How to Trade Before the FOMC: Common Mistakes, Real Opportunities, and a Bit of Patience
Q: Why does the market feel like it's “faking out” before big events like the FOMC meeting? Because it often is. Ahead of major catalysts, the market tends to settle into a range defined by prior session levels. Big players—like institutions, algos, and market makers—aren’t necessarily chasing moves here. They’re waiting. What looks like a breakout or a crash to retail traders is often just a leg inside that range, and price reverses once enough traders have been trapped.
Q: So what range are we talking about today in ES futures? Using the S&P 500 E-mini Futures (ES) as an example, here are yesterday’s key levels:
Point of Control (POC): 6406.0
That’s the box we're playing in—until the FOMC hits.
Q: Can I still trade this kind of setup, or should I sit it out? You can absolutely trade it—just trade it for what it is.
In my experience, these are actually great intraday opportunities to trade the range. The trick is to know your levels, trade around them, and stay humble. Price tends to bounce around between VAL and VAH as traders wait for the next catalyst. That’s your zone.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake traders make before the FOMC? Two things:
Overtrading—getting sucked into every wiggle. That’s when market makers eat you alive. You lose your edge, and worse, your discipline.
Q: What’s the better mindset here? Here’s your power tip: Don’t try to take the entire move from VAL to VAH or vice versa. You don’t need to catch every tick. Price might reverse before hitting the far edge. Aim to catch a good piece of the move, then step back.
And most importantly, don’t force trades. If you didn’t get a clean entry, leave it. No one is grading your activity. This is trading, not a workout routine.
Q: Is this article trying to predict what happens after the FOMC? No. This is not a forecast for after the meeting. Once the FOMC hits, a whole new market can open up. Volatility spikes, new levels get tested, and the game changes.
Q: So what should I do next?
Be patient
Manage your position size
Walk away when it’s done
The market’s not going anywhere. But your capital will if you let emotions drive your trades. As you develop, do visit investingLive.com (formerly ForexLive.com) as we develop with you across a wider spectrum of financial instruments, intelligent news, education and decision-support.
This article was written by Itai Levitan at investinglive.com.Hence then, the article about how to trade before the fomc was published today ( ) and is available on forex live ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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