Factbox-Key moments in Fed easing history since 1994

July 1995: With inflation contained, the Fed lowered the fed funds rate to 5.75% from 6.0%, where it had been since February 1995. "As a result of the monetary tightening initiated in early 1994, inflationary pressures have receded enough to accommodate a modest adjustment in monetary conditions." December 1995: Confident still that inflation was subdued after five months with the funds rate at 5.75%, the Fed lowered it by 25 basis points and would do so again at its next meeting in January.