US economic outlook 'optimistic'
The US economic outlook has become "cautiously （谨慎的）optimistic", according to the latest issue of the Federal Reserve's influential 1 Beige Book.
Five of the 12 districts surveyed said there were signs of improvement, with five showing signs of stabilisation（稳定） since the last report in July.
Overall, economic activity "continued to stabilise", the report said.
Many economists 2 believe the US economy has bottomed（触底） out and is slowly starting to recover.
The mildly upbeat report had little impact on stock markets.
Weak demand
Most regions reported some improvement in residential 3 property markets, despite "downward pressure on home prices".
They also reported "modest（温和） improvements" in the manufacturing sector 4.
But the report also found that retail 5 sales in the majority of districts remained flat.
This is particularly important in the US where consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of overall economic activity.
It also found that demand for commercial property remained weak and that demand for loans was subdued 6 - figures released on Tuesday showed that US consumers slashed 7 their borrowing by a record amount in July.
The Beige Book, compiled eight times a year and used to help set interest rates, is based on a survey of business views from around the US. (本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)
- He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
- He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。
- 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》
- The mayor inspected the residential section of the city.市长视察了该市的住宅区。
- The residential blocks were integrated with the rest of the college.住宿区与学院其他部分结合在了一起。
- 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。
- In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
- These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。