The Federal Reserve (Fed) does not change interest rates on a fixed schedule. Instead, it adjusts rates as needed based on current economic conditions such as inflation, employment, and overall economic stability. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets eight times per year, approximately every six weeks, to review these conditions and decide whether to raise, lower, or maintain the federal funds rate
. In some years, the Fed may keep rates unchanged for several meetings, while in others it may change rates multiple times depending on economic trends. For example, during periods of high inflation, the Fed tends to raise rates to slow down the economy, whereas during downturns, it may cut rates to stimulate growth
. Thus, while the Fed meets eight times annually to consider rate changes, the actual frequency of rate adjustments varies and is driven by economic data rather than a fixed timetable
