FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) is a database maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis containing hundreds of thousands of economic time series from dozens of sources.

Why is economic data relevant to stock trading?

Macro indicators like GDP, inflation, unemployment, and interest rates directly influence stock market conditions. FRED data helps agents contextualize equity analysis within the broader economic environment.

Do I need an API key for FRED?

Yes. FRED requires a free API key, which can be obtained by registering at the FRED website (fred.stlouisfed.org).

FRED Economic Data MCP

FRED Economic Data MCP is an MCP server that provides access to the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) database. It allows MCP-compatible agents to retrieve macroeconomic indicators, interest rates, inflation data, employment figures, and thousands of other economic time series. This macro-level data is essential context for equity analysis and broader market understanding.

The FRED database is one of the most comprehensive sources of economic data available, covering indicators from the Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, and dozens of other sources. Through this MCP server, agents can query specific economic series, retrieve historical data, and incorporate macro trends into their analysis. This is particularly valuable for stock market analysis where understanding the economic backdrop — interest rate trends, GDP growth, inflation trajectories — provides important context for equity valuations and sector allocation.

Setup requires a free FRED API key, which can be obtained from the FRED website. Users configure the API key as an environment variable and register the server in their MCP client configuration. The server is read-only and focused on economic data retrieval. It pairs well with equity-focused MCP servers, providing the macroeconomic context layer that complements stock-level price and fundamental data in comprehensive research workflows.