澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-01-23

 And Australian Chamber¹ of Commerce says another interest rate cut is needed to help stimulate² the economy. Its latest survey of nearly 600 companies suggest business confidence haven't shown signs of improvement for nearly three years.

 

And it paints further expectations of weak performance with many firms choosing to delay expansion plans. Chief economist³ Wag Greg Evans says recent reductions haven't done enough to turn things around and more cuts are needed.

 

Britain's triple A credit rating has come under further pressure after another rise in public spending, figures show monthly borrowing was more than expected in December, further endangering the government cost cutting drive.

 

Economists⁴ now believe the chancellor⁵ George Osborne is almost certain to miss his newly revise annual budget target, they fear that Britain will France and the United States, who've already downgraded by 1 credit rating agency.

 

Let's take a look at the markets. The Dow has closed 46 points ahead, the NASDAQ was up slightly. The S&P 500 has gained 6 points. In London overnight, the FTSE closed flat. 

 

To commodity prices, West Texas Crude is trading at $96 a barrel, Tapis Crude is at &119 a barrel. Gold is worth $1691 an ounce. The Australian dollar is buying 106 U.S cents, 79 euro cents, and 67 pence sterling⁶.

1 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

2 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

3 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

4 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

6 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。