Last Updated: February 24th, 2009: 12:00 PM ET---The major US equity indices are fluctuating in the green, currently sporting decent gains, as investors listen to Chairman Bernanke testify before the Senate Banking Committee. Ben Bernanke said that the US economy was in a "severe" contraction, adding that this recession may last into 2010 unless policy makers can find a way to stabilize the nation's financial market. Bernanke also said that "downside risks probably outweigh those on the upside." Market participants reacted negatively to the report, sending the indices off their session highs. All ten major economic sectors are trading with gains, although the energy sector is providing leadership, up 1.4%, followed by a 1% gain in utilities. The Dow is currently trading with a 0.8% gain, to 7,164 while the Nasdaq is trading 1% higher to 1,401 and the S&P 500 is trading 0.9% higher to 750.

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