Ben Bernanke

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has indicated more quantitative easing measures will be pumped into the US economy when it is needed to avert long-term damage, but his lacklustre speech failed to impress those seeking a firmer commitment.

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank is unlikely to pump further stimulus into the US economy unless it sees an unexpected sharp deterioration.

The S&P 500 closed at its highest level since May 2008 after Fed chairman Ben Bernanke hinted the US central bank would keep in place its supportive monetary policy.

Martin Weale voiced fears over "persistent" inflation yesterday in a hawkish speech underlining the growing splits at the Bank of England over the path of monetary policy.

A Federal Reserve official has called for more "monetary accommodation" to tackle surging unemployment and the country's creaking mortgage market.

The options available to policymakers in a slow growth environment.

US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has told Congress the US economy is "close to faltering" and more action may be needed.

The Federal Reserve will not pump extra money into the ailing US economy, but policymakers last night unveiled a new scheme which they hope will stimulate growth.

US markets moved lower in the immediate aftermath of Ben Bernanke's Jackson Hole speech after the Fed chairman made no firm commitment to further stimulus.

The US Commerce Department has said US GDP rose at an annualised rate of just 1% in the second quarter, down from an earlier estimate of 1.3%.