U.S. Fed sees less certain economic outlook

 　　WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. economy continues to expand at a modest pace, but with weaker or less certain outlook, reported the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.

　　In its latest economic performance survey, the central bank saw either "modest" or "slight" expansion in districts including St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, and San Francisco. But growth in other districts including New York remained sluggish¹ or more slowly.

　　The survey, known as the Beige Book, was based on economic information supplied by the Fed's twelve regional banks and collected during the reporting period from August 27 to October 7.

　　"Contacts generally noted² weaker or less certain outlooks for business conditions," said the central bank.

　　The Fed said that consumer spending "was up slightly" in most districts since the last report, with auto³ sales and tourism leading the way in several of them.

　　Business spending increased somewhat, but many Districts noted restraint in hiring and capital spending plans.

　　U.S. residential⁴ and commercial real estate remained "weak".

　　The Fed also noted that labor⁵ market conditions "were little changed, on balance, in September", with some districts reported only limited and selective demand for new hires.

　　Government data showed that U.S. economy only grew 0.9 percent in the first half year. It is expected to grow faster in the second half of 2011, but may not overpass⁶ 2.5 percent.

1 sluggish   

adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的

参考例句：

• This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
• Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

4 residential   

adj.提供住宿的；居住的；住宅的

参考例句：

• The mayor inspected the residential section of the city.市长视察了该市的住宅区。
• The residential blocks were integrated with the rest of the college.住宿区与学院其他部分结合在了一起。

5 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

6 overpass   

n.天桥，立交桥

参考例句：

• I walked through an overpass over the road.我步行穿过那条公路上面的立交桥。
• We should take the overpass when crossing the road.我们过马路应走天桥。