英语听力：澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-10-23

 Let's take a look at some finance news now.And official figures out today are expected to show inflation picked up in the September quarter. Economists² are tipping the consumer index rose by 0.8 of a percent over that period. Now that would put the annual inflation rate at 1.8 percent, which is below the Reserve Bank's target range.

 

The Treasurer³ Joe Hockey has appointed a new audit⁴ commission to help get the budget back into surplus. Economist¹ Saul Eslake says the body has the potential to lay out a long-term reform agenda.

 

“I think the audit commission if it does its job well and based on its people who are going to be comprising the audit commission, that...odds⁵ are that it will do a good job. He could lay out a very far-reaching, bold and reformist agenda. If not for this term of governemnt, then for the Coaltion's next term if the people give it one at the next election.”

 

Saul Eslake. Let's look at the markets now. 

 

The Dow has closed 75 points higher. The Nasdaq rose ten points. The S&P 500 also put on ten points. And in London overnight, the FTSE closed 41 points up.

 

Looking at commodity prices.

 

West Texas Crude is trading at 98 US dollars a barrel. Tapis Crude is trading at 119 US dollars a barrel. Gold is worth 1340 US dollars an ounce.

 

The Australian dollar is buying 97 US cents, 70 Euro cents and 60 pence sterling⁶.

1 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。

2 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》

3 treasurer   

n.司库，财务主管

参考例句：

• Mr. Smith was succeeded by Mrs.Jones as treasurer.琼斯夫人继史密斯先生任会计。
• The treasurer was arrested for trying to manipulate the company's financial records.财务主管由于试图窜改公司财政帐目而被拘留。

4 audit   

v.审计；查帐；核对；旁听

参考例句：

• Each year they audit our accounts and certify them as being true and fair.他们每年对我们进行账务审核，以确保其真实无误。
• As usual,the yearly audit will take place in December.跟往常一样，年度审计将在十二月份进行。

5 odds   

n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别

参考例句：

• The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
• Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？

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。