Bernanke: Hold Rates Low Well Past Unemployment Threshold

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says in his final press conference the central bank will hold the federal funds rate near record low levels well past reaching the 6.5% unemployment rate threshold. Moody's Analytics Economist Ben Garber tells TheStreet's Joe Deaux this language suggests the labor rate may reach that level before the central bank feels comfortable to raise interest rates in the recovering economy. The Fed announced on Wednesday it will reduce economic stimulus by $10 billion per month.