Uneasy markets await key Bernanke speech

US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is gearing up to deliver a key speech on the ailing US economy today - with markets looking on for hints of further stimulus.

A year ago, Bernanke used a speech in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to pave the way for $600bn (£368bn) of quantitative easing (QE) - the process of injecting cash into the financial system to try to boost the economy. And with data earlier this month pointing to continuing sluggish growth in the US and Europe, some expect Bernanke to act again and launch a third round of QE. To date, a total of $2.3trn has been injected in a bid to revitalise the recovery. Shares have rallied all week in anticipation that the Federal Reserve will act to reinvigorate the US economy, although markets close...