Federal Reserve

Perhaps most troubling for the administration was that one of the few measures to succeed Thursday was an amendment by Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) that would subject the Federal Reserve to unprecedented scrutiny. ...

Industrial production edged up a smaller-than-expected 0.1 percent in October. Activity at electric and gas utilities drove the gain, but production at factories — the single biggest slice of industrial output — declined.

Officials at the Federal Reserve have stepped up consumer protection efforts. They proposed new rules that would ban many of the fees that eat into the value of gift cards.

Wholesale prices rose less than expected in October as the weak economy keeps inflation pressures largely in check. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Monday that inflation probably will remain "subdued for some time."

A House committee has approved a bill sponsored by Republican Ron Paul to expand congressional oversight of the Federal Reserve. Steve Henn reports. KAI RYSSDAL: About those central banks and their role in all this that Bob mentioned.

SUSIE GHARIB: You probably heard about the real estate bubble or the tech bubble. Now we may have new bubbles to worry about. The recent run-ups in many markets have fired up debate about what's being called asset price bubbles.

SUSIE GHARIB: More Americans are falling behind on their mortgages. The Mortgage Bankers Association says the number of homeowners who are delinquent on their payments is at a record high.

SUSIE GHARIB: Moderate growth, subdued inflation and low interest rates: that was the message today from Ben Bernanke. Those comments about the U.S. economy from the Federal Reserve chairman were just what investors wanted to hear.