All 100 economists in a Reuters poll forecast a Federal Reserve rate increase in December, while 94 expect no change in October, putting the timing of the central bank’s next move in focus.
The Oct. 16-20 survey shows a shift from September, when fewer than half of respondents forecast an increase at the December meeting, Reuters reported. These are economists’ forecasts; the Fed has made neither decision.
The Fed raised its target rate range by a quarter percentage point in September, to 3.75% to 4.00%. In announcing that decision, the central bank said inflation remained elevated and cited its 2% goal.
At its Oct. 27-28 meeting, the Fed will decide whether to leave that range in place, as 94 of the 100 economists expect. The unanimous forecast concerns December, the month of the Fed’s final scheduled meeting of 2026.
The next policy decision is scheduled for Oct. 27-28; the Fed’s final scheduled meeting follows on Dec. 8-9.
