美国有线新闻 CNN 通货膨胀忧虑导致美股持续动荡

 

AZUZ: In modern economic terms, inflation occurs when the things and services we buy get more expensive and our money doesn't go as far as it used to. Concerns about inflation are a major reason why the U.S. stock market has been so volatile¹ lately. It said the market is driven by fear and greed, and recently, investors² have been afraid inflation will hit the economy.

That's why the Dow Jones Industrial Average of 30 significant stocks saw another major drop yesterday, closing down 1,033 points even though the economy is considered strong.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: What's driving market turmoil³? The biggest reason is fear of inflation.

Look at the job market. Job gains are strong and unemployment is historically low. Businesses are struggling to find and keep workers. So, yes, that means they have to pay them more. Wages are finally going up, which is great for Main Street, but Wall Street is worried.

For years, steady growth in the economy and low inflation were great for stocks. Corporate⁴ profits soared, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates low. But if inflation picks up, the Fed could be forced to raise interest rates more aggressively than expected.

And the market is addicted⁵ to low rates. Higher rates could deflate stocks. That's because higher interest rates tap the economy's brakes, making it more expensive for businesses to borrow money, to invest and grow.

Fueling these fears about inflation is tax reform, yes, tax cuts drove breathtaking market gains, pushing the Dow up 8,000 points. But giving a cash injection to an already healthy economy can have side effects like inflation.

Look, inflation is still historically low, don't get me wrong. And overall, it's been relatively⁶ stable since the stagflation of the 1970s.

Experts at the Fed expect that trend to continue, predicting inflation under 2 percent this year. But investors aren't so sure.

For now, it's too early to tell if the market is actually overheating or just pausing its epic⁷ bull run.

1 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

2 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

3 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

4 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

5 addicted   

adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的

参考例句：

• He was addicted to heroin at the age of 17.他17岁的时候对海洛因上了瘾。
• She's become addicted to love stories.她迷上了爱情小说。

6 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

7 epic   

n.史诗，叙事诗；adj.史诗般的，壮丽的

参考例句：

• I gave up my epic and wrote this little tale instead.我放弃了写叙事诗，而写了这个小故事。
• They held a banquet of epic proportions.他们举行了盛大的宴会。