2011年最后一季度,美国经济以近3%的年率增长,这是一年多来增长最快的时候。增长数据表明,与欧洲相比,美国更强势,更容易从经济衰退中走出来。Ian Pannell报道。
It will be wrong to think that the latest figures are unbridled good news, but they are seen by some as grounds for optimism. They show a small improvement in the US economy, and certainly given the news from Europe, America appears to be in a stronger position. Consumer confidence is up, and Americans blew the cobwebs from their wallets and purses and spent more on cars, trucks and durable goods at the end of last year. Companies stocked their shelves and invested in new equipment, and unemployment, though high, has fallen for six months in a row.
如果你认为最近的这组数据是极大的利好消息,那你就错了,但在一些人看来,这足以是乐观的理由。这表明美国经济已小有进步,而且根据欧洲的情况来看,美国显然处于更强势地位。消费者的信心在上涨,美国人吹吹钱包上的灰尘,在去年年底花更多钱来买汽车、卡车和耐用品。各公司盘点货架并投资新设备,失业率尽管仍很高,但已下降连续六个月了。
The credit ratings agency Fitch has downgraded the status of Spain and Italy. Three other countries - Belgium, Slovenia and Cyprus - were also marked down. Fitch, which is based in the United States, said the countries were vulnerable to monetary and financial shocks, and there was a 50% chance they would suffer further downgrades over the next two years.