Accessibility links
Fed Chairman Hints at Rate Cut to Calm Economy Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggests another interest rate cut may come to bolster the economy. The worsening credit crunch, a housing slump and rising energy costs are likely to bring "headwinds for the consumer in the months ahead," Bernanke said.
NPR logo

David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/16763752/16763710" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Fed Chairman Hints at Rate Cut to Calm Economy

Economy

Fed Chairman Hints at Rate Cut to Calm Economy

David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/16763752/16763710" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggests another interest rate cut may come to bolster the economy. The worsening credit crunch, a housing slump and rising energy costs are likely to bring "headwinds for the consumer in the months ahead," Bernanke said.

The economy had a strong growth spurt earlier in the year. But forecasters expect less than 1 percent growth this quarter.

David Wessel, economics editor for The Wall Street Journal, speaks with Renee Montagne.