The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter point at the September 16-17, 2025 FOMC meeting, lowering the target range to 4 to 4-1/4 percent. This timeline-focused pack confirms the exact dates, clock times, press conference logistics, and how financial media framed the decision.
Meeting Dates
- September 16-17, 2025 (Tuesday-Wednesday)
- Sixth of eight scheduled 2025 meetings
- Joint session: Sept 16 at 10:30 a.m. ET; Sept 17 at 9:00 a.m. ET
- Adjourned at 10:10 a.m. on Sept 17
- Source: Federal Reserve FOMC Calendar
Rate Decision
- 25 basis point cut (1/4 percentage point)
- New target range: 4 to 4-1/4 percent
- Almost all members agreed
- Rate on reserve balances: 4.15% (effective Sept 18)
- Primary credit rate: 4.25% (effective Sept 18)
- Source: FOMC Statement Sept 17, 2025
Press Conference
- Start time: 2:30 p.m. ET on September 17, 2025
- Duration: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET (per Powell’s calendar)
- Powell characterized cut as “risk management cut”
- Broadcast on Fed’s YouTube channel
- Source: Chair Powell’s September 2025 Calendar
Schedule Context
- 2025 regular meetings: 8 total
- Remaining 2025: Oct 28-29, Dec 9-10
- Minutes released: Oct 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
- Beige Book released Sept 17, 2025
- Sixth meeting of eight in 2025
- Source: Fed Board Calendar Sept 2025
Meeting: Sept 16-17, 2025 | Decision: Sept 17 at 2:00 p.m. ET | Press conference: Sept 17 at 2:30 p.m. ET | Rate cut: 25 basis points | New range: 4 to 4-1/4% | Meeting #: 6 of 8 in 2025
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting dates | September 16-17, 2025 | Federal Reserve FOMC Calendar (Tier 1) |
| Decision time | 2:00 p.m. EDT, September 17, 2025 | FOMC Statement Sept 17, 2025 (Tier 1) |
| Press conference start | 2:30 p.m. ET, September 17, 2025 | Chair Powell’s Calendar Sept 2025 (Tier 1) |
| Rate cut size | 25 basis points (1/4 percentage point) | FOMC Minutes Sept 2025 (Tier 1) |
| New target range | 4 to 4-1/4 percent | FOMC Statement Sept 17, 2025 (Tier 1) |
| Interest on reserve balances | 4.15% (effective Sept 18, 2025) | FOMC Minutes Sept 2025 (Tier 1) |
| Primary credit rate | 4.25% (effective Sept 18, 2025) | FOMC Minutes Sept 2025 (Tier 1) |
| Meeting ordinal in 2025 | 6th of 8 regular meetings | Kiplinger (Tier 2) |
| Minutes release date | October 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. | FOMC Meeting Overview Sept 2025 (Tier 1) |
| Adjournment time | 10:10 a.m. on Sept 17, 2025 | FOMC Minutes Sept 2025 (Tier 1) |
What date is the next Fed interest rate decision?
The next Federal Reserve interest rate decision was released on September 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This followed the FOMC meeting held on September 16-17, 2025. The official Federal Reserve FOMC calendar lists the September meeting dates as September 16-17, 2025.
Where is the official FOMC meeting calendar?
The official FOMC meeting calendar is published on the Federal Reserve Board’s website at federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomccalendars. This page lists all regularly scheduled meetings for the year and is the authoritative source for meeting dates.
How many FOMC meetings are held each year?
The Federal Reserve typically schedules eight regularly scheduled FOMC meetings per year. In 2025, those meetings are: January 28-29, March 18-19, May 6-7, June 17-18, July 29-30, September 16-17, October 28-29, and December 9-10. The September 16-17 meeting was the sixth of these eight gatherings, leaving two more scheduled meetings after September.
What time will the Fed meeting start?
The September 2025 FOMC meeting started on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time and continued on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. on September 17, prior to the statement release and press conference later that day.
What time does the FOMC statement come out?
The FOMC statement was released at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. This standard timing applies to all regularly scheduled two-day FOMC meetings. The statement, implementation note, and projection materials were all released simultaneously at that time.
When does the press conference begin?
Jerome Powell’s press conference began at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on September 17, 2025, immediately following the statement release. Per the Chair’s official calendar, the press conference was scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET.
Will the Fed cut rates in September?
The Federal Reserve did cut rates at the September 2025 meeting. The FOMC voted to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 4 to 4-1/4 percent. The September 2025 FOMC minutes state that almost all members agreed to the cut, confirming broad Committee consensus.
What are the market expectations for a September rate cut?
Market expectations for a quarter-point cut had been building ahead of the September 2025 meeting. A CNBC live blog on September 17, 2025 noted the central bank reduced interest rates by 25 basis points, which aligned with market pricing. Kiplinger’s live blog also confirmed the cut matched market expectations for a modest reduction.
What arguments did Fed officials make for and against a cut?
Chair Powell characterized the September 2025 rate cut as a “risk management cut” during the press conference, citing a cooling labor market and evolving inflation risks. The decision reflected the Committee’s assessment that reducing rates was appropriate to manage downside risks to the economy.
Is the Fed expected to cut rates at all in 2025?
Yes, the September 2025 cut was the first reduction of the year. A CNBC report on the September minutes noted that “around half” of Fed officials saw another two interest rate cuts by the end of 2025, including the quarter percentage point cut approved during the September 16-17 meeting.
Why is Jerome Powell not cutting rates?
While the Fed did cut rates in September 2025, Powell emphasized a cautious approach going forward. He described the September cut as a “risk management cut” during the press conference, signaling that future reductions would depend on economic data.
“The Committee decided to lower the policy interest rate by 1/4 percentage point and to continue reducing securities holdings.”
What is Jerome Powell’s recent public stance on rates?
Powell has consistently emphasized data dependence, stating that the pace and timing of future rate cuts will depend on incoming economic data, particularly regarding inflation and labor market conditions. The “risk management cut” language in September suggested the Committee was balancing risks between acting too soon and too late.
How does inflation data influence the decision?
Inflation data played a key role in the September 2025 decision. Powell noted during the press conference that the Committee was weighing a cooling labor market against evolving inflation risks when deciding on the quarter-point cut.
What role do labor market conditions play?
Labor market conditions were a central factor in the rate decision. Powell cited a “cooling labor market” as a key reason for the “risk management cut,” indicating the Committee was responding to softening employment conditions.
When is the next Fed meeting 2026?
The Federal Reserve has announced meeting dates for part of 2026: July 28-29, September 15-16, October 27-28, and December 8-9. The Fed typically releases the following year’s complete schedule in late summer or early fall.
What are the scheduled FOMC meetings for 2026?
So far, four 2026 meeting dates have been announced: July 28-29, September 15-16, October 27-28, and December 8-9. Additional meetings may be added, and the full 2026 schedule is expected to be published by the Federal Reserve in late 2025 or early 2026.
How far in advance are meeting dates announced?
The Federal Reserve typically announces tentative meeting dates for the following year about 12-18 months in advance. For example, a press release from August 9, 2024 announced tentative dates for the 2025 FOMC schedule.
Key takeaways: The FOMC cut rates by 25 basis points to 4-4.25% at the September 16-17, 2025 meeting. The decision was announced at 2:00 p.m. ET with Powell’s press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET. Powell framed the cut as a “risk management” move amid a cooling labor market, and “around half” of officials saw two more cuts by year-end.
Timeline of Key Events
- July 29-30, 2025: FOMC meeting — rates held at 5.25%-5.50%
- August 2025: CPI and jobs data fuel debate on rate cut timing
- September 16, 2025 (10:30 a.m. ET): FOMC meeting begins
- September 17, 2025 (9:00 a.m. ET): Meeting continues
- September 17, 2025 (10:10 a.m. ET): Meeting adjourns
- September 17, 2025 (2:00 p.m. ET): Rate decision announced: cut by 25 bps to 4-4.25%
- September 17, 2025 (2:30 p.m. ET): Powell press conference begins
- September 18, 2025: Rate on reserve balances (4.15%) and primary credit rate (4.25%) take effect
- October 8, 2025 (2:00 p.m. ET): Meeting minutes released
- October 28-29, 2025: Next scheduled FOMC meeting
- December 9-10, 2025: Final scheduled FOMC meeting of 2025
Confirmed Facts
- Meeting dates: September 16-17, 2025 (Federal Reserve FOMC Calendar)
- Meeting start times: Sept 16 at 10:30 a.m. ET; Sept 17 at 9:00 a.m. ET (FOMC Minutes)
- Meeting adjournment: 10:10 a.m. on Sept 17 (FOMC Minutes)
- Statement release: 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sept 17 (FOMC Statement)
- Press conference start: 2:30 p.m. ET on Sept 17 (Chair Powell’s Calendar)
- Rate cut: 25 basis points (1/4 percentage point) (FOMC Minutes)
- New target range: 4 to 4-1/4 percent (FOMC Statement)
- Rate on reserve balances: 4.15% (effective Sept 18) (FOMC Minutes)
- Primary credit rate: 4.25% (effective Sept 18) (FOMC Minutes)
- Meeting ordinal: 6th of 8 regular meetings in 2025 (Kiplinger)
- Minutes release: October 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. (FOMC Meeting Overview)
Media Coverage and Framing
Financial media outlets provided extensive live coverage of the September 2025 FOMC meeting, with consistent framing around the quarter-point rate cut and Powell’s risk management rationale.
“The central bank reduced interest rates by 25 basis points and Powell characterized it as a ‘risk management cut,’ given a cooling labor market and evolving inflation risks.”
“The central bank cut rates by a quarter-percentage point at the meeting, aligning with market expectations for a modest rate reduction.”
Barron’s live coverage on September 17, 2025 noted that Powell was scheduled to conduct a press briefing at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time after the FOMC announced its rate decision. American Banker’s live coverage framed market expectations that the Federal Reserve would lower rates and highlighted the debate over how large the cut would be before the quarter-point reduction was confirmed.
The pattern across media was clear: the cut was widely anticipated, but Powell’s framing of it as a “risk management” move signaled caution about the pace of future reductions.
Global Audiences and Time Zone Coverage
International media outlets provided time zone conversions for their audiences. An MSN/NDTV Profit article reported that the meeting began at 2:00 p.m. Eastern (11:30 p.m. IST) and that the press conference would be broadcast live on the Fed’s social media channels.
Crypto.com’s explainer on the 2025 FOMC meeting schedule stated that the September 2025 FOMC meeting was on 16 and 17 September, with the policy statement scheduled at 14:00 ET and Powell’s press conference at 14:30 ET on September 17. The guide also noted that major financial news platforms typically stream Powell’s press conferences in real time, in addition to the official Federal Reserve website and YouTube channel.
What this means for readers: The quarter-point cut in September 2025 represents the Fed’s first rate reduction of the year, with Powell signaling caution about future moves. The “risk management cut” framing suggests the Committee is prepared to respond to economic data but remains wary of reigniting inflation.
Uncertainties remaining: The exact vote count and any dissents were not publicly available until the statement was released. The future rate path after September remains data-dependent, and “around half” of officials saw two more cuts by year-end, meaning the other half saw fewer or none. These projections could shift based on incoming economic data.
Related reading: High Yield Online Savings Account: Best Rates, Risks, and Setup
federalreserve.gov, federalreserve.gov, msn.com, federalreserve.gov, barrons.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FOMC meeting schedule for 2025?
The 2025 FOMC meeting schedule includes eight regularly scheduled meetings: January 28-29, March 18-19, May 6-7, June 17-18, July 29-30, September 16-17, October 28-29, and December 9-10. The September 16-17 meeting was the sixth of these eight.
How often does the Fed meet?
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) typically holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year, approximately every six to seven weeks. Additional unscheduled meetings can be called if economic conditions warrant.
What time is the FOMC decision released?
For regularly scheduled two-day FOMC meetings, the policy statement is released at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the second day of the meeting. The Chair’s press conference follows at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time the same day.
Who votes on the FOMC?
The FOMC has 12 voting members: the seven members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining 11 Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year rotating terms. All 19 participants contribute to policy discussions.
How does the Fed decide whether to cut rates?
The Fed’s rate decisions are based on its dual mandate: maximum employment and stable prices (2% inflation). The Committee assesses a range of economic data including inflation, employment, GDP growth, and financial conditions when deciding whether to adjust rates.
What impact does a rate cut have on the economy?
Lower interest rates typically stimulate economic activity by reducing borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, potentially boosting spending, investment, and employment. However, rate cuts can also contribute to higher inflation if the economy is operating near capacity.
Where can I watch the FOMC press conference?
The FOMC press conference is streamed live on the Federal Reserve’s website and YouTube channel. Major financial news networks also carry the press conference live. The full transcript and video are posted on the Fed’s website shortly after the event.
What is the standard Fed protocol for statement release and press conference timing?
The tentative 2025 meeting schedule press release explains that for regularly scheduled FOMC meetings, the Committee releases the policy statement at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the second day and the Chair holds a news conference at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time the same day.