VOA常速英语2007-Revised Job Figures Paint Improved Picture of US

By Mil Arcega
Washington
08 October 2007
 

A new government report shows the U.S. economy is not doing as badly as some had initially¹ assumed.  The Labor² Department report shows the economy added 110,000 new jobs in September.  It also revises payroll³ figures from August that initially showed a net loss of 4,000 jobs.  President Bush says the latest numbers shows the U.S. economy is strong. VOA's Mil Arcega reports.

The picture for the U.S. economy appears to be improving.  President Bush said he was pleased with the Labor Department's newly adjusted job figures. In addition to the September jump, the U.S. economy added a total of 118,000 new jobs in July and August.

"With these revisions, it means that we've had 49 consecutive⁴ months of job creation,” said Mr. Bush. “And that's the longest uninterrupted job growth on record for our country."

Stocks gained on Wall Street immediately after the release of the report.

But hedge fund manager Patrick D'Angelo says although there are some bright spots, the U.S. economy is not out of the woods yet.  "I really think what's helping⁵ the market right now is the weak dollar.  People now going forward understand that the housing crisis that we're going through the subprime debacle, is going to continue and as a result, there's a very good chance the Fed is going to cut rates again."

The initial August jobs report was seen as one of the reasons for the central bank's decision last month to lower the interest rate by 50 basis points.  The latest report eases concerns that the economy is declining and makes the Federal Reserve less likely to cut interest rates.

Although a lower exchange rate for the U.S. dollar has made some imported goods more expensive, analysts⁶ say it has also contributed to job growth by giving small and large U.S. companies a competitive edge against foreign competitors.

Robert Hormats is vice⁷ chairman at Goldman Sachs. "At the current moment a weaker dollar is helpful to the American industry and will help to avoid a recession."

Friday's report also showed average hourly wages went up more than four percent from the year before. 

President Bush urged Congress to keep taxes low to allow the economy to continue to grow.

1 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

2 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。

3 payroll   

n.工资表，在职人员名单，工薪总额

参考例句：

• His yearly payroll is $1.2 million.他的年薪是120万美元。
• I can't wait to get my payroll check.我真等不及拿到我的工资单了。

4 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。

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 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。

7 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。