BEN BERNANKE

On Wed, the Fed kept its quantitative easing program intact, saying it expects moderate GDP growth in 2013. The vote was 11-1.

Recent U.S. data should convince the Fed that the economy has resumed growing after a temporary pause.

February’s hiring increase was the highest since November, but economists warn that the trend could easily be reversed.

Here’s a rundown of some nuggets from Wednesday’s Beige Book, which can be used to get a feel for the direction of the U.S. economy.

Economists polled by Reuters expect the economy to have created 160,000 jobs in February -- basically at the same pace as 2012.

U.S. stock index futures point to a slightly higher open Wednesday ahead of the publication of the Census Bureau's durable goods orders data.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a higher open Tuesday as investors await comments from the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the economic outlook and monetary policy and the release of Census Bureau's new home sales data.

A two-day G-20 meeting in Moscow ended on Saturday with members promising to refrain from competitive currency devaluation.

The impending crisis cuts has been simmering for months. Now it's reaching a boil. Merry Christmas!

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke coined the term “fiscal cliff.” But he also said politicians need to act since the central bank can't do much.

Asian shares extended gains for a seventh day Thursday, after the U.S. Federal Reserve took new stimulus steps.

The chairman attempted to clarify new guidance from the Fed, but the more things were explained, the more complicated they became.

The Fed Wednesday announced a new round of monetary easing and, in a historic turn, tied future actions to a numerical jobless target.

If Congress can strike a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, the U.S. economy could show some meaningful improvements in 2013.

As U.S. budget talks continue on Capitol Hill, the Federal Reserve is expected to announce a new round of quantitative easing Wednesday.

Economists have trimmed their expectations for Q1 2013 U.S. GDP growth for the fourth straight month.

After returning from the Thanksgiving break, market participants will face a crowded economic calendar.

Asian stock markets reported their best weekly gains in two months this week as investor sentiment turned positive on signs of an improvement in global manufacturing, while expectations that U.S. lawmakers will soon arrive at a consensus to avoid the "fiscal cliff” also lifted market sentiment.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a lower open Wednesday ahead of the Labor Department's weekly jobless claims data.

Asian stock markets were mixed Wednesday as renewed concerns over euro zone crisis and U.S. fiscal cliff fears weighed on the sentiment.

The chairman sputtered and equivocated in trying to explain what the Fed could do to get banks lending again.