LIVE: US Fed meeting today - Check time in India of FOMC decision outcome announcement | Rate hike tonight?

US Fed Meeting LIVE: With less than 12 hours to go before the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announces its policy decision, all eyes are on whether the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again after September or maintain the status quo.

For Indian investors, Wednesday night is set to be eventful, with global markets bracing for the Fed’s policy announcement at 11:30 pm IST, followed by Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s press conference at midnight.

US Fed meeting date and time

The Federal Reserve's two-day meeting commenced on October 27, 2026, and is scheduled to end on October 28. The 12-member committee will announce its interest rate decision at 11:30 PM IST (2:00 PM ET).

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh is expected to address the media shortly after the announcement. His press conference is scheduled to begin at approximately 12:00 AM IST (2:30 PM ET), giving Indian viewers an opportunity to follow the central bank's assessment of the economy and its policy outlook.

US Fed rate in focus

After maintaining an extended pause, the US central bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points in September 2026. This was its first rate increase since 2023 and the first under Fed Chair Kevin Warsh.

Despite persistent inflation, supported by elevated energy and grocery prices, markets anticipate that policymakers will keep borrowing costs unchanged at Wednesday's meeting. The approaching US midterm elections, which are just six days away, have also contributed to expectations of a pause, as central banks generally avoid significant policy changes immediately before an election.

More rate hikes ahead?

However, the prospect of another rate increase has not disappeared. Economists believe the Fed could tighten monetary policy again in December if economic indicators continue to show stronger-than-expected conditions.

According to the CME Group's FedWatch Tool, traders are pricing in an 83% probability of a US interest rate hike in December. For this week's meeting, futures markets indicate a nearly 90% probability that the Fed will maintain its existing federal funds rate range of 3.75%-4.00%.

Meanwhile, September's inflation figures came in higher than expected, adding to the challenges facing the Federal Reserve as it considers its next policy move.

Impact on Indian Markets

The market is likely to remain cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision, with investors closely tracking the inflation outlook and signals on the future trajectory of interest rates. The expectation is that the Fed will keep rates unchanged in October, but the key focus will be on its commentary and the possibility of further tightening in December. Persistent inflation and elevated energy prices could limit the scope for monetary easing.

The Nifty 50 declined 0.22% to close at 22,698.85, while the Sensex fell 0.48% to 73,246.03. Both indices had dropped more than 1% during the trading session.

Check key updates from US Federal Reserve meeting here

Follow updates here:

28 Oct 2026, 06:04:04 PM IST

US Fed meeting announcement today live updates: The Fed's announcement is set to come less than a week before the midterm elections, which have focused heavily on concerns around the cost of living and affordability. Elevated inflation has also emerged as a major cause of concern.

28 Oct 2026, 05:42:33 PM IST

US Fed meeting announcement today live updates: Key policymakers have hinted that they are in now hurry to vote for a rate hike immediately after September. "I would be very surprised if they raised interest rates just for starters so close to the election, but also given that so many of them have signaled that they're happy for a pause," AFP quoted Wendy Edelberg, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

28 Oct 2026, 05:37:37 PM IST

US Fed Meeting Today Live Updates: US consumer inflation not only remained elevated in September, but came higher than expectations. Inflation came in at 3.7% in September as it edged back towards a three-year high established in May. However, Fed policymakers, including Chair Warsh, have signalled that they do not see any urgency to raise rates again immediately. Speaking in Bangkok earlier this month, Warsh said that US economic conditions had "broadly conformed" to policymakers' expectations, fueling speculation that the Fed may pause at the October meeting.

28 Oct 2026, 05:00:02 PM IST

US Fed Meeting Today Live Updates: Policymakers voted at their last meeting in September to raise interest rates in the range between 3.75 and 4.00 percent, which marked as the first hike in three years.

28 Oct 2026, 04:38:37 PM IST

Hariselvan Radhakrishnan, Founder and CEO of HST Wealth, said the Fed's guidance would matter more to markets than the rate decision itself.

“The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold rates unchanged, making its guidance more important than the decision itself. A hawkish signal could lift yields and restrain emerging-market flows, while balanced guidance may allow the overnight improvement in global risk appetite to continue,” Radhakrishnan said.

28 Oct 2026, 04:30:38 PM IST

For Indian investors, the Fed's policy decision is expected at 11:30 pm IST on Wednesday, 28 October, assuming the standard 2:00 pm ET announcement time. The press conference would follow at 12:00 midnight IST on 29 October.

Investors can watch US Fed chairman Kevin Warsh’s press conference address via the official live stream on the US Federal Reserve’s website: https://www.federalreserve.gov/

28 Oct 2026, 04:19:24 PM IST

Global stock markets traded mixed on Wednesday after gains in AI-related stocks lifted Wall Street, while rising oil prices renewed concerns over supply disruptions following an attack on a major Saudi Arabian refinery.

Oil prices climbed more than 1% after Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked the refinery on Tuesday, reviving worries about potential disruptions to global supplies.

In early European trading, Germany's DAX fell 0.2% to 25,539.36, while France's CAC 40 declined 0.1% to 7,882.52. The UK's FTSE 100 dropped 0.4% to 10,645.50.

US stock futures were mixed. Futures tied to the S&P 500 edged up 0.1%, while those tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%.

28 Oct 2026, 04:07:42 PM IST

Indian benchmark indices ended lower on Wednesday as rising crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment, while Jio Platforms grabbed the spotlight following its blockbuster stock market debut. The listing propelled the telecom and digital services company to the position of India's second-most valuable company by market capitalisation, behind its parent, Reliance Industries.

Jio Platforms shares surged around 27% to ₹1,417.50 on the NSE, taking its valuation to $137.31 billion.

Globally, investors remained focused on the US Federal Reserve's policy decision due later on Wednesday. A Reuters poll of economists indicated that the central bank was likely to keep interest rates unchanged before potentially resuming monetary tightening in December amid persistent inflationary pressures.

28 Oct 2026, 03:49:41 PM IST

China and Hong Kong stocks rebounded on Wednesday, snapping a two-session losing streak as artificial intelligence (AI)-related shares tracked a broader rally across Asian markets. The gains came ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision, with investors monitoring the central bank's outlook for interest rates. Optimism also received a boost from upbeat earnings reported by South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix, lifting sentiment towards semiconductor and AI-linked stocks.

At the close, China's benchmark CSI300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.9% each. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index rose 0.2%, while the technology-heavy Hang Seng Tech Index advanced 1.4%.

28 Oct 2026, 03:20:02 PM IST

Despite recent weakness, gold could be approaching an accumulation zone, according to Renisha Chainani of Augmont. Over the medium term, spanning the next two to three months, prices are expected to establish a base between $3,950 and $4,000. Chainani views this range as strong support and anticipates a potential rebound of 10-15% over the coming weeks. However, gold must sustain above $4,100 for its broader uptrend to resume. Traders will need to watch these technical levels closely while assessing the impact of monetary policy on bullion.

28 Oct 2026, 02:56:26 PM IST

Gold prices have slipped below the crucial $4,000 per ounce mark, opening the possibility of a further decline towards $3,950, or approximately ₹1,40,000. Renisha Chainani, Chief Research Officer at Augmont, identified the breach as an important development for bullion traders. The metal's near-term direction will depend on how prices behave around this lower threshold. Investors are also monitoring the US Federal Reserve's policy announcement and upcoming inflation data for signals that could influence gold's next move.

28 Oct 2026, 02:36:56 PM IST

The US Treasury market faces an uncertain outlook despite expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged this week. Persistent inflation, rising government borrowing and concerns about artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments are weighing on investor sentiment.

According to Reuters, US government bonds have recovered recently after a sharp sell-off pushed yields higher for nearly two months from August. The rebound has come amid concerns about financing challenges in parts of the AI infrastructure sector, raising questions about the sustainability of the investment boom that has become an important driver of the US economy.

The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield has risen 84 basis points in 2026, putting it on track for its biggest annual increase since 2022. Meanwhile, yields on 30-year Treasuries have climbed nearly 50 basis points this year, marking their largest annual increase since 2024.

28 Oct 2026, 02:06:39 PM IST

The US labour market presents a complicated picture for the Federal Reserve. Layoffs have remained near their lowest levels since the late 1960s, but job seekers are finding it increasingly difficult to secure employment. This low-hiring, low-firing environment complicates the central bank’s assessment of economic strength. While inflation remains above target, policymakers must also consider whether restrictive financial conditions are weakening employment opportunities. Any further interest rate increases could put additional pressure on businesses and hiring, making labour market conditions a key consideration in determining the pace of future monetary tightening.

28 Oct 2026, 01:51:46 PM IST

Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday after rising around 1% in the previous session, as surging crude oil prices fuelled inflation concerns ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy announcement. Spot gold fell 0.7% to $4,030.20 per ounce by 0602 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery declined 0.8% to $4,043. Investors are closely watching the Fed’s decision and commentary for clues about the future interest rate trajectory. Higher energy prices could keep inflation elevated, influencing expectations for monetary policy and the outlook for non-yielding assets such as gold.

28 Oct 2026, 01:34:40 PM IST

US inflation continues to pose a challenge for policymakers, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 3.7% annually in September. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, stood at 2.6%, up 0.3 percentage points from August. Both readings remain above the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target, complicating its efforts to bring price pressures under control. Rising energy costs have contributed to the latest inflationary pressures, leaving policymakers with limited room to ease monetary conditions without risking further increases in prices

28 Oct 2026, 01:19:52 PM IST

Indian markets are likely to remain cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement, with investors watching for signals on the future direction of US interest rates.

"For Indian equities, the direction of US bond yields and the dollar will be important transmission channels. A hawkish stance could keep global financial conditions tight, weigh on emerging-market flows and create near-term volatility in the Nifty. Conversely, a more balanced assessment of inflation and growth could support risk appetite. With the US midterm elections approaching, markets will also be sensitive to policy uncertainty and geopolitical developments. Investors should therefore focus less on the immediate rate decision and more on what it signals for the global cost of capital and liquidity over the coming months," said Thomas J Priju, Portfolio Manager, Karma Capital.

28 Oct 2026, 12:47:54 PM IST

Although the Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady, investors will look for clues in Kevin Warsh’s commentary on inflation and the possibility of another hike in December. With elevated oil prices and persistent inflation complicating the policy outlook, the central bank’s assessment of economic conditions will be crucial in determining its next move. The November 3 US midterm elections add to the uncertainty surrounding the decision.

28 Oct 2026, 12:38:04 PM IST

Although markets expect the Fed to hold rates steady in October, the possibility of another increase in December remains on the table.

According to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, traders are pricing in an 83% probability of a rate hike in December. For Wednesday’s meeting, futures markets indicate a nearly 90% probability that the Fed will maintain its existing 3.75%-4.00% target range.

28 Oct 2026, 12:31:08 PM IST

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, October 28, as policymakers weigh persistent inflation, rising oil prices and the approaching US midterm elections.

The anticipated pause follows the central bank’s 25-basis-point rate hike in September, its first increase in more than three years. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) unanimously approved the move, taking the federal funds rate target range to 3.75%-4.00%.

Global markets will also track upcoming monetary policy decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan later this week.

28 Oct 2026, 12:26:52 PM IST

September's inflation figures came in higher than expected, adding to the challenges facing the Federal Reserve as it considers its next policy move. Despite the hotter-than-anticipated reading, markets expect the central bank to keep interest rates steady while assessing the persistence of price pressures.

Meanwhile, US consumer confidence improved unexpectedly in October, rising for the first time in four months, according to data released on Tuesday. The increase reflected more positive assessments of labour market conditions and the business environment.

The latest consumer confidence reading exceeded every forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists, offering another indicator for policymakers to consider as they weigh inflation risks against the broader economic outlook.

Pranati Deva is a seasoned financial journalist with over a decade of experience in high-pressure newsroom environments, currently working as a Senior Sub Editor at LiveMint. Over the years, she has developed a reputation for sharp editorial judgement, a strong grasp of market dynamics, and the ability to translate complex financial developments into clear, engaging stories for a wide audience. <br><br> Her core areas of coverage include stock markets, leading listed companies, currencies, and commodities, with a particular strength in fast-paced, real-time market reporting. She is known for handling breaking market news, earnings-driven stock movements, and macroeconomic developments with speed, accuracy, and context—qualities that are essential in financial journalism. <br><br> Pranati has built a diverse and credible professional track record across some of India’s most respected news organisations, including MintGenie, CNBC-TV18, Business Standard and EconomicTimes.com. During her stints at these platforms, she produced data-driven market stories, curated and steered live blogs during volatile trading sessions, and conducted interviews with market veterans, fund managers, economists, and industry experts. Her work often combines on-ground reporting with analytical depth, helping readers make sense of daily market fluctuations and longer-term trends. An alumnus of the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communications and Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Pranati brings a strong academic foundation to her journalism. She specialises in real-time financial reporting, with a keen focus on precision, balance, and insight, aiming to decode market movements in a way that is both informative and accessible to readers across experience levels.

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