Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady at 5.25-5.50%
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The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Commitee (FOMC) voted 7-0 on January 24, 2026, to maintain the federal funds rate in a target range of 5.25% to 5.50%,where it has remained as July 2023.This decision comes amid continued economic growth and moderating inflation.
Inflation and Economic Data
the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.1% over the 12 months ending in December 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in December 2025, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an annualized rate of 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
FOMC Statement Highlights
“The Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks,” the FOMC stated in its post-meeting release.”It continues to assess additional details and its implications for monetary policy.”
Future Outlook
the FOMC’s Summary of Economic Projections, released alongside the statement, indicates that a majority of committee members anticipate at least three 25-basis-point rate cuts in 2026. Specifically, 12 of 19 FOMC members project the federal funds rate will be between 4.50% and 4.75% by the end of 2026. The median projection for GDP growth in 2026 is 2.1%, and the median projection for the unemployment rate is 4.1%.
Recent Rate Hikes
- March 2022: 0.25% increase
- May 2022: 0.50% increase
- June 2022: 0.75% increase
- July 2022: 0.75% increase
- September 2022: 0.75% increase
- November 2022: 0.50% increase
- December 2022: 0.50% increase
- February 2023: 0.25% increase
- March 2023: 0.25% increase
- May 2023: 0.25% increase
- July 2023: 0.25% increase (current peak)
The Federal Reserve Board is located at 20th Street and constitution Avenue NW,Washington,DC 20554. Further information is available on the Federal Reserve Board’s website: https://www.federalreserve.gov/
