BEN BERNANKE

The U.S. economy created no net new jobs in August -- a disappointing report that will likely increase pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve to deploy additional monetary tactics to help rev-up GDP growth to create the millions of jobs the nation needs. Also, the unemployment rate remained the same, at an eye-sore level of 9.1 percent.

Stocks edged up slightly on Wednesday as another round of soft economic data supported a growing belief the Federal Reserve would take new steps to stimulate growth, but tech stocks struggled.

Rick Perry is surging in recent polls into the lead of the race for the Republican party's presidential nomination. It's easy to see why, from among some prominent things he's been known to tote around, including God, Texas and a gun.

Stocks rose on Wednesday as another round of soft economic data supported the growing belief the Federal Reserve will take new steps to stimulate growth.

Brent crude hovered at $114 a barrel Wednesday, after posting six days of gains, on expectations the United States will act again to try and boost growth and increase demand for oil.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke faced dissent in moving forward with aggressive action in response to the U.S. economic slowdown, released minutes from the board's Aug. 9 meeting reveal. The minutes show some Fed officials discussed a more aggressive effort to tackle the slowdown, including another round of Treasury bond purchases, and shifting Fed holdings into long-term Treasury Securities.

A top Federal Reserve official who dissented from the central bank's move this month to ease monetary policy further signaled he would drop his opposition.

The latest Fed minutes show is that the central bank is well aware that the U.S. economic recovery is underperforming -- it's like a car traveling in the right lane on an interstate highway at 40 miles per hour (barely adequate) -- and it's prepared to take additional action to strengthen the recovery, should the tepid growth conditions continue.

Gold and bonds surged on Tuesday and U.S. stocks rebounded in choppy trade as a recovery in risk appetite among some investors was countered by bearish economic news.

The central bank in early August discussed a range of unusual tools it could use to help the economy, with some officials pressing for bold new steps to help the economy.

The biggest impact from QE3 could come from Ben Bernanke announcing it rather than it actually going into effect.

Two top Federal Reserve officials diverged on Tuesday on the need for further action by the central bank to stimulate the flagging economic recovery, underscoring the dilemma faced by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans said on Tuesday he favored strong central bank accommodation for a substantial period of time, as the U.S. economy looks to be moving sideways.

Amid a sluggish U.S. job market, a patch-work recovery in the housing market sector, and now damage from Hurricane Irene, it's understandable if U.S. investors are hesitant regarding deploying new money to the stock market. Where's the Dow Jones Industrial Average headed from here?

Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans said on Tuesday he favored strong central bank accommodation for a substantial period of time, as the U.S. economy looks to be moving sideways.

Gold regained strength on Tuesday as bargain hunting resurfaced after prices dropped more than 2 percent in the previous session, but higher equities and easing worries about recession in the United States could limit gains.

Gold edged higher on Tuesday, following its worst weekly performance in two months last week, supported by improving physical demand and some investor uncertainty ahead of minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's recent policy meeting.

Asian stocks rose on Tuesday and European shares looked set to extend gains as strong U.S. consumer spending data soothed some fears that the economy was slipping back into a recession.

Gold regained strength Tuesday as bargain hunting resurfaced after prices dropped more than 2 percent in the previous session, but higher equities and easing U.S. recession fears could limit gains.

Hong Kong shares could edge lower at Monday's open, with turnover likely to stay low though U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's comments on Friday could boost cyclicals, limiting losses.

Shares of large silver mining companies mostly rose Monday along with the broader stock market as investors ignored the falling price of the white metal on fresh optimism about the strength of the economy.