While Bernanke acknowledged the U.S. economy has improved, he said the jobless rate may remain elevated for some time. The remarks deflated market perceptions that last week's strong jobs data would lead the U.S. central bank to raise rates.
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 1.21 points, or 0.01 percent, at 10,390.11. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 2.73 points, or 0.25 percent, at 1,103.25. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 4.74 points, or 0.22 percent, at 2,189.61.
NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Monday for the fourth session in a row, to below $74 a barrel, pressured by continued concern for the economy.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Monday cautioned that, while the U.S. economy has improved, recovery remains fragile.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude
CBOT-SOYBEANS - January
combined to lift soybean futures in addition to outlooks for dwindling U.S. soy supplies amid brisk exports.
CBOT-SOYOIL - December
FCPO-JAKARTA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures edged down on Monday on profit-taking, after hitting a fresh six-month high, but the fall was limited thanks to stronger rival soybean oil prices, traders said.
Investors took a cautious stance ahead of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board's (MPOB) release of November stocks data on Thursday although they were still bullish on the price outlook, traders said.
The benchmark February contract
REGIONAL EQUITIES-JAKARTA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stocks ended mixed
on Monday, with Indonesia's key index <.JKSE> down 1.1 percent, led by mining and financial stocks, while Vietnam <.VNI> rose 0.7 percent.
Singapore's index <.FTSTI> inched up 0.2 percent, while Malaysia <.KLSE> eased 0.38 percent and the Philippines <.PSI> lost 0.5 percent. The market in Thailand <.SETI> was closed on Monday for a holiday.
Commodity trading firm Noble Group
In Kuala Lumpur, the second-largest mobile phone provider Axiata Group Bhd