The Federal Reserve announces rate cuts (or hikes/holds) as part of its regular interest rate decisions after scheduled policy meetings. These announcements are not on-demand; they occur on a fixed calendar.

When rate cuts are announced

The Fed announces any change to interest rates at the conclusion of each scheduled Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which typically happens eight times per year, about every six weeks. At each of these meetings the Fed can choose to cut, raise, or leave rates unchanged, and the announcement covers whichever decision it takes.

Typical time of day

The interest rate decision is typically released at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the final day of the FOMC meeting. About 30 minutes later, the Fed Chair holds a press conference to explain the decision and provide guidance on the outlook for future moves, including potential further cuts.

How to know the next date

The FOMC publishes its full yearly schedule in advance, listing the two-day meeting windows (for example, dates in January, March, May, June, July, September, October, and December). The next possible rate cut would therefore be announced at 2:00 p.m. Eastern on the last day of whichever upcoming meeting is on that public calendar.