英语听力：澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-09-18

 The Reserve Bank has echoed concerns that record low interest rates are fueling a property price bubble. In the minutes of its September meeting, the Central Bank warned that it was crucial for the banks to maintain prudent¹ lending standards.

 

Now the warning comes after the National Monetary² Fund signalled low inflation and low interest rates could create a price bubble. The IMF's called for tighter lending standards to avoid defaults when interest rates rise in the future.

 

Tech giant Microsoft has announced a 40-billion-dollar share buyback and increased dividends⁴ for shareholders⁵. In a statement, Microsoft said the quarterly dividend³ will be raised by 5 cents a share to 28 cents.

 

Microsoft stocks have performed poorly in recent years, increasing by just 8 per cent sicne 2010. The company shares rose 1.4 per cent after the announcement.

 

Let's go the markets. The Dow closed 35 points higher. The Nasdaq put on 28. The S&P 500 rose 7. And in London overnight, the FTSE lost 53. 

 

To commodity markets. 

 

West Texas Crude is trading at 105 US a barrel. Tapis Crude is 115 US dollars a barrel and gold is at 1310 US dollars an ounce. 

 

The Australian dollar is buying 94 US cents, 70 Euro cents and 59 pence sterling⁶.

 

1 prudent   

adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的

参考例句：

• A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
• You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。

2 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

3 dividend   

n.红利，股息；回报，效益

参考例句：

• The company was forced to pass its dividend.该公司被迫到期不分红。
• The first quarter dividend has been increased by nearly 4 per cent.第一季度的股息增长了近 4%。

4 dividends   

红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金

参考例句：

• Nothing pays richer dividends than magnanimity. 没有什么比宽宏大量更能得到厚报。
• Their decision five years ago to computerise the company is now paying dividends. 五年前他们作出的使公司电脑化的决定现在正产生出效益。

5 shareholders   

n.股东( shareholder的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The meeting was attended by 90% of shareholders. 90%的股东出席了会议。
• the company's fiduciary duty to its shareholders 公司对股东负有的受托责任

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。