In economic news, Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke held a rare question-and-answer session with reporters on Thursday. Bernanke predicted the nation’s unemployment rate would remain high for some time.

Ben Bernanke: “Although economic growth will probably increase this year, we expect the unemployment rate to remain stubbornly above, and inflation to remain persistently below, the levels that Federal Reserve policymakers have judged to be consistent over the longer term with our mandate from the Congress to foster maximum employment and price stability.”