Topic: Ben Bernanke

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Opinion Six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong

Mitt Romney’s economic plan is largely based on a whitepaper written by several “heavyweight” economists. The problem is, it's riddled with fundamental flaws. Here are six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong about what ails the American economy and how to fix it.

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Stocks up on reassurance from Bernanke

Stocks edged up Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said that the U.S. central bank had no firm timetable for cutting back on its bond purchases. Higher earnings for several major companies also helped stocks.
Federal Reserve chief tells Congress: You're making weak economy worse

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tells Congress that its tax hikes and spending cuts are creating 'strong headwinds' for economic recovery and could be costing 750,000 new jobs.
Stocks extend hot start to July

Stocks edged higher on Wall Street Monday on a surge in Boeing, after it was found that batteries were not the cause of a fire on one of its 787 aircraft at London's Heathrow airport last week. The gains continue a hot streak for stocks in July.
Bernanke comments spur markets to record highs

A day after U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke announced his commitment to maintaining a relaxed monetary policy, markets responded positively.
Stocks surge as Bernanke calms stimulus worry

Stocks rose Thursday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank will keep supporting the economy. Stocks that benefit most from a continuation of low interest rates, such as homebuilders, notched some of the biggest gains.
Bernanke speaks, markets jump (both up and down). Are Fed's signals working? (+video)

On Thursday, the latest words from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke pushed stocks up. Last month, he had the opposite effect. The aim is transparency, but some critics prefer the bygone days of the inscrutable Fed.
Mortgage rates climb to two-year high

Mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage climbed to 4.51 percent this week, hitting a two-year high. Mortgage rates have been rising on expectations that the Federal Reserve will slow its bond purchases this year.
Ben Bernanke calms markets, eases fears of early Fed taper

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke at an economic conference near Boston Wednesday, saying the Fed will continue to pour stimulus into the US economy — at least until unemployment and inflation improve.
Stocks little changed on Federal Reserve minutes

Stocks barely reacted to the release of Federal Reserve minutes Wednesday. Major stocks were down just a fraction of a percent more than an hour after the Federal Reserve released a report on its latest policy meeting in June.
Stocks rise for fourth straight day

Stocks edged higher Tuesday as investors bought companies that fare best when the economic outlook is bright. Gains in stocks were led by riskier parts of the market.
Stocks up as corporate earnings kick off

Stocks rose on Wall Street Monday as investors showed some optimism about the start of second-quarter corporate earnings.
Focus Whatever happened to the great 'sequester' smackdown?

Signs of any economic duress from the 'sequester' are few and far between four months in. But the $85 billion in federal spending cuts slated for this fiscal year are likely to be felt as summer deepens.
Stocks rise for second day straight

Stocks closed up on Wall Street Wednesday, despite a slowdown in the US economy. Stocks have been unpredictable for weeks, ever since Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke started hinting that a pullback in Fed stimulus programs would start soon.
US economic growth revised down: Will Fed keep foot on accelerator?

Investors welcomed news that the US economy grew in the first quarter at an annual pace of only 1.8 percent, well below last month's estimate of 2.4 percent, because it may encourage the Fed to persist longer in its stimulus policy.
Stocks rise on good economic news

Stocks closed up on Wall Street Tuesday as investors took good news about the US economy in stride. It comes after investors have sold stocks in recent weeks on fears the Federal Reserve would pull back on its economic stimulus too quickly.
The New Economy Tapering? Maybe later, says Fed.

Fed chief Bernanke spooks the markets with comments that Fed's bond-buying could slow later this year. Dow drops, housing and jobless claims rise – this week in the economy.
Stocks regain ground after biggest drop of the year

Stocks finished the week with an advance Friday after a two-day plunge, suggesting that perhaps Wall Street will be successfully weaned from the Federal Reserve's easy money after all. That money has helped push stocks upward over the past four years.
Mortgage rates edge down after seven-week rise

Mortgage rates for a 30-year loan remain below 4 percent for now. But mortgage rates are expected to rise in response to Fed's intention to reduce bond purchases later this year.
Stocks in tailspin as China adds to Federal Reserve worries

Stocks plunged Thursday continuing the flight from stocks and bonds as traders reacted to news that the Federal Reserve could end its massive bond-buying program. A slowdown in Chinese manufacturing added to Wall Street's worries.
Stock markets shudder at prospect of 'easy money era' ending

A Federal Reserve program that buys bonds to spur economic growth could begin tapering off soon. The stock markets' reaction shows how important 'quantitative easing' became.
Stocks move higher as Federal Reserve looms large

Stocks closed higher Tuesday as investors waited on word from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The central bank will discuss the fate of its economic stimulus program on Wednesday. Many say stocks are in a holding pattern until then.
Stocks up ahead of Federal Reserve meeting

Stocks closed higher Monday as traders hoped the Federal Reserve will decide to continue its economic stimulus program when it meets this week. The guess that the Federal Reserve will continue to prop up the economy sent stocks up.
Stocks fall on disappointing economic reports

Stocks fell Friday after disappointing reports about the US economy. Concerns that the Federal Reserve could announce plans to cut back its stimulus program next week also weighed on stocks.
Japanese stocks plunge, rattling world markets

Japan's Nikkei falls 6.4 percent Thursday in the wake of the Bank of Japan's decision to stand pat on monetary easing. Concerns also mount about Fed's commitment to easing in the US.
Stocks fall as Dow drops below 15,000

Stocks closed lower Wednesday and the Dow Jones industrial average fell 126.79 points to close at 14,995.23. Video-game shops, restaurants, and retailers led stocks downward push.