Upcoming Global Central Bank Rate Decisions: April 27 - May 01 2026
Enduring Markets Sunday Newsletter
Welcome to this week’s Enduring Markets’ Sunday Newsletter, providing a look ahead at the crucial interest rate decisions from central banks across the globe.
We’ve compiled the schedule and a brief summary of the official press releases from each MPC’s most recent policy meetings.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Japan: Bank of Japan (BOJ)
Previous Decision: Hold (March 19, 2026)
Key Rate: 0.75% (Uncollateralized Overnight Call Rate)
Summary: The BOJ maintained its policy rate at 0.75% during its March meeting. After steadily normalizing policy throughout 2025, policymakers opted to wait and thoroughly evaluate the results of the spring Shunto wage negotiations to ensure that a “virtuous cycle” of rising wages and prices is firmly embedded in the domestic economy before making further adjustments.
Latest Press Release: Statement on Monetary Policy
Schedule Verification: Confirmed. The BOJ will conclude its two-day Monetary Policy Meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with the rate decision and Outlook Report released during the Asian trading session.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Canada: Bank of Canada (BoC)
Previous Decision: Hold (March 18, 2026)
Key Rate: 2.25% (Overnight Rate)
Summary: The Bank of Canada held its benchmark rate steady at 2.25%, maintaining its pause after concluding an aggressive easing cycle in late 2025. The Governing Council noted that while core inflation metrics have shown reassuring softness, a recent uptick in headline inflation (driven by global energy prices) justified a cautious, wait-and-see approach.
Latest Press Release: Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement
Schedule Verification: Confirmed. The Bank of Canada will announce its interest rate decision and publish its Monetary Policy Report on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 9:45 AM EDT.
USA: Federal Reserve (FED)
Previous Decision: Hold (March 18, 2026)
Key Rate: 3.50% – 3.75% (Federal Funds Rate Target Range)
Summary: The FOMC kept the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at its March meeting. Policymakers emphasized that economic activity remains solid and the labor market is stable. However, with the “last mile” of disinflation proving bumpy and global energy prices ticking up, the Fed remains data-dependent and has signaled that rate cuts are not guaranteed without further evidence of sustainable convergence to the 2% target.
Latest Press Release: Federal Reserve Board - Press Releases
Schedule Verification: Confirmed. The FOMC’s two-day meeting will conclude on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with the policy statement released at 2:00 PM EDT, followed by Chair Powell’s press conference.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Eurozone: European Central Bank (ECB)
Previous Decision: Hold (March 19, 2026)
Key Rate: 2.00% (Deposit Facility Rate)
Summary: The ECB Governing Council kept its main interest rates unchanged, leaving the deposit rate at 2.00%. The decision followed a prolonged cycle of rate cuts throughout 2024 and 2025. The ECB specifically cited geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and the resulting upward pressure on near-term inflation as primary reasons to pause and evaluate incoming economic data before further easing.
Latest Press Release: Monetary policy decisions
Schedule Verification: Confirmed. The ECB Governing Council will hold its monetary policy meeting, followed by the rate announcement and press conference, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Frankfurt.
United Kingdom: Bank of England (BoE)
Previous Decision: Hold (March 19, 2026)
Key Rate: 3.75% (Bank Rate)
Summary: In a unanimous 9–0 vote, the Monetary Policy Committee held the Bank Rate at 3.75%. The Bank of England noted that while rates have been cut significantly from their 5.25% peak, the recent surge in global energy and commodity prices has increased the risk of higher near-term inflation. The MPC is taking a meeting-by-meeting approach to ensure inflation remains anchored.
Latest Press Release: Monetary Policy Summary and minutes
Schedule Verification: Confirmed. The BoE will announce its interest rate decision, publish the meeting minutes, and release its Monetary Policy Report on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM BST.