The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will announce its interest rate decision today, December 18, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (Brasília time). Soon after, at 4:30 p.m., Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will hold a press conference to comment on the decision.

The prevailing market expectation is for a 0.25 percentage point cut in the interest rate, placing it in the range of 4.25% to 4.50% per year. However, investors will be paying close attention to Powell's statements, which may provide indications about the next steps in monetary policy, especially considering the imminent change of government in the United States.