商贸英语|2008年1月11日 伯南克：美联储筹备大力降息

美联储主席本?伯南克的措辞出现明显变化，他昨日表示，美联储筹备大力降息，以防止美国经济出现衰退的风险。

In a dramatic change of tone, Ben Bernanke yesterday indicated that the Federal Reserve is ready to cut interest rates aggressively to ward^{1 off the risk of a US recession.}

伯南克表示：大家已做好筹备，在必要时采取很多附加行动，以支持经济增长，并提供额外保障，以防范下行风险。

The Fed chairman said we stand ready to take substantive^{2 additional action as needed to support growth and to provide additional insurance against downside risks.}

此番言论代表了来自美联储最新讯息，就在去年12月份，美联储强调经济前景的不确定性。此言一出，股市起初应声暴涨。

The language which initially^{3 sent stocks soaring represents a new message from the Fed, which as recently as December emphasised the uncertainty4 surrounding the economic outlook.}

投资者表示，伯南克讲话将增强市场有关美联储将在本月的货币政策会议上降息50个基点的预期。

Investors^{5 said Mr Bernankes comments would reinforce expectations the Fed will cut interest rates by 50 basis points at its policy meeting this month.}

一直处于跌势的规范普尔500指数大幅上涨，不过后来涨幅收窄。美国国债收益率回吐了早些时候的涨幅，USD兑欧元汇率下跌0.8%，至1.4783USD。

The SP 500 index, which had been down, rallied sharply, though gains later subsided^{6. Treasury7 yields pared their earlier rise, while the dollar fell against the euro, trading 0.8 per cent lower at $1.4783.}

伯南克表示，住宅需要好像已进一步走软。油价高企、股价下跌及房价不断缩水也会压制消费支出。

The Fed chairman said demand for housing seems to have weakened further. High oil prices, lower equity^{8 prices and softening9 home values were also likely to weigh on consumer spending.}

他警告，金融形势仍较为疲弱，很多筹资市场仍未恢复。金融情况继续对经济增长前景形成一种下行风险。

He warned that the financial situation remains fragile and many funding markets remain impaired^{10. Financial conditions continue to pose a downside risk to the outlook for growth.}

早些时候，欧洲央行加强警告力度，称欧元区利率水平仍大概上升，尽管欧洲央行将利率保持在4%不变。

Earlier, the European Central Bank stepped up its warnings that eurozone rates may yet rise, even though the ECB left rates unchanged at 4 per cent.

欧洲央行行长让-克劳德?特里谢表示，欧洲央行筹备先发制人，以防止过度的薪资需要。

Jean-Claude Trichet, ECB president, said the bank was prepared to act pre-emptively to avoid excessive wage demands.

但特里谢承认，美国经济所面临的风险正不断成为现实，他本月宣布两次新的USD流动性拍卖。同时，英国央行也保持英国利率不变。

But Mr Trichet admitted that risks to the US economy were materialising and announced two fresh auctions^{11 for US dollar liquidity12 this month. Meanwhile, the Bank of England also left UK interest rates unchanged.}