The financial markets are becoming fixated on US interest rates, the Federal Reserve, inflation, Ben Bernanke and their impact on the US dollar, which is no longer the fall guy for easy investment decisions.
Ben Bernanke
Interest rates on US agenda as job figures improve
Interest rates rises have returned to the American political and business agenda, hurried on by the huge improvement in US unemployment in November.
Bartholomeusz: Go west! Where Europe’s skies are blue
Europe is figuring out exit paths for all their emergency economic measures taken during the GFC. The US isn’t and they need to learn from Europe: less short term profits, more long term stability, writes Stephen Bartholomeuz.
Bernanke faces filibuster ahead of Fed confirmation vote
Will Ben Bernanke score a second term as chairman of the US Fed? The tenuous ties that bind Washington to Wall Street are being stretched to the breaking point, writes David Hirst.
Bernanke under fire
US Fed chief Ben Bernanke is currently appearing in front of the Senate to defend his troubled record in office and argue for a second term. Should he shoulder the responsibility for the Fed’s role in the global financial crisis?
Jobs outlook bleak despite things being on the up
If the US recession is “likely over” as many Americans, led by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke, seems to think, where are the jobs going to come from to power growth in sales and earnings?
Bernanke ‘recession over’ claims ridiculous
Markets went whoopee, but Ben Bernanke’s comments that the the “technical recession” in the US was probably over chafe badly with reality.
No surprises: Bernanke will be back
US President Barack Obama will renominate Ben Bernanke as the US Federal Reserve chief. The move comes a little early — Bernanke’s first term isn’t up for another five months — but it’s hardly a shock in such turbulent economic times, says Phil Izzo.
Bernanke’s hidden warning on US economy
Early reports on Fed chairman Ben Bernanke’s speech overnight ignored his warnings over continued sluggish growth in the recession-hit US.
From the desk of Ben Bernanke…
Currently in DC testifying before Congress, US Fed chief Ben Bernanke took some time out to pen an overview of his thoughts for the WSJ, outlining his plan for an exit strategy from the stimulus package.
Does Bernanke deserve a second term?
Ben Bernanke’s stint as Federal Reserve chairman has been checkered at best, says Desmond Lachman — surely there are better candidates out there?
Who will bail out Bernanke?
The vultures are circling for US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke.
Does Ben Bernanke hate the Bank of America?
Bernanke didn’t railroad the Bank of America into buying Merrill Lynch, says Morgan Housel.
Will Bernanke bugger up the recovery?
Ben Bernanke has been raising public fears about future US budget deficits, says Jeff Madrick. If he backs his ideology with actions, the economy could suffer.
Bernanke warns against big spending — take note Kev
Ben Bernanke laid out the challenge for the Congress: cut the debt and cut spending and do it quickly.
Financial bubble about to burst, again
We are witnessing a bubble, semi-popped, providing its makers with a few final glimpses of joy, before vanishing completely.
External forces will decide fate of cuts
Once again we could be facing the prospect that future interest rate cuts will depend on what happens in the US, Chinese and European economies.
Bernanke: Normal service will resume shortly
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has predicted the US economy will be back on its feet by the end of the year, and people are finally starting to listen. But the massive amount of bad debt isn’t going anywhere, says TIME.
Bank DeathWatch: two more US banks add to toll
America is now heading for its worst year for bank failure since 1993.
Jobless threat makes mockery of US “rebound”
The latest so-called “Beige Book” from the US Federal Reserve is the most ‘cheery’ in months, despite the imminent threat provided by unemployment.
US economy GM bankruptcy will tell the tale
The surge in markets and the increasingly optimistic tone in official comments won’t be worth much if the US economy fails to absorb the looming bankruptcy at General Motors.
US Fed: we’re years away from a turnaround
The US central bank has sharply downgraded its economic outlook for 2009 and 2010, confounding analysts who had been predicting an uptick.
US economy far from home free
The biggest rise in 20 years in new home starts in the US shouldn’t be seen as evidence of a looming recovery, writes Glenn Dyer.
