CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Investors expect the Federal Reserve to keep a key interest rate at a historic low level. Why? Because Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said so.

Last week, Bernanke said he anticipates modest economic growth next year. That should push down unemployment, "but at a pace slower than we would like."

The message for investors: No rate hikes for now.

Still, a number of investors see a rate hike coming within the next year as the Fed takes a pre-emptive strike to keep inflation at bay. For the next clues about what the Fed might do with interest rates, investors will pore over every word the Fed says in its statement this week assessing economic conditions.

CENTRAL ASIA CELEBRATING CHINA GAS DEAL

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — The leaders of China and three Central Asian nations gathered yesterday in Turkmenistan ahead of a ceremony inaugurating natural gas deliveries from the energy-rich region to China.

Today, the leaders will assemble at the Samandepe gas field in eastern Turkmenistan to open a pipeline leading through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan into China's far-western Xinjiang region. The pipeline culminates Chinese efforts to secure energy supplies for its fast-growing economy. The route also will enable gas producers in the region to diversify their exports away from Russia.

CHINESE MAY BUY OLD SAAB TECHNOLOGY

STOCKHOLM — General Motors Co. is in talks to sell parts of Saab Automobile's old technology to a Chinese company and the entire brand to another buyer, a person familiar with the negotiations said yesterday.

The person said GM plans to sell the technology behind the Saab models 93 and 95 to Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings. The person, who spoke anonymously, said the sale will help Saab financially but won't stand in the way of a deal to sell the entire Saab brand and its current production to another buyer.

GM declined to comment on the talks.

— Advertiser News Services