Stocks open higher after Bernanke reappointed as Federal Reserve chairman, home prices jump

September 30th, 2009 Bernanke asks Congress to empower regulatorsWASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says federal regulators should be responsible for ensuring that the financial institutions they oversee don't become so big and unwieldy that their failure could bring down the economy. In testimony prepared for a House hearing on Thursday, obtained in advance by The Associated Press, Bernanke said Congress should establish a council of regulators to monitor large, influential firms like insurance giant AIG.

September 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US Federal Reserve sees an end to the economic crisis in the second half of the year even as problems are expected to remain on the job market, according to minutes of the central bank's last meeting released Wednesday. Still the majority of the central bankers said at the Aug 11-12 meeting that they expected recovery to be slow and stressed that the economy was "still vulnerable to adverse shocks".

August 25th, 2009 Obama expected to renominate BernankeWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is taking a break from his Martha's Vineyard vacation today to offer Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke another four-year-stint at running the central bank. A senior administration official says Obama plans to make the announcement Tuesday morning.

August 25th, 2009 Stocks rally after jump in consumer confidenceNEW YORK — Stocks are rallying after a report that shows consumers are starting to feel a little more confident about the economy. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence index rose to 54.1 this month from 46.6 in July and far above the 47.5 reading analysts expected.

August 22nd, 2009 Biographical information on Fed chief Ben BernankeNAME — Ben Bernanke. AGE-BIRTH DATE — 55; Dec.

August 21st, 2009 Commodities jump on renewed optimism about economyNEW YORK — Investors returned to the commodities market Friday in a big way, sending prices for copper, silver and oil sharply higher amid clearer signs the economy is healing. Commodities prices rallied after the latest report on housing showed further improvement and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke reassured investors by describing the economy on the verge of a recovery.

August 21st, 2009 Treasurys tank as investors clamor for stocksNEW YORK — Treasury prices fell sharply Friday as investors brushed off the need for safety after an upbeat report on housing and encouraging words from the Federal Reserve chief. As prices tumbled, yields pushed higher, which is worrisome for consumers because long-term Treasury yields are closely tied to interest rates on mortgages and other types of loans.

August 21st, 2009 Sector Snap: Agribusiness stocks riseST. LOUIS — Shares of agribusiness stocks rose on Friday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the economy is on the verge of recovery, signaling that global demand for meat and grains could strengthen in coming months.

August 21st, 2009 Stocks moderately higher at openingNEW YORK — Investors are taking a few more chances on the stock market Friday, sending stocks moderately higher for a fourth straight day ahead of comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and a report on housing. During an annual Fed conference in Jackson Hole, Wyo., Bernanke is expected to talk about the past year's financial crisis and could provide clues about how the Fed will eventually remove trillions of dollars in aid used to support the economy.

July 22nd, 2009 Treasurys jump as Bernanke eases inflation fearsNEW YORK — Treasurys reversed early losses and moved sharply higher for a second day in a row Tuesday as investors took comfort in remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that inflation will remain low. In his semiannual address to Congress, Bernanke assured investors and members of the House Financial Services Committee that the central bank will be able to exit its economic stimulus programs and ward off inflation as the economy becomes more stable.

July 21st, 2009 Treasurys rise as Bernanke eases inflation fearsNEW YORK — Treasurys reversed early losses and moved higher for a second day in a row Tuesday as investors took comfort in remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that inflation will remain low. In his semiannual address to Congress, Bernanke assured investors and members of the House Financial Services Committee that the central bank will be able to exit its economic stimulus programs and ward off inflation as the economy becomes more stable.

June 26th, 2009 Bernanke: Reliable stats help Fed, AmericansWASHINGTON — Reliable economic statistics produced by the U.S. government are important to Federal Reserve policymakers as well as millions of ordinary Americans wanting to keep tabs on jobs, wages and prices at stores, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said Friday.

June 23rd, 2009 Obama: Bernanke doing good jobWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is doing a fine job under difficult circumstances but he declines to say whether he will reappoint the chairman in January. Obama said he would not make news about Bernanke at a White House press conference Tuesday.

June 4th, 2009 Bernanke: crisis shows need for more researchWASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the global financial crisis highlights the need for economists to deepen their understanding of how events on Wall Street can affect the broader economy. In prepared remarks to a Fed conference, Bernanke says: "The rationale for such research has certainly been underscored by the financial crisis that began in August 2007 and the powerful adverse effects of the crisis on economic activity around the globe." The Fed chief's remarks didn't mention current economic conditions, or offer clues as to whether the central bank would announce any additional steps to shore up the economy at its meeting later this month.

February 25th, 2009 NEW YORK - Crude oil prices rose Tuesday despite dim economic data as US stocks rallied from a 12-year low. A report from the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller showed home prices tumbled by the sharpest annual rate on record in the fourth quarter and in December.