澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2011-04-16

 This year's economic growth figures are expected to be revised down again because of weaker-than-expected consumer demand. It's understood Treasury¹ is now forecasting growth of just 2.25 per cent for the financial year. It's already been revised down a number of times because of the impact of the Queensland floods and the Japanese earthquake.

 

New figures from the European Union show inflation is rising at an alarming rate across the region. It's left analysts² tipping a sharper rise in interest rates. The EU says inflation across the 17 countries jumped to 2.7 per cent in March. That's the highest level in 18 months and well above the European Central Bank's target of 2 per cent. The rise has mostly been driven by transport and housing costs.

 

Inflation is also up in the United States but no more than analysts were expecting. A new government report shows that the consumer price index increased 0.5 per cent in March, but it says underlying³ inflation pressures remain contained. Food and gas prices accounted for almost three quarters of the rise.

 

And taking a look at the US markets now, the Dow and the Nasdaq both closed up. Back home, local shares finished the week in the red. The All Ords lost about two thirds of a per cent. And the Australian dollar is hovering⁴ above 105 US cents.

1 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

2 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。

3 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

4 hovering   

鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫

参考例句：

• The helicopter was hovering about 100 metres above the pad. 直升机在离发射台一百米的上空盘旋。
• I'm hovering between the concert and the play tonight. 我犹豫不决今晚是听音乐会还是看戏。