This question seeks to predict whether the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will decide to increase the federal funds rate following its meeting scheduled for October 31 - November 1, 2023. The federal funds rate is the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserves to other depository institutions overnight. It is a critical tool used by the Federal Reserve to modulate economic growth and inflation.

Resolution Criteria:

The resolution of this question will be based on the official announcement from the Federal Reserve regarding the federal funds rate, which is typically released in a statement shortly after the conclusion of the FOMC meeting. The question will resolve as "Yes" if the FOMC announces an increase in the federal funds rate at the conclusion of the meeting on November 1, 2023. Conversely, the question will resolve as "No" if the FOMC either decides to maintain the federal funds rate or to lower it. Official statements from the Federal Reserve, especially the release detailing the monetary policy decisions from the FOMC meeting, will serve as the primary source for resolution.