BEN BERNANKE

New orders for factory goods fell for the second time in three months in August, putting into question strength in the manufacturing sector which had led the economic recovery.

The Federal Reserve is prepared to take further steps to help an economic recovery that is close to faltering, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Tuesday.

Stocks tumbled on Tuesday with the S&P 500 sliding into bear market territory as European officials delayed a vital aid payment to debt-stricken Greece but the government said it was not preparing for a default.

The head of the U.S. central bank Tuesday urged Congress to take four specific steps to lift the nation's economy, which is suffering from ailments more acute than he had thought only recently.

Stocks tumbled and the S&P 500 entered bear market territory on Tuesday as European officials postponed a vital aid payment to debt-stricken Greece.

U.S stock futures are down on Tuesday as Eurozone debt crisis fears intensified on authorities’ inability to step up and calm the situation.

Stock index futures fell on Tuesday, a day after equities hit 13-month lows, on increased worries about a major banking crisis in Europe and expectations Greece would default soon.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.4 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.5 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.5 percent at 0841 GMT.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.4 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.5 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.5 percent at 0841 GMT.

Gold headed for its largest one-day rise in nearly a month on Monday and silver climbed almost 5 percent after Greece warned it will miss deficit targets set to avoid bankruptcy, unleashing a sell-off in equities and commodities.

Gold headed for its third straight daily rise on Monday, having in September posted its largest monthly slide since 2008, after Greece warned it will miss deficit targets set to avoid bankruptcy, unleashing a sell-off in equities and commodities.

The chances of the U.S. economy averting a new recession got a boost on Thursday with claims for jobless benefits falling to a five-month low last week and growth a touch stronger in the second quarter than previously estimated.

Ben Bernanke put markets on notice this week: Despite already having spent trillions of dollars to stimulate growth, the Federal Reserve would do more if inflation falls too far and the threat of deflation grows.

Gold prices hovered in a tight range Thursday as bullish and bearish forces pinned the yellow metal to a virtual standstill.

The Dow and S&P 500 rose on Thursday on stronger-than-expected economic data and German lawmakers' approval to strengthen the euro zone's crisis fund, while big-cap Internet shares dragged on the Nasdaq.

The Dow and S&P 500 rose on Thursday on stronger-than-expected economic data and German lawmakers' approval of new powers for the euro zone's crisis fund, while weakness in big-cap Internet names weighing on the Nasdaq.

Stocks rose on Thursday on stronger-than-expected economic data and German lawmakers' approval of new powers for the euro zone's crisis fund.

The number of Americans claiming new unemployment benefits fell to a five-month low last week, while the economy grew slightly more than previously reported in the second quarter, the latest suggestion a recession was not in the cards.

Two economic reports released Thursday may give encouragement to the U.S. stock market's bull, or those who calculate the market is headed higher -- initial jobless claims plunged 37,000 to 391,000 last week and U.S. GDP in second quarter was revised slightly higher, to 1.3 percent from 1.0 percent.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday the central bank might need to ease monetary policy further if inflation or inflation expectations fall significantly.

Stock index futures rose on Thursday after Germany approved new powers for the euro zone's crisis fund and before the government releases data on U.S. economic growth and the labor market.