Topic: U.S. Federal Reserve

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Top 5 bull markets since 1929

The bull market that started in 2009 is currently the fifth most spectacular rise in stock prices since at least 1929. Can you guess which bull markets have been even more impressive?

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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.
Bank of America earnings soar 70 percent

Bank of America's profits jumped 70 percent in the second quarter, helped by cost-cutting and higher earnings from investment banking. Bank of America, the country's second-biggest bank by assets, has been slimming down and cutting jobs since the beginning of 2010.
Stocks fall on lackluster earnings

Stocks closed down on Wall Street Tuesday after a string of disappointing earning reports from major companies. Coca-Cola stocks fell after the company said it sold less soda in its home market of North America.
Tax VOX Five takeaways on America's debt

With $2 trillion in Treasury bonds in tow, the Federal Reserve has a huge impact on the government's fiscal health: the Fed strengthens the government's position while increasing the risk of future increases in interest rates.
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.
Oil prices up on Egypt crisis, US jobs (+video)

Oil prices jumped nearly $2 Friday on continued protests in Egypt and a healthy US jobs report. It's the highest oil prices have been since last May.
The New Economy Jobs report stronger than expected in June. What happens next?

The economy added 195,000 jobs in June, a strong showing that beat analysts' expectations. Steady job growth is good news, but it means that higher interest rates and an easing of Federal Reserve bond buying could come sooner rather than later, putting investors on edge.
US economy gains a robust 195,000 jobs, topping expectations (+video)

Friday's jobs report shows the US economy added 195,000 jobs in June, while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.6 percent. There's no sign yet of a drag from Washington's sequestration.
Stocks down on unrest in Egypt

Stocks fell slightly Tuesday after reports of intensifying political turmoil in Egypt offset good economic news. Car sales, home prices, and manufacturing pushed stocks up for most of the day but major indexes turned lower in the afternoon.
Do you need inflation protection?

Investors have an unprecedented array of inflation-protection tools to safeguard their portfolios: from gold and inflation-protected bonds to commodity mutual funds. Choosing how to hedge against inflation depends on your situation and outlook.
Stocks rise on good economic news

Stocks moved higher on Wall Street Thursday, bolstered by good news on jobs and consumer spending. Stocks have rallied since Tuesday as investors took advantage of lower prices after a sell-off that lasted till Monday.
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.
Stocks fall on China slump, higher bond yields

Stocks dropped Monday on more signs of economic distress from China and a rise in bond yields. Stocks got closer to break-even around midday before falling again in the last hour.
Gold prices fall as dollar strengthens

Gold fell 1 percent Monday morning, hurt by a stronger dollar and worries over the US Federal Reserve possibly tapering its stimulus program. The decline follows a 7 percent drop for gold last week.
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.