Federal Reserve channels, which include: The central bank's official website, its YouTube channel and verified social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter).

Know about Fed cuts

Currently, the Federal Reserve's benchmark interest rate is positioned within the range of 3.5% to 3.75%. Earlier this year, the central bank opted to pause any changes to the rate after executing three consecutive quarter-percentage-point reductions.

Prior to this, it had declared three successive rate cuts of 0.25% each, aiming to avert a further decline in the job market that could lead to increased unemployment.

Market analysts predict that the US Federal Reserve is expected to maintain the interest rate at its current level during the forthcoming FOMC meeting in March 2026, as market conditions remain sensitive to fluctuations in oil prices due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

Moreover, the job growth in US in February fell significantly short of economists' expectations. Last month, the U.S. lost 92,000 nonfarm jobs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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