Watching Interest Rates? Note These FOMC Dates

With the U.S. economy slowing and the clamor for lower short-term interest rates growing, manufacturers will want to keep a close eye on the Federal Reserve Board this year. Beginning with a two-day session at the end of this month, the board's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which sets interest rates, is slated to meet eight times during 2001. The dates are: Jan. 30 and 31, March 20, May 15, June 26 and 27, Aug. 21, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, and Dec. 11. However, if he judges the situation warrants it, Fed chairman Alan Greenspan can adjust rates on his own between meetings.