Trading (or not on FOMC days)
On FOMC days, futures day traders should think less about predicting the announcement and more about protecting their capital and emotional bandwidth. Liquidity often thins out ahead of the release, which means even “normal” setups can behave erratically, so it’s usually wise to reduce size, avoid initiating new positions right before the statement, and stay away from revenge trades if the first move fakes you out.
The real edge comes from preparation: mark key levels, know your max loss for the day, and be ready for spreads to widen and volatility to spike. After the announcement, let the first wave of algorithmic whipsaws pass before stepping in — patience often pays more than bravado.
And above all, don’t treat FOMC like a lottery ticket; treat it like a risk event that rewards discipline, not prediction.
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