Federal Reserve

The US economy grew at a 2% annual rate in the third quarter, faster than in the previous three months.

Nouriel Roubini, the economist dubbed ‘Dr Doom' for forecasting the sub-prime crisis, believes the US economy is a "fiscal train wreck" waiting to happen.

ON NORTH AMERICA

The Federal Reserve is set to embark on a programme of measured quantitative easing next week, avoiding the ‘shock and awe' system used during the financial crisis.

The US dollar has sunk to a fresh 15-year low against the yen after the G20 nations pledged to avoid a currency war.

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has given his strongest signal yet that he will begin another round of quantative easing in the US.

The release of the minutes of the US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) on 21 September show a widespread support for a round of quantitative easing (QE).

Investment banking giant JPMorgan says there is a 75% chance the Federal Reserve will begin another round of quantitative easing by end of this year.

The US central bank has decided not to take further action to rejuvenate the country's economy but hinted it may do more later if needed.

The Dow Jones has made early gains in trading as investors await the Fed's rate decision tomorrow and a possible extension of its quantitative easing programme.