The inflation rate in the United States declined significantly between June 2022 and September 2025, despite rising inflationary pressures towards the end of 2024. The peak inflation rate was recorded in June 2022, at *** percent. In August 2023, the Federal Reserve's interest rate hit its highest level during the observed period, at **** percent, and remained unchanged until September 2024, when the Federal Reserve implemented its first rate cut since September 2021. By September 2025, the rate dropped to **** percent, signaling a shift in monetary policy. What is the Federal Reserve interest rate? The Federal Reserve interest rate, or the federal funds rate, is the rate at which banks and credit unions lend to and borrow from each other. It is one of the Federal Reserve's key tools for maintaining strong employment rates, stable prices, and reasonable interest rates. The rate is determined by the Federal Reserve and adjusted eight times a year, though it can be changed through emergency meetings during times of crisis. The Fed doesn't directly control the interest rate but sets a target rate. It then uses open market operations to influence rates toward this target. Ways of measuring inflation Inflation is typically measured using several methods, with the most common being the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI tracks the price of a fixed basket of goods and services over time, providing a measure of the price changes consumers face. At the end of 2023, the CPI in the United States was ****** percent, up from ****** a year earlier. A more business-focused measure is the producer price index (PPI), which represents the costs of firms.

The U.S. federal funds effective rate underwent a dramatic reduction in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate plummeted from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.65 percent in March and further decreased to 0.05 percent in April. This sharp reduction, accompanied by the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program, was implemented to stabilize the economy during the global health crisis. After maintaining historically low rates for nearly two years, the Federal Reserve began a series of rate hikes in early 2022, with the rate moving from 0.33 percent in April 2022 to 5.33 percent in August 2023. The rate remained unchanged for over a year before the Federal Reserve initiated its first rate cut in nearly three years in September 2024, bringing the rate to 5.13 percent. By December 2024, the rate was cut to 4.48 percent, signaling a shift in monetary policy in the second half of 2024. In January 2025, the Federal Reserve implemented another cut, setting the rate at 4.33 percent, which remained unchanged until September 2025, when another cut set the rate at 4.22 percent. In October 2025, the rate was further reduced to 4.09 percent. What is the federal funds effective rate? The U.S. federal funds effective rate determines the interest rate paid by depository institutions, such as banks and credit unions, that lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight. Changing the effective rate in times of crisis is a common way to stimulate the economy, as it has a significant impact on the whole economy, such as economic growth, employment, and inflation. Central bank policy rates The adjustment of interest rates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a coordinated global effort. In early 2020, central banks worldwide implemented aggressive monetary easing policies to combat the economic crisis. The U.S. Federal Reserve's dramatic reduction of its federal funds rate—from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.05 percent by April—mirrored similar actions taken by central banks globally. While these low rates remained in place throughout 2021, mounting inflationary pressures led to a synchronized tightening cycle beginning in 2022, with central banks pushing rates to multi-year highs. By mid-2024, as inflation moderated across major economies, central banks began implementing their first rate cuts in several years, with the U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank all easing monetary policy.

The benchmark interest rate in the United States was last recorded at 4 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Fed Funds Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

United States Effective Federal Funds Rate: Month Average data was reported at 2.199 % pa in Nov 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.188 % pa for Oct 2018. United States Effective Federal Funds Rate: Month Average data is updated monthly, averaging 4.593 % pa from Jul 1954 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 773 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.065 % pa in Jul 1981 and a record low of 0.067 % pa in Feb 2014. United States Effective Federal Funds Rate: Month Average data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M001: Lending and Effective Federal Funds Rates.

Looking at the federal funds rates coming from 7 simple monetary policy rules and 3 economic forecasts —based on data and forecasts available as of February 21, 2018 – Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland researchers find that the median federal funds rate across the policy rules and forecasts rises from 1.49 percent in 2018:Q1 to 2.58 percent in 2020:Q1.

The median federal funds rate coming from 7 simple policy rules and 3 economic forecasts rises from 2.19 percent in 2018:Q3 to 3.26 percent in 2020:Q3.

The U.S. federal funds rate peaked in 2023 at its highest level since the 2007-08 financial crisis, reaching 5.33 percent by December 2023. A significant shift in monetary policy occurred in the second half of 2024, with the Federal Reserve implementing regular rate cuts. By December 2024, the rate had declined to 4.48 percent. What is a central bank rate? The federal funds rate determines the cost of overnight borrowing between banks, allowing them to maintain necessary cash reserves and ensure financial system liquidity. When this rate rises, banks become more inclined to hold rather than lend money, reducing the money supply. While this decreased lending slows economic activity, it helps control inflation by limiting the circulation of money in the economy. Historic perspective The federal funds rate historically follows cyclical patterns, falling during recessions and gradually rising during economic recoveries. Some central banks, notably the European Central Bank, went beyond traditional monetary policy by implementing both aggressive asset purchases and negative interest rates.

Looking at the federal funds rates coming from 7 simple monetary policy rules and 3 economic forecasts, our researchers find that the median fed funds rate across the policy rules and forecasts rises from 2.33 percent in 2018:Q4 to 3.40 percent in 2020:Q4.

United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Median: Year 3 (Y3) data was reported at 3.100 % in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 3.100 % for Dec 2024. United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Median: Year 3 (Y3) data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.900 % from Sep 2015 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.400 % in Sep 2018 and a record low of 0.100 % in Dec 2020. United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Median: Year 3 (Y3) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M005: Federal Funds Rates: Summary of Economic Projections: Federal Reserve Board.

The benchmark interest rate in Japan was last recorded at 0.50 percent. This dataset provides - Japan Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 30 Year data was reported at 3.241 % pa in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.082 % pa for Sep 2018. United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 30 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 4.268 % pa from Jul 2000 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 220 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.199 % pa in Jul 2000 and a record low of 1.751 % pa in Aug 2016. United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 30 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M014: Interest Rate: Swaps Rates.

Between January 2018 and September 2025, the United Kingdom's consumer price inflation rate showed notable volatility. The rate hit its lowest point at *** percent in August 2020 and peaked at *** percent in October 2022. By September 2025, inflation had moderated to *** percent, indicating a gradual increase in inflation rates in the preceding months. The Bank of England's interest rate policy closely tracked these inflationary trends. Rates remained low at -* percent until April 2020, when they were reduced to *** percent in response to economic challenges. A series of rate increases followed, reaching a peak of **** percent from August 2023 to July 2024. The central bank then initiated rate cuts in August and November 2024, lowering the rate to **** percent, signaling a potential shift in monetary policy. In February 2025, the Bank of England implemented another rate cut, setting the bank rate at *** percent, which was further reduced to **** percent in May 2025 and remained at * percent as of September 2025. Global context of inflation and interest rates The UK's experience reflects a broader international trend of rising inflation and subsequent central bank responses. From January 2022 to July 2024, advanced and emerging economies alike increased their policy rates to counter inflationary pressures. However, a shift began in late 2024, with many countries, including the UK, starting to lower rates. This change suggests a potential new phase in the global economic cycle and monetary policy approach. Comparison with other major economies The UK's monetary policy decisions align closely with those of other major economies. The United States, for instance, saw its federal funds rate peak at **** percent in August 2023, mirroring the UK's rate trajectory. Similarly, central bank rates in the EU all increased drastically between 2022 and 2024. These synchronized movements reflect the global nature of inflationary pressures and the coordinated efforts of central banks to maintain economic stability. As with the UK, both the U.S. and EU began considering rate cuts in late 2024, signaling a potential shift in the global economic landscape.

The benchmark interest rate in India was last recorded at 5.50 percent. This dataset provides - India Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Context

Real time prices in the diamond market are reflected by the so-called Diamond Financial Index (DFX) which is available on a daily base since April 2018.

As diamond prices are influenced by many factors like trade barriers, political instability, operational disruptions like mine closures or economic downturns resp. upturns, it is not an easy task to predict the development of future diamond prices.

To predict prices, indicators are needed. Empirical findings support the argument that diamond prices respond to economic downturns resp. upturns and are therefore also correlated with inflation rates and interest rates resp. fed rates. Also gold prices could be an indicator for the development of diamond prices.

Because the US are playing quite a big role in the diamond business, the following US rates can be considered:

o inflation rate (10-year breakeven inflation rate) o interest rate (10-year treasury inflation-indexed security, constant maturity, risk-free) o fed rate (effective federal funds rate)

Moreover, gold prices could be considered as an indicator.

Content

The following five datasets have been downloaded from the following websites and merged to one dataset:

o diamond price (DFX): https://www.investing.com/indices/get-diamonds-general o inflation rate: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/T10YIE o interest rate: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DFII10 o fed rate: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DFF o gold price: https://www.boerse-online.de/rohstoffe/historisch/goldpreis/usd/

To merge the datasets, date has been used as index. A few missing values in the datasets have been filled in by copying the value from the day before (see file "diamond_data_merged_with_other_variables.csv").

Please note: I added one additional version of the dataset where ID is used as index (not date). Missing values are not filled in in this version (see file "df_diamond_data_merged_with_other_variables.csv"). I would recommend using the dataset "diamond_data_merged_with_other_variables.csv" with date as index.

Inspiration

The following questions could be answered:

o How did diamond prices, inflation rate, interest rate, fed rate and gold price develop since 2018? o How is the correlation between diamond prices and inflation rate, interest rate, fed rate and gold prices? o How will diamond prices develop in the future?

When it comes to price prediction machine learning has been successful in predicting stock market prices through a host of different time series models. There is also a limited but quite restrictive application in predicting cryptocurrency prices. Often neural networks like LSTM (Long Short Term Memory) are used. LSTM oder other models, e.g. ARIMA, could be also used here.

Effective Federal Funds Rate：月平均在11-01-2018达2.199年利率%，相较于10-01-2018的2.188年利率%有所增长。Effective Federal Funds Rate：月平均数据按月更新，07-01-1954至11-01-2018期间平均值为4.593年利率%，共773份观测结果。该数据的历史最高值出现于07-01-1981，达19.065年利率%，而历史最低值则出现于02-01-2014，为0.067年利率%。CEIC提供的Effective Federal Funds Rate：月平均数据处于定期更新的状态，数据来源于Federal Reserve Board，数据归类于全球数据库的美国 – 表 US.M001：Lending and Effective Federal Funds Rates。

Does the yield curve's ability to predict future output and recessions differ when interest rates and inflation are low, as in the current global environment? We explore the issue using historical data going back to the 19th century for the US. This paper is similar in spirit to Ramey and Zubairy (2018), who look at the government spending multiplier in times of low interest rates. If anything, the yield curve tends to predict output growth better in low interest rate environments, though this result is stronger for RGDP than for IP.

The benchmark interest rate in Turkey was last recorded at 39.50 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Turkey Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 1 Year data was reported at 2.917 % pa in Nov 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.850 % pa for Oct 2018. United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 1 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 1.409 % pa from Jul 2000 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 221 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.056 % pa in Jul 2000 and a record low of 0.260 % pa in May 2014. United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 1 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M014: Interest Rate: Swaps Rates.

The benchmark interest rate in Canada was last recorded at 2.25 percent. This dataset provides - Canada Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Car loan interest rates in the United States decreased since mid-2024. Thus, the period of rapidly rising interest rates, when they increased from 3.85 percent in December 2021 to 7.92 percent in June 2024, has come to an end. The Federal Reserve interest rate is one of the main causes of the interest rates of loans rising or falling. If inflation stays under control, the Federal Reserve will start cutting the interest rates, which would have the effect of the cost of car loans falling too. How many cars have financing in the United States? Car financing exists because not everyone who wants or needs a car can purchase it outright. A financial institution will then lend the money to the customer for purchasing the car, which must then be repaid with interest. Most new vehicles in the United States in 2024 were purchased using car loans. It is not as common to use car loans for purchasing used vehicles as for new ones, although over a third of used vehicles were purchased using loans. The car industry in the United States The car financing business is huge in the United States, due to the high sales of both new and used vehicles in the country. A lot of the United States is very car-centric, which means that, outside large cities, it can often be difficult to do their daily commutes through other transportation methods. In fact, only a small percentage of U.S. workers used public transport to go to work. That is one of the factors that has helped establish the importance of the automotive sector in North America. Nevertheless, there are still countries in Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe with higher car-ownership rates than the United States.