Ben Bernanke Press Conference Video

Mr. Bernanke said the Fed will use a balanced approach in determining when and how quickly to raise rates. Fed policy makers said that they expect the Fed rate to stay very low as long as the unemployment rate remains above 6.5%, projected shorter-term inflation is no more than 2.5% and longer-term inflation expectations continue to be well anchored. He said that the inflation would be well below 2%. Mr. Bernanke said "no single indicator" provides a complete assessment of the labor market. The Fed will look to measures such the level of discouraged workers and the labor-force-participation rate in addition to the unemployment rate. Mr. Bernanke said that the threshold numbers would be based on substantial analysis. He said that Fed QE would continue till we have substantial employment gains.