Federal Reserve expected to hold interest rates steady at April 29 meeting
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 24
Federal Reserve expected to hold interest rates steady at April 29 meeting
13 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 24
The meeting may be Jerome Powell’s final as Fed chair, with Kevin Warsh possibly succeeding him by June.
Traders will closely watch the Fed’s interpretation of recent economic data and the ongoing impact of the war in Iran. Major tech firms, including Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, will report earnings the same day.
The week also features key economic releases, central bank decisions globally, and high-profile events such as King Charles’s U.S. visit and President Trump’s appearances at major gatherings.
Will this week's tech earnings prove the AI boom is real or just an overvalued bubble?
Can King Charles's historic address to Congress successfully strengthen the US-UK alliance amid global uncertainty?
As tariffs fuel inflation, how can the Federal Reserve control prices without triggering a recession?
With consumer spending slowing, are we seeing the end of the post-pandemic economic expansion?
Is Bill Ackman's ambitious dual IPO the future model for public investment firms?
Federal Reserve Holds Rates at 3.50%-3.75% Amid Iran Conflict and Inflation Surge
Overview
In April 2026, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 3.50% to 3.75%, balancing persistent inflation and geopolitical uncertainty from the Iran conflict. The war disrupted oil supplies, causing prices to spike and fueling inflation, which raised short-term inflation expectations and increased concerns about job security. This created a difficult policy choice: maintain high rates to control inflation or cut rates to support the economy. High borrowing costs continue to strain consumers and the housing market, while AI investments support moderate growth. Meanwhile, leadership uncertainty at the Fed adds to market unease, delaying clear guidance on future rate cuts expected no earlier than late 2026.