澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-08-28（在线收听）

The US government has slashed second quarter growth signaling a more pronounced slowdown in the recovery from recession. Gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 1.6 per cent instead of the 2.4 per cent estimated by the Commerce Department last month. The government said that was mainly due to its massive trade deficit and weak private inventory investment.

US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the figures show economic recovery in America has softened more than expected and the Fed is ready to take further steps if needed to stimulate growth. He said those steps could be unconventional if the US economic outlook deteriorates significantly.

And to the numbers, Wall Street finished in the black as investor shooks off a revenue warning from technology company Intel, and that downbeat assessment from Ben Bernanke. The Dow Jones, the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ all put on about 1.6 per cent. Across the Atlantic, British stocks ended two straight weeks of losses lifted by Telecoms. And Australian stocks finished the week higher after a cautious day's trade. The All Ords added 15 points and the ASX 200 put on 14.