The Federal Open Market Committee's April 29 decision to maintain the federal funds rate target range at 3.5%-3.75%—a unanimous consensus among traders reflected in Polymarket's 100% implied probability for no change—stems from elevated inflation pressures, with March 2026 CPI rising 3.3% year-over-year amid a 10.9% energy surge driven by Middle East tensions, offsetting modest labor market softening evidenced by 4.3% unemployment and low jobless claims near 219,000. Solid economic expansion further supported holding steady, despite internal dissent including one vote for a 25 bps cut and three opposing an easing bias. Upcoming April CPI on May 12 and the next FOMC meeting could signal shifts if data deviates sharply.