U.S. inflation developments in 1995

In setting monetary policy in 1995, the Federal Reserve sought to promote sustainable economic growth and continued progress toward price stability. Toward those ends, the Federal Reserve adjusted the stance of monetary policy three times in 1995. In February, amid signs of increasing inflationary pressures, policy was tightened. In July and December, in response to signals of a slowing economy and abating inflationary pressures, policy was eased.> Clark reviews inflation developments in the United States during 1995. The first section examines the actual behavior of inflation over the past year. The second section examines developments in inflation expectations in 1995. The third section describes the contents and rationale of legislation introduced in Congress in 1995 that would make price stability the primary long-run goal of Federal Reserve monetary policy.> Clark concludes that inflation developments of the past year were largely favorable. Although some important inflation measures, notably the consumer price index, rose slightly relative to the previous year, inflation overall remained moderate. Moreover, expectations of inflation declined in 1995, so that future inflation is generally expected to remain near the current level. The Federal Reserve, therefore, appeared to be successful in maintaining moderate inflation during the year and in convincing the public that inflation will remain moderate in the period ahead.