US Ben Bernanke said on Friday the Federal Reserve would act as needed to ease the impact of recent market turmoil on the economy, in a speech widely interpreted as opening the door to possible interest rate cuts.
Most analysts viewed the remarks as a sign that the Fed is virtually certain to lower rates at its September 18 policy meeting, although the Fed chairman, who said the effects of market turmoil remained uncertain, did not make any commitment to do so.
