The Fed releases its latest interest rate decision Wednesday. Here’s what to expect

• Judging by market expectations and policymakers’ comments, there’s virtually no chance the Fed will change its benchmark interest rate when its meeting concludes Wednesday.
• The near-term stance likely will be one of patience as a series of cuts made last year work their way through the economy.
• However, the market focus most certainly will look beyond the interest rate decision and future guidance and into an unprecedented web of intrigue that surrounds the meeting.

This week’s Federal Reserve meeting offers little suspense and probably not much action, even as massive changes loom over the central bank’s longer-term direction.

Judging by market expectations and policymakers’ comments, there’s virtually no chance the Fed will change its benchmark interest rate when the meeting ends Wednesday.

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/fed-preview-january-2026.html