The Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, said that the recovery had lost more strength than expected and the Fed was ready to take further measures if necessary to boost a faltering economy .

"The committee is prepared to provide additional monetary relief through unconventional measures if necessary, especially if the outlook deteriorates significantly," he said in remarks prepared for the annual meeting of the Fed

Bernanke's words come just after the country's government has revised downward the economic growth figures for the second quarter in eight tenths to leave it at 1.6%.

Although the data was better than analysts expected, still a very weak growth.

Bernanke admitted that the global economy is recovering more slowly than expected after he suffered a deep recession last year.

"The recovery of growth and employment in the United States has slowed in recent months and is within walking somewhat weaker" than expected, Bernanke said.

Possible measures

In any case, the U.S. central bank chief did not clarify what those measures to boost the economy but has reviewed the effectiveness of some taken so far.

Bernanke said that purchases of long-term securities by the Fed have been effective in reducing the cost of borrowing and said he thought that the benefits of buying more of those assets, if necessary, would offset any disadvantages.

Other options, such as a commitment to keep interest rates exceptionally low for a period even more than it currently expects the market, or increase inflation targets, the Fed would be less effective, he said.

However, he made clear that the Fed has not decided how to carry out this additional relief.

Recovery in 2011

Still, Bernanke said that the conditions for an acceleration next year.

Thus, in his speech, Bernanke noted some positive aspects of U.S. economic conditions, including "an increase in recent quarters the rate of household savings in an average of almost 6% of disposable income, more than 4 % calculated above. "

"In the business sector, real investment in equipment and software (computer) rose at an annual rate of over 20% in the first half of the year," he said.

But it remains the high unemployment rate and, according to Bernanke, "is likely to decline only slowly"

Information published in elmundo.es .