BEN BERNANKE

The Federal Reserve could begin pulling back its unprecedented stimulus for the U.S. economy by first removing some cash from the financial system and then raising interest rates, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.

Stocks fell on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's comments on how the central bank could exit extraordinary stimulus measures turned investors jittery about the economy's recovery.

Stocks turned lower on Wednesday after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke outlined a path the Fed could take to begin pulling back its unprecedented stimulus for the U.S. economy when the time comes.

The Federal Reserve could begin pulling back its unprecedented stimulus for the U.S. economy by first removing some cash from the financial system and then raising interest rates, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.

Stocks are nearly flat this morning as investors monitor the progress of a possible Greece bailout, digest a slew of economic data, and eye Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's written testimony at 10:00 am EST and the European Union Economic Summit on Thursday.

Stocks opened little changed on Wednesday with equity markets sensitive to comments from European officials about whether a rescue plan for heavily indebted Greece was in the works.

Wall Street was set for a flat open on Wednesday with equity markets sensitive to comments from European officials as to whether a rescue plan for heavily indebted Greece was in the works.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday, taking a cue from gains in global markets, as the prospects of a rescue plan for heavily indebted Greece strengthened sentiment.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday, taking a cue from gains in global markets, as the prospects of a rescue plan for heavily indebted Greece strengthened sentiment.

The Federal Reserve could sell some assets later this year in an effort to whittle down its bloated balance sheet to avoid inflation, a senior Federal Reserve official said on Monday.

Ben Bernanke was sworn in on Tuesday for a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve at a private ceremony in Washington.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday said the Fed must be more transparent to the public but also guard its independence, which serves a vital public interest.

Oil prices rose to $75 a barrel on Monday as support from a weaker dollar, higher U.S. stocks, and an oil spill in Texas which limited crude oil deliveries to some U.S. refiners.

Oil prices rose to $75 a barrel on Monday as support from a weaker dollar, higher U.S. stocks, and an oil spill in Texas which limited crude oil deliveries to some U.S. refiners.

Stock index futures pointed to a flat to higher open on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.2 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.1 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.4 percent at 3:17 a.m..

The Senate on Thursday backed Ben Bernanke for a second four-year term running the Federal Reserve, the world's most powerful central bank, despite deep misgivings over his perceived policy missteps.

U.S. stocks dropped on Thursday as poor outlooks from Motorola and Qualcomm dented optimism in the technology sector while worries about Greece's fiscal health dragged on sentiment.

(Corrects paragraph 6 to read Fears that Athens ... and not News that Athens ... regarding ability to service debt)

The stock market closed down today on shaky economic data and plunging technology shares, despite news that Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke was confirmed for a second term.

Stocks dropped on Thursday as poor outlooks from Motorola and Qualcomm dented optimism in the technology sector while worries about Greece's fiscal health dragged on sentiment.

New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods edged higher in December and the number of workers filing applications for jobless aid fell last week, indicating the economy remains on a recovery path.