VOA标准英语2009年-US Billionaire Bets Big on US Economy

By Mil Arcega
Washington
05 November 2009

 
Warren Buffett
American billionaire investor² Warren Buffett has cast a big vote of confidence on the U.S. economy by purchasing one of the nation's largest rail systems. The deal, worth $44 billion, marks the single biggest investment ever undertaken by Buffett's company. Analysts⁴ say it's also a big gamble on the economic future of the United States.

To determine if the economy is on the right track, Warren Buffett says look to the nation's railroads.

"I do think things like rail car holdings are important," Buffet¹ said. "I mean, that is telling you what is coming into this country, going out, and so on."

But after acquiring the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail system in a deal valued at $44 billion - some analysts wonder if the world's second richest man knows something they don't.

"I think he perceives the economy to be better than most other people perceive it to be at this point," noted⁵ analyst³ Ira Silver, "and sees economic growth as positive going forward for a long time."

Economists⁷ see the investment, by Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway group, which already owns 22 percent of the rail company, as a bet on future prosperity. At $100 a share, the deal is worth more than Burlington's estimated earnings⁸.

Economist⁶ John Ryding says it's a venture that succeeds only if consumers resume their old spending habits.

"Railroad's have been one of the oldest investments in the United States and here they are, it's a 21st century technology for moving goods around the country. It's really also a vote of confidence in the economic recovery," Ryding said.

 
Buffett says efficient railroad system is vital to U.S. prosperity
Buffett admits he's unsure about the immediate⁹ future but adds that an efficient railroad system is vital to U.S. prosperity. Ira Silver says it's a big gamble, but one that might work if the U.S. economy recovers.

"He's putting all this money behind an industry that pretty much is an indicator¹⁰ of the economic growth in the U.S. economy," Silver said.

Burlington Northern transports a variety of cargo¹¹ from coal to grain. It's also the second largest rail operator in the United States with over 32,000 miles of track.

1 buffet   

n.自助餐；饮食柜台；餐台

参考例句：

• Are you having a sit-down meal or a buffet at the wedding?你想在婚礼中摆桌宴还是搞自助餐？
• Could you tell me what specialties you have for the buffet?你能告诉我你们的自助餐有什么特色菜吗？

2 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。

3 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

4 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。

5 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。

6 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

7 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 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%。

9 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

10 indicator   

n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器

参考例句：

• Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。
• His left-hand indicator is flashing.他左手边的转向灯正在闪亮。

11 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。