Fed's Rate Extremes

Explore the highest and lowest points of the federal funds rate and the duration of its most significant adjustment cycles.

The top 3

1. Highest Fed Rate Record: The highest effective federal funds rate reached 19.10% in June 1981, during the Volcker era to combat high inflation.
2. Lowest Fed Rate Record: The federal funds rate reached its lowest target range of 0.00-0.25% in December 2008 during the Great Recession and again in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Longest Rate Cycles: The longest continuous rate hike cycle was from June 2004 to June 2006, increasing rates from 1.00% to 5.25%; the longest cutting cycle was from September 2007 to December 2008, dropping from 5.25% to 0.00-0.25%.

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