It's Fed Week on Wall Street, and the Federal Open Market Committee is widely expected to deliver another 25-basis-point rate cut at the end of its two-day meeting on Wednesday.
Washington D.C. is already moving on from Jerome Powell even though he has this, plus three FOMC meetings in 2026, to oversee. The Fed and the chair have been under unusual political pressure this year to cut interest rates.
Powell's press conference will be notable for what he reveals about inflation and jobs, as well as the decision-making process for this meeting and the discussion around the quarterly Summary of Economic Projections.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Meanwhile, multiple reports suggest National Economic Director Kevin Hassett will be the next Fed chair. President Donald Trump said he'll name his nominee early next year. Powell's term as Fed chair expires in May.
As for incoming economic data, in addition to weekly jobless claims, we'll see the first Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report since September 30. October data was delayed by the government shutdown.
Other economic data we're watching
Tuesday, December 10: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS): We'll get our first look at job openings and hiring and separation trends since September 30, though this detailed but delayed data from October is not quite real-time.
Thursday, December 11: Weekly jobless claims: This noisy data set remains the most timely read on the current state of the labor market, and lately it's looked relatively healthy.
Read on to see the entire weekly economic calendar of the most important upcoming economic reports scheduled to be released in the next several days. At times, we provide expanded previews and recaps for select reports.
Please check back often. This economic calendar is updated regularly. Bolded reports are those considered more noteworthy. All reporting times are in Eastern Time.
Reports that have been delayed due to the government shutdown are marked with an asterisk (*).
Monday (12/8)
There are no noteworthy economic reports scheduled for release on Monday, December 8.
Tuesday (12/9)
Time released | Economic report | Period |
6 am | NFIB Small Business Index | November |
10 am | Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)* | October |
Wednesday (12/10)
Welcome to Fed Week
Looking at price action in the futures market and market-based interest rates, there's not much mystery about what the Federal Open Market Committee will do at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday.
Absence of mystery does not mean absence of drama.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell and company are going to trim the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.50% to 3.75%.
Price stability is a pressing question, with the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs on inflation still undetermined. Full employment must take precedent, for now.
But, as Wells Fargo economists Sarah House and Michael Pugliese observe, "The FOMC has grown increasingly split over its near-term course of action." Indeed, House and Pugliese expect to see multiple dissents from voting members of the FOMC.
"A more hawkish post-meeting statement could be used to limit the total number of dissents," they write. "We expect the statement to signal a higher bar to additional rate cuts and to hint that a hold in January is most Committee members' working assumption."
House and Pugliese also expect the December update to the Fed's Summary of Economic Projections to include "forecasts … in the direction of higher unemployment and lower inflation – consistent with another 25 bps rate cut at this meeting."
The median for the Fed's dot plot for 2026 will remain at 3.375%. "Given the potential for a slightly higher unemployment rate and slightly lower inflation in the 2026 projections," they conclude, "we see the risks to the 2026 median dot as skewed to the downside."
Time released | Economic report | Period |
8:30 am | Employment Cost Index* | Q3 |
2 pm | U.S. federal budget | November |
2 pm | Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) policy statement | N/A |
2 pm | FOMC Summary of Economic Projections | N/A |
2:30 pm | Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's press conference | N/A |
Thursday (12/11)
Time released | Economic report | Period |
8:30 am | Weekly jobless claims | Week ending December 6 |
10 am | U.S. trade balance* | September |
Friday (12/12)
There are no noteworthy economic reports scheduled for release on Friday, December 12.
Reporting schedules are provided Forex Factory and MarketWatch.
Related content
-
Why Playing It Safe in Retirement Is a Big RiskFear of losing money could actually cost you in retirement. Find out why being too conservative with your life savings can hurt you and how to stop that from happening.
-
Tax Refund Alert: House GOP Predicts ‘Average’ $1,000 Payouts in 2026Tax Refunds Here's how the IRS tax refund outlook for 2026 is changing and what steps you can take now to prepare.
-
What Not to Do in an Airport LoungeBefore you settle into that cushy lounge chair, skip the rookie moves that annoy other travelers and can even get you kicked out.
-
Meet the World's Unluckiest — Not to Mention Entitled — Porch PirateThis teen swiped a booby-trapped package that showered him with glitter, and then he hurt his wrist while fleeing. This is why no lawyer will represent him.
-
Smart Business: How Community Engagement Can Help Fuel GrowthAs a financial professional, you can strengthen your brand while making a difference in your community. See how these pros turned community spirit into growth.
-
In 2026, the Human Touch Will Be the Differentiator for Financial AdvisersAdvisers who leverage innovative technology to streamline tasks and combat a talent shortage can then prioritize the irreplaceable human touch and empathy.
-
How Financial Advisers Can Deliver a True Family Office ExperienceThe family office model is no longer just for the ultra-wealthy. Advisory firms will need to ensure they have the talent and the tech to serve their clients.
-
Stocks Slip to Start Fed Week: Stock Market TodayWhile a rate cut is widely expected this week, uncertainty is building around the Fed's future plans for monetary policy.
-
December Fed Meeting: Live Updates and CommentaryThe December Fed meeting is one of the last key economic events of 2025, with Wall Street closely watching what Chair Powell & Co. will do about interest rates.
-
Why Investors Shouldn't Romanticize Bitcoin, From a Financial PlannerInvestors should treat bitcoin as the high-risk asset it is. A look at the data indicates a small portfolio allocation for most investors would be the safest.
-
I'm a Financial Pro Focused on Federal Benefits: These Are the 2 Questions I Answer a LotMany federal employees ask about rolling a TSP into an IRA and parsing options for survivor benefits, both especially critical topics.
