WASHINGTON — Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers Wednesday that the Federal Reserve’s efforts to bolster growth have helped lift the U.S. economy out of the Great Recession. But he acknowledged that growth remains weak and the Fed can only do ...

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WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke painted a dark picture of where the U.S. economy is headed if Congress fails to reach agreement soon to avert a budget crisis. “It would probably knock the recovery back into a recession ...

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WASHINGTON — Consumer prices were unchanged in June, held down by cheaper gas. Outside the volatile food and energy categories, inflation was mild. Weak economic growth is limiting the ability of companies to raise prices. The tame inflation was underscored ...

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WASHINGTON — The American job machine has jammed. Again. The economy added only 80,000 jobs in June, the government said Friday, erasing any doubt that the United States is in a summer slump for the third year in a row. ...

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WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is meeting this week at a time of high alert — over the slumping U.S. economy, the aftermath of the Greek elections and the shaky financial markets. Whether that means it will announce any new ...

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WASHINGTON — More Americans sought unemployment aid last week, suggesting hiring remains sluggish. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly unemployment benefit applications rose 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 386,000. The increase came after the government revised the previous week ...

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WASHINGTON — Chairman Ben Bernanke said the Federal Reserve is prepared to take further steps to lift the U.S. economy if it weakens. But he didn’t signal any imminent action in testimony before a congressional panel Thursday. Bernanke said the ...

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WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve policymakers are open to further efforts to stimulate the U.S. economy if growth falters or threats escalate. Minutes of the central bank’s April 24-25 meeting released Wednesday stated that “several members” thought additional Fed support could ...

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WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits remained stuck near a three-month high last week, a sign that job gains will likely remain modest. The report disappointed economists, who had forecast a decline in unemployment applications. Even ...

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WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke left open the possibility Wednesday of further Fed action to stimulate the economy. Speaking at a news conference, Bernanke walked a fine rhetorical line: He signaled that the Fed would act more aggressively ...

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