MARKETS / FINANCE

World stocks rose 1 percent and the dollar fell on Friday as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke left the door open for future U.S. economic stimulus.

In his Jackson Hole, Wyo. conference speech, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said, in so many words, that headwinds -- some organic, some Capitol Hill-ish -- confronting the U.S. economy are strong, but the Fed is stronger.

Justice Department investigators believed that Google Inc's Chief Executive Larry Page knew about improper online pharmacy ads that Google carried, and allowed the ads for years, the Wall Street Journal said.

Justice Department investigators believed that Google Inc's Chief Executive Larry Page knew about improper online pharmacy ads that Google carried, and allowed the ads for years, the Wall Street Journal said.

U.S. stocks are setting up for another turbulent week that will begin with a focus, oddly enough, on the weather.

The Federal Reserve announced on Friday that it will hold three public meetings on the proposed purchase of ING Groep NV's online bank ING Direct by Capital One Financial Corp.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday stopped short of detailing further action to boost the U.S. recovery but said the central bank would consider what more it could do to fight high unemployment, giving some comfort to investors.

The IMF's updated forecasts to be released next month do not foresee a global recession but risks have risen, a senior International Monetary Fund official said on Friday.

Wall Street posted its first weekly gain in more than a month as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke raised hopes for more stimulus for the economy at the U.S. central bank's September meeting.

Wall Street posted its first weekly gains in more than a month on Friday as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke raised hopes for more stimulus for The economy at its September meeting.

Investors objecting to Bank of America Corp's $8.5 billion settlement of claims over losses on mortgage-backed securities are seeking to send their dispute to federal court, potentially delaying a resolution of one of the beleaguered bank's largest legal liabilities.

Wall Street was on track to end the week higher on Friday after four weeks of losses, as a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke raised hope the Fed could consider further stimulus measures for the economy at an extended policy meeting in September.

The massive American flag draped over the New York Stock Exchange's towering pillars has been removed so that Hurricane Irene doesn't tear it down this weekend.

Gold rose Friday nearly 2 percent after the head of the U.S. central bank, in a closely analyzed speech, declined to signal more money printing as a way energize the moribund U.S. economy.

Brent crude oil rose slightly in choppy trade on Friday as Hurricane Irene barreled toward the U.S. East Coast and traders weighed comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the economy.

Stocks rallied on Friday after a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke raised hope the Fed could consider further stimulus measures for the economy at an extended policy meeting in September.

The OECD is prepared to cut growth expectations for much of the world, including Europe and Japan, the organization's head said on Friday.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Friday as investors found few reasons to buy following a volatile week and ahead of a speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the economy.

Switzerland has made a proposal to try to kickstart talks to settle its impasse with U.S. authorities over Swiss banks suspected of helping wealthy Americans dodge taxes, its finance minister said.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday stopped short of signaling further action to boost growth, but said it was critical for the economy's health to reduce long-term joblessness.

Bank of America could strike a deal as early as Monday to sell about half of its 10 percent stake in China Construction Bank, CNBC reported Friday, citing an anonymous source.

The U.S. economy grew much slower than previously thought in the second quarter as business inventories and exports were less robust, a government report showed on Friday, although consumer spending was revised up.

Wall Street stocks rebounded on Friday as investors digested Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's remarks about the economy and regained hope the door was still open for more monetary stimulus down the road.

EU authorities would need to re-examine Italy's austerity plan if it is overhauled, an Italian Treasury official said on Friday, while town mayors added to the clamor for amendments by protesting against funding cuts.

Labor strikes in the United States left 46,300 workers idle during the reference period for the government's August employment survey, the Labor Department said on Friday.

The CME Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange has contingency plans to open normally Monday, despite the potential for havoc from Hurricane Irene.

Shares of major gold mining companies fell Friday in midday trading, after the head of the U.S. central bank used a closely-watched speech to indicate that the Federal Reserve had no immediate plans to stimulate the lagging economy with another round of bond buying.

Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday the U.S. economy needed more stimulus to get it moving, putting in a plug for government intervention shortly before the White House unveils new proposals to boost job growth.

U.S. economic growth in the second quarter was slower than previously thought and consumer confidence sank in August, further reducing prospects of a strong pick-up in output in the second half of the year.