VOA标准英语2013--美国失业率下降，但经济增长滞后

 

US Unemployment Falls, but Growth Lags美国失业率下降，但经济增长滞后

WASHINGTON — U.S. companies hired fewer workers than expected last month, and there also were fewer jobs added in May and June. Still, the US Labor¹ Department says the economy added enough jobs in July to lower the unemployment rate to 7.4 percent - the lowest in 4 and a half years. But analysts² say the mixed jobs report suggests a worrisome trend for U.S. workers.

The U.S. economy added 162-thousand jobs in July - a number consistent with slow but steady job growth. Despite a decline in unemployment of 0.2 percent, however, last month’s job numbers suggest employers remain cautious. 

More telling is the quantity and quality of the new jobs. Mark Hamrick heads the Washington Bureau at Bankrate.com.

“The number of hours worked are not impressive, earnings³ declined, and there’s a large number of the composition of the jobs in here - have been part time jobs. So all in all, it’s the quality of the jobs and the quantity of the jobs being created are both very much in question,” said Hamrick.

The number of jobs added last month also was the fewest since March, and well below consensus⁴ expectations of about 185,000. Reaction on Wall Street has been muted. Others remain optimistic, though, about stronger job growth in the second half of the year.

Ken⁵ Simonson, at the National Association for Business Economics, points to the group’s latest survey. “The firms said that, on balance, they had added to their head count over the last quarter, and over the next six months they expect to continue hiring, on balance, at a pretty high rate.

Also on the positive side - manufacturing added six thousand jobs - the first gains since February. And hiring in professional and technology services also increased.

Hamrick said another bright spot for American workers is that global economies are starting to see signs of stability.

“Europe is looking a little better, and China has reported some modest growth. The U.S. economy is dependent on a strong global economy, and that includes U.S. manufacturers. There’s more demand overseas, that helps U.S. manufacturers, and they can start thinking about growth going forward,” he said.

Another issue that investors⁶ likely will not have to worry about is the central bank making any sudden changes in its monetary⁷ policies. Analysts say sluggish⁸ economic growth in the second quarter and smaller than expected job gains in July suggest the Federal Reserve is unlikely to scale back anytime soon on bond purchases that have kept long-term interest rates at record lows.

1 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。

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 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 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

5 ken   

n.视野，知识领域

参考例句：

• Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
• Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.

6 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

7 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

8 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。