News
Market news, economic data and the meetings calendar. Sample content from the week of 2 Nov 2026 — the live RSS feed wires up at content time.
Market news
- Fed holds rates at 3.75%–4.00% in a 10–2 vote
The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged on 28 October 2026. Two voters dissented in favour of an immediate quarter-point hike, and markets priced roughly a 75% chance of a December increase. The 10-year Treasury yield ended the week near 4.94%.
FXCM — Global Macro and Markets Briefing · 2026-11-02
- ECB and Bank of Japan also hold
The ECB kept its deposit rate at 2.50%, with a December hike still seen as likely. The Bank of Japan held its policy rate at 1.25% on an 8–1 vote and raised its inflation outlook.
FXCM — Global Macro and Markets Briefing · 2026-11-02
- Fed to dedicate one meeting a year to strategy from late 2027
Chair Warsh announced that from late 2027 one annual FOMC meeting will focus on longer-term monetary-policy strategy instead of rate decisions, with two such meetings a year from 2028 — a change markets read as adding uncertainty around the rate path.
SWBC — Market Commentary · 2026-11-02
Economic data
| Indicator | Value | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Federal funds rate | 3.88% | Oct 2026 · FRED FEDFUNDS |
| 10-year Treasury yield | 4.84% | 5 Nov 2026 · FRED DGS10 |
| AAA corporate bond yield | 6.12% | Oct 2026 · FRED AAA |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | Oct 2026 · FRED UNRATE |
| CPI index | 336.30 | Sep 2026 · FRED CPIAUCSL |
| Q3 GDP growth (annualised) | 3.4% | Q3 2026 · FRED BEA |
Meetings calendar
FOMC meeting — 27–28 Oct 2026
Held — rates unchanged at 3.75%–4.00%
Why it matters: The Fed sets the short-term rate that anchors option pricing and volatility. A hawkish hold lifts yields and usually pressures growth stocks.
FOMC meeting — December 2026
Next — a live meeting, ~75% priced for a hike
Why it matters: The next decision point. Rate expectations move implied volatility across the whole options market into the meeting.
ECB Governing Council — October 2026
Held — deposit rate unchanged at 2.50%
Why it matters: ECB policy moves the euro and global risk appetite, which feeds back into US equity volatility.
Bank of Japan policy meeting — October 2026
Held — policy rate unchanged at 1.25%
Why it matters: BoJ tightening strengthens the yen and can unwind carry trades, a classic source of sudden equity volatility.