Reading Financial Data - Step by Step / Economic indicators
The fed funds rate
The fed funds rate is a short-term interest-rate series.
Concept
Interest-rate series are usually read in percent per year. The unit matters as much as the number.
Worked Example: Read the latest fed funds observation
- FEDFUNDS is reported in percent. The latest reading is 3.63% on 2026-05-01.
- The page labels the units and frequency, so you do not have to infer what the number means.
- Use the source link when you need to check the official series page.
See it live
Sources
Informational only - not investment advice.