US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has warned that the outlook for the US economy remains¹ "unusually uncertain".

美联储主席本·伯南克告诫道，美国经济的前景仍旧“非常不明朗”。

In testimony² before the Senate Banking³ Committee, Mr Bernanke said record low interest rates would still be needed to support economic recovery.

The Fed was also prepared to step in with "further policy actions" to boost the economy if needed, he added.

But he downplayed（不予重视，轻描淡写） fears that the US could re-enter recession.

Some economists⁴ have questioned whether a withdrawal⁵ of economic stimulus⁶ measures could harm the US economy's recovery.

"Even as the Federal Reserve continues prudent⁷（谨慎的，节俭的） planning for the ultimate withdrawal of monetary⁸ policy accommodation（住处，膳宿） , we also recognise that the economic outlook remains unusually uncertain," Mr Bernanke said, in prepared testimony.

"[But] rising demand from households and businesses should help sustain growth," he added.

Rates on hold

The head of the US central bank reiterated⁹（重申） an earlier pledge to keep interest rates at their current historical lows for "an extended period".

Interest rates have been held at between 0% and 0.25% - a move designed to boost lending and spending - since the depths of the financial crisis in 2008.

Inflation was less of a concern, Mr Bernanke also told the committee, with the Fed expecting inflation to remain "subdued¹⁰ over the next several years".

The US economy grew at an annualised（年度的） rate of 2.7% in the first quarter of the year, having emerged from recession last year.

But high unemployment and a slowdown in manufacturing have raised concerns that the recovery is faltering¹¹（蹒跚的，犹豫的） .

Mr Bernanke said that although the Fed would "review its options" if the recovery weakened further, no specific measures were currently being considered for the short-term.

"In short, it look likes our economy is in need of additional help," remarked the head of the committee, Senator Chris Dodd.

Investors¹² on Wall Street reacted negatively to the comments, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 1.3%.