澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2016-02-07

 In other business news, the embattled retailer² Dick Smith is being investigated by the fair work ombudsman for underpaying workers. Receivers Ferrier Hodgson discovered retail¹ workers have been underpaid by around 2 million dollars. Ferrier Hodgson says up to 3000 current and former retail workers have been underpaid in annual link loading, possibly dating back five years to 2010. 

 

And Rupert Murdoch’s news corp. flatted cost-cutting measures at its Australian operations as its net profit halves. Earnings³ between interests and tax slumped⁴ 20% in the December quarter to around 319 million dollars. Total revenue in the quarter slipped 4% to 3 billion dollars. That’s down for the 4th straight period. 

 

Taking a look at the markets now, and local stocks took a fall as nerves assist over the global economy. And the direction of US interest rates—the ASX 200 finished down just a few points low. And the US dollar fell for the 4th consecutive⁵ session overnight. That’s put a little stress backing to the Aussie. It’s sitting at around 71.8 US cents.

1 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

2 retailer   

n.零售商(人)

参考例句：

• What are the retailer requirements?零售商会有哪些要求呢？
• The retailer has assembled a team in Shanghai to examine the question.这家零售商在上海组建了一支团队研究这个问题。

3 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

4 slumped   

大幅度下降，暴跌( slump的过去式和过去分词 )； 沉重或突然地落下[倒下]

参考例句：

• Sales have slumped this year. 今年销售量锐减。
• The driver was slumped exhausted over the wheel. 司机伏在方向盘上，疲惫得睡着了。

5 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。