APFederal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke GDP data Wednesday is expected to show a slow-moving, zombie-like economy, as the Fed meets for a second day. Many economists expect second quarter growth to be paltry, less than one percent, and some think that data could help shape the Fed's thinking if it's even weaker than expected. The first quarter grew at a 1.8 percent rate. The Fed meanwhile, isn't expected to say much new when its meeting ends. The 2 p.m. Eastern time statement isn't seen altering what Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has already said about the Fed's plans to taper bond purchases before the end of the year. But it may adjust its comments to reflect a temporary slowing of the economy. The Fed, and many economists, expect a stronger growth rate in the second half of the year. "[Wednesday] is an action-packed today. It's one of those weird ones where it's so action-packed, what if it is a dud?" said George Goncalves, Treasury strategist at Nomura Americas. "We have all these high expectations -- GDP, revisions to GDP, ADP, the Treasury going to announce at 8:30 their intentions for borrowing. We have the Fed later on."
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