FOMC trading blackout dates for 2026 and 2027
Federal Reserve staff with regular access to Class I FOMC information, and FOMC covered individuals, can't buy or sell investments during a window around each FOMC meeting. The trading blackout covers the same days as the FOMC's communications blackout.
How the window is set
- Starts: 12:00 a.m. Eastern on the second Saturday before the meeting begins.
- Ends: 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the day after the meeting ends, usually a Thursday.
- Who it covers: staff with ongoing Class I FOMC access (when they know Class I information about that meeting), and all FOMC covered individuals. Federal Reserve Thrift Plan orders count too.
- Also: staff with ongoing Class I access can't sell something they've held under 45 days. Covered individuals must hold for one year, give 45 days' notice and get preclearance.
The calendar below lists every window. 2027 dates follow the Fed's published meeting schedule and can change, so the Fed's own blackout calendar is the final word.
Blackout windows
Meeting Oct 27–Oct 28, 2026
Blackout in effect nowNo trading: Sat, Oct 17, 2026, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Oct 29, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: scheduled (2026 calendar)
Meeting Dec 8–Dec 9, 2026
No trading: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Dec 10, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: scheduled (2026 calendar)
Meeting Jan 26–Jan 27, 2027
No trading: Sat, Jan 16, 2027, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Jan 28, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: tentative (2027 calendar)
Meeting Mar 16–Mar 17, 2027
No trading: Sat, Mar 6, 2027, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Mar 18, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: tentative (2027 calendar)
Meeting Apr 27–Apr 28, 2027
No trading: Sat, Apr 17, 2027, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Apr 29, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: tentative (2027 calendar)
Meeting Jun 8–Jun 9, 2027
No trading: Sat, May 29, 2027, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Jun 10, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: tentative (2027 calendar)
Meeting Jul 27–Jul 28, 2027
No trading: Sat, Jul 17, 2027, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Jul 29, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: tentative (2027 calendar)
Meeting Sep 14–Sep 15, 2027
No trading: Sat, Sep 4, 2027, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Sep 16, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: tentative (2027 calendar)
Meeting Oct 26–Oct 27, 2027
No trading: Sat, Oct 16, 2027, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Oct 28, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: tentative (2027 calendar)
Meeting Dec 7–Dec 8, 2027
No trading: Sat, Nov 27, 2027, 12:00 a.m. ET through Thu, Dec 9, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Schedule: tentative (2027 calendar)
Common questions
When does the FOMC blackout period start?
At 12:00 a.m. Eastern on the second Saturday before a scheduled FOMC meeting.
When does the FOMC blackout period end?
At 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the day after the meeting ends.
Does the blackout apply to all Fed employees?
No. The trading blackout applies to staff with regular access to Class I FOMC information and to FOMC covered individuals. Other employees still follow the bank and financial-fund rules year-round.
Is the trading blackout the same as the communications blackout?
They cover the same window. The communications rule limits public comments about policy, and the trading rule limits buying and selling.
Sources (checked October 12, 2026)
- FOMC Trading & External Communications Blackout Calendar, 2025–2028 (Federal Reserve)
- FOMC meeting calendars (Federal Reserve)
- FOMC Policy on Investment and Trading, section IV
- Class Waivers from the Investment and Trading Policies for Covered Individuals (issued by the Board's Designated Agency Ethics Official, undated)
Screening guidance only, not an official Federal Reserve determination. Your ethics office makes the final decision, including any preclearance your role requires.