澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2016-03-02

 

 

Good morning, everyone. Australia’s growth figures are due out today. And most analysts¹ expect they will show the economic growth has slowed. Now experts are tipping that gross domestic product grew by 0.4% in the December quarter that will see annual growth remain weaker than average at 2.5%. Now the slowdown is expected to be mainly due to shrinking mining exports and weak business investment. However, a jump in government’s spending will be an unexpected bright spot along with some solid employment growth.

Meanwhile, fresh data from China has confirmed that its economy is continuing to lose steam. Two major indexes, used to engage the country’s manufacturing activity, indicated a worsening contraction² in the sector³. The bad news comes just after Chinese central bank announced its latest stimulus⁴ measure to boost liquidity⁵. China’s slowing growth has been dragging the global economy as Beijing hopes for a shift towards services and consumption in its domestic market.

Let’s go to the global markets now, and a couple of hours for the close. The Dow was up 1.9%. The Nasdaq is 2.33% higher while the S&P 500 is also up around 2%. In London, the FTSE gained 0.9% overnight. Checking commodity prices, West Texas Crude is trading at 34 US dollars a barrel. Tapis Crude is at 39 US dollars a barrel. And gold is trading at 1230 US dollars an ounce. The Australian dollar is currently buying 72 US cents, 66 euro cents and 51 pence sterling⁶.

1 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

2 contraction   

n.缩略词，缩写式，害病

参考例句：

• The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.肌肉的收缩使前臂抬起。
• The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.扩张力和收缩力相互平衡。

3 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

4 stimulus   

n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物

参考例句：

• Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
• Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。

5 liquidity   

n.流动性，偿债能力，流动资产

参考例句：

• The bank has progressively increased its liquidity.银行逐渐地增加其流动资产。
• The demand for and the supply of credit is closely linked to changes in liquidity.信用的供求和流动资金的变化有密切关系。

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。