VOA标准英语2009年-US Economy Shrinks More Than Expected in Fourth

A U.S. government report released Friday shows that output in the U.S. economy fell at a faster pace in the October to December quarter than previously¹ reported. Gross domestic product fell at more than a six percent rate.
　
Hand-lettered sign stands in window of art gallery headed for closure in New Orleans, Louisiana, 7 Feb. 2009

It was the worst quarterly performance for the U.S. economy in 26 years. Output declined at a 6.2 percent rate in the October to December period. Last month the government agency that collects economic data said the 4th quarter decline was a more modest 3.8 percent. The figures will be revised again next month as more data becomes available.

Economists³ are divided as to whether the pace of output shrinkage is accelerating or stabilizing⁴. The 4th quarter pace of decline was more severe than what most forecasters expected. John Silvia, chief economist² at Wachovia Bank, says the fourth quarter was likely the lowest point of the recession that began in December 2007.

"The fourth quarter was the worst quarter in the recession," he said. "Each quarter going forward is probably going to be a smaller negative number. "

Silvia bases his relative optimism on the likely impact of increased government spending that is intended to cushion the economic decline and stimulate⁵ recovery.

"I would say that in the private sector⁶ you're probably going to have [continued] recession," he said on Bloomberg Television. "It's only the government spending that is really going to get you positive GDP numbers, probably by the fourth quarter of this year."

For all of 2008 the U.S. economy registered a 1.1 percent advance, due mainly to significant growth in the second quarter of the year. An overall decline is expected for 2009.

Bad as the U.S. numbers are, they are even worse in Japan. The Japanese economy - the second biggest - is contracting at a 10 percent rate in the latest period. The global downturn is impacting all of the major industrial economies with Europe, North America and Japan all registering output shrinkage. Leaders of nations comprising 80 percent of global output, the Group of 20, will meet April 2 in London to discuss coordinated⁷ measures to lift the global economy out of its worst downturn in 60 years.

1 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

2 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。

3 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》

4 stabilizing   

n.稳定化处理[退火]v.（使）稳定， （使）稳固( stabilize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The disulfide bridges might then be viewed primarily as stabilizing components. 二硫桥可以被看作是初级的稳定因素。 来自辞典例句
• These stabilizing design changes are usually not desirable for steady-state operation. 这些增加稳定性的设计改变通常不太符合稳态工作的要求。 来自辞典例句

5 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

6 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

7 coordinated   

adj.协调的

参考例句：

• The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法