BEN BERNANKE

A U.S. business group on Wednesday said it welcomed China's plans to ease restrictions on foreign investment, in a sign that tensions over currency have not blocked progress on all other trade issues.

Economic activity strengthened in most U.S. regions during March and early April with the exception of St. Louis, where plans to close several plants were announced, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.

Economic activity strengthened in most U.S. regions during March and early April with the exception of St. Louis, where plans to close several plants were announced, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.

A moderate U.S. economic recovery is likely to warrant very low interest rates for a long time, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified on Wednesday.

The U.S. economy is still being weighed down by weakness in the construction sector and battered state and city budgets, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.

A moderate U.S. economic recovery is likely to warrant very low interest rates for a long time, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.

Stocks futures rose on Wednesday, pointing to a higher start for Wall Street after the world's top chipmaker Intel Corp posted better-than-expected first-quarter results and gave an outlook that topped Wall Street forecasts.

Stocks futures rose on Wednesday, pointing to a higher start for Wall Street after the world's top chipmaker Intel Corp posted better-than-expected first-quarter results and gave an outlook that topped Wall Street forecasts.

U.S. Federal Reserve officials said on Tuesday the economy is operating well below full capacity and full recovery is a way off, in comments suggesting no urgency to begin tightening financial conditions.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Tuesday that it was more important than ever for people to become financially knowledgeable so they can make sound decisions after the losses of recent years.

The euro fell against most currencies on Tuesday as a Greek debt auction highlighted persistent doubts about Greece's credit risk and investors worried about tepid economic prospects in the euro zone. Greece passed its first borrowing test since the euro zone agreed on a potential rescue package but paid a high premium to issue the Treasury bills.

Federal Reserve officials again reiterated their commitment to low interest rates for an extended period on Thursday, given the fragile nature of the economic recovery, and suggested a reduction in the size of the central bank's balance sheet could take as long as two decades.

Two top U.S. Federal Reserve officials warned about the risks to the economy from asset bubbles on Wednesday, and one suggested raising interest rates to halt risky behavior that could trigger another bust.

U.S. stocks fell in a broad late-day drop on Wednesday after a top Federal Reserve official said interest rates should not stay low for much longer, giving investors an excuse to take profits.

The U.S. economy still faces significant headwinds, including a housing sector that has yet to recover convincingly and an ailing employment market, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.

U.S. stocks fell in a broad late-day drop on Wednesday after a top Federal Reserve official said interest rates should not stay low for much longer, giving investors an excuse to take profits.

U.S. stocks tumbled on Wednesday on investors' worries over Greece's debt load, making it impossible for the market to hold gains after strong demand at a Treasury note auction.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday the U.S. economy still faces significant headwinds, including a housing sector that has yet to recover convincingly and an ailing employment market.

The Dow industrials and S&P 500 fell on Wednesday on renewed worries over Greece's financing woes and ahead of an auction of Treasury notes that could further drive up yields and hurt a fragile housing recovery.

Wall Street was set to open lower on Wednesday on worries over Greece's ongoing financing woes and ahead of an auction of 10-year Treasury notes coming amid concerns about rising yields.

Stocks indexes futures edged lower on Wednesday as investors were cautious ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and an auction of 10-year Treasury notes amid concerns about rising yields.