Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said today the central bank stands ready to provide further support to a persistently weak economy, but didn't indicate any move was imminent despite fresh signs of feeble growth.

In a much-anticipated speech to global monetary policymakers gathered in Wyoming, Bernanke didn't elaborate on the central bank's remaining tools to boost the economy, which could have been a sign that the Fed was leaning towards action. Instead, he said the Fed would extend its mid-September meeting to two days to discuss options the central bank could pursue.