BEN BERNANKE

Asian stock markets declined Friday as weak economic reports from Japan and South Korea revived concerns over the global economic growth while investors opted for caution ahead of the long-awaited speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke at the Jackson Hole symposium later in the day.

U.S. stock index futures point to a higher open Friday ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech at the Jackson Hole symposium where he is expected to announce another round of monetary easing.

Asian stocks declined to a four-week low on Friday as investor sentiment was weighed down by fading optimism on U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to announce more monetary stimulus at the Jackson Hole convention.

Asian shares fell Friday as investors cooled expectations that U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will offer any signal of a further monetary stimulus when he speaks at an annual meeting of central bankers later in the day.

Market-watchers continued to use words like "anticipation," "expectations," "disappointment" and "excitement" Thursday, less than 24 hours ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke that is being hyped up as a make-or-break moment for economic affairs in 2012.

Asian stock markets declined Thursday as the disappointing Japan retail sales data and the fading hopes for fresh measure by the Fed Reserve weighed on the sentiment.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a lower open Thursday as investors continue to have concerns about the weakening global economy and worsening economic growth momentum.

Asian shares eased and major currencies stayed range-bound Thursday as investors avoided betting on direction before a speech by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, with focus on whether there will be any hint about further U.S. stimulus.

The U.S. economy expanded slightly faster than initially thought in the second quarter, but the pace of growth is still too slow to create enough jobs and drive down the unemployment. Economists are forecasting even slower growth in the second half of 2012, which will probably keep expectations of additional monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve intact.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a slightly lower open Wednesday as investors remained cautious waiting for Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to announce monetary easing measures at the Jackson Hole symposium later this wee

Asian stock markets ended mixed Wednesday as investors remained in a waiting mode ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s speech at the Jackson Hole symposium.

Asian markets were mixed Wednesday as investors remained watchful waiting for policymakers around the world to announce stimulus measures to boost the faltering global economy.

The euro remained firm while Asian shares steadied Wednesday as investors awaited U.S. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's Friday speech.

Will Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke launch QE3 from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's annual Jackson Hole symposium, which will take place from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1? Economists doubt it.

Seven key events in the next fortnight that will determine whether the now-four-year-old euro zone crisis results in Greece and perhaps also Spain leaving and even whether the monetary union will survive. Here is a list of the seven critical dates with their corresponding events.

Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is fighting for his life after being recently diagnosed with a form of cancer.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a slightly higher open Tuesday as investors follow a waiting strategy anticipating that the Federal Reserve will soon announce stimulus measures to rejuvenate the economic growth.

Asian stock markets mostly ended lower Tuesday as investors await the central bankers' meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyo., to discuss monetary policy later this week.

Risk assets fell Tuesday with the investors awaiting an announcement of some monetary easing measures by the Fed at the meeting of central bankers and economists at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, later in the week.

Markets from stocks to currencies were caught in ranges Tuesday as investors waited for a gathering of central bankers and economists at Jackson Hole, Wyo., later in the week for clues over the Federal Reserve's potential easing options.

The biggest event this week is Friday's Jackson Hole meeting. While this week's economic calendar is rather packed, Wall Street seems to care more about Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech at the Kansas City Fed's annual economic symposium.