Rates

Bernanke’s press conference the Fed  left the benchmark interest rate in a range of zero to 0.25 percent, where it’s been since December 2008, and said borrowing costs would remain low for “an extended period.”

“While it’s very, very important for us to try to help the economy create jobs and to support the recovery, I think every central banker understands that keeping inflation low and stable is absolutely essential to a successful economy,” Bernanke said.