BEN BERNANKE

Forecast-beating results from big U.S. corporations and expectations of more of the same easy money policies from the Federal Reserve lifted index futures on Wednesday, with stocks set to run higher after the S&P 500 moved above a technical resistance level.

U.S. stocks index futures rose on Wednesday as investors bet the Federal Reserve would indicate more of the same easy monetary policy and anticipated more forecast-beating earnings.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to a higher opening on Wednesday ahead of US Federal Reserve’s meeting and Census Bureau's durable goods orders report.

The U.S. dollar plumbed a near 3-year low against other major currencies on Wednesday before a Federal Reserve decision, which is expected to reinforce an ultra-easy policy stance and drive more capital to buoyant emerging Asian stock markets.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke doesn’t seem to understand inflation. In 2011, he has denied its existence and dismissed the recent run-up in commodities prices as transitory.

A fresh batch of corporate results pushed U.S. stocks to their best levels since June 2008 on Tuesday, renewing optimism that profit growth will remain resilient enough to keep equities on the rise.

A fresh batch of corporate results pushed stocks to their best levels since June 2008 on Tuesday, renewing optimism that profit growth will remain resilient enough to keep equities on the rise.

The Federal Reserve kicked off a two-day meeting on Tuesday that will probably show that it is in no hurry to scale back its massive support for the economic recovery.

Wall Street rallied and the S&P 500 hit its highest level since June 2008 on Tuesday as a flood of positive corporate results added to increasing optimism about the economic growth outlook.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is expected to hold its first ever post-policy meeting press conference.

The Federal Reserve kicked off a two-day meeting on Tuesday that is expected to conclude with a signal that it is in no hurry to scale back its massive support for the economic recovery.

Silver and gold tumbled on Tuesday as investors sold on uncertainty about the direction of monetary policy in the United States, but a softer dollar helped support prices and sentiment.

At 0909 GMT (5:09 a.m. ET) futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones futures and Nasdaq futures were 0.1 to 0.3 percent higher.

Silver tumbled before finding a footing on Tuesday, dragging prices of gold and oil with it and subduing European shares, although investors were wary of taking strong positions ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting.

Silver prices trimmed a fall on Tuesday that had ended the precious metal's surge to a record high, as option traders sold back metal to cover risks ahead of options expiry later in the day.

Silver tumbled on Tuesday and Asian shares pulled back from recent three-year highs in a bout of profit-taking before the Federal Reserve meeting this week where investors are seeking clues on when it plans to begin exiting its ultra-easy monetary policy.

Silver prices fell nearly five percent on Tuesday, snapping a rally in previous sessions that had carried them close to a record high, as option traders sold back metal to cover risks ahead of options expiry later in the day.

The Australian dollar hit a fresh 29-year high and South Korea's benchmark share index touched another record intraday high on Monday, suggesting investors were still eager to embrace risk and higher-yielding assets.

Data on how the U.S. and British economies fared in the first three months of the year due next week will likely highlight the tenuous nature of the recovery from recession in developed countries.

Large blue chips, including some consumer-oriented companies, will have to show they can counter sluggish developed economies by leveraging growth in emerging markets and technology -- if Wall Street is to maintain earnings momentum next week.

Federal Reserve officials offered clashing views on Monday of whether soft U.S. growth or inflation pose a greater risk to the economy but the face-off looked unlikely to alter the Fed's ultra-loose stance for now.