三季度美國經濟增長強勁

US growth heated up more than initially thought in the third quarter, while a key measure of housing prices surpassed its pre-recession peak, in the latest sign that Donald Trump will inherit a brightening economy.

今年第三季度，美國的增長超出了最初預期，而一項關鍵房價指標超過了衰退前的峯值。這一最新跡象表明，唐納德.特朗普(Donald Trump)將要繼承一個前景光明的經濟。

The world’s biggest developed market grew at an annualised rate of 3.2 per cent in the third quarter, according to a second reading of gross domestic product from the commerce department.

根據美國商務部第二次給出的美國國內生產總值(GDP)數據，這個全球最大發達國家第三季度的年化增長率爲3.2%。

That compares with Wall Street estimates of 3 per cent and an initial reading of 2.9 per cent.

這一數字超過了華爾街3%的估計，也超過了2.9%的初值。

The data released yesterday confirm that the economy expanded in the third quarter at the fastest rate in two years, representing a sharp pick-up from the 0.8 per cent and 1.4 per cent pace logged in the first and second quarters.

這一在昨天發佈的數據，確認了美國經濟在第三季度出現了兩年內最快增長速度，相對一季度的0.8%和二季度的1.4%出現大幅上揚。

Consumption growth, a key element of US economic output, was revised higher to a 2.8 per cent pace, from the previous reading of 2.1 per cent.

作爲美國經濟產出關鍵元素的消費增長速度，也從此前的2.1%調高至2.8%。

As opposed to the initial GDP reading, which was boosted by unseasonably large soyabean exports and inventory rebuilding, the composition of growth is now much stronger, according to Andrew Hollenhorst, a Citigroup strategist.

花旗集團(Citigroup)策略師安德魯.霍倫霍斯特(Andrew Hollenhorst)表示，與受到反季節性大規模大豆出口和重建庫存推高的GDP初值不同，現在增長的構成要強勁得多，

In particular, strength in consumption bodes well for growth in coming quarters.

特別是，消費強勁對未來幾個季度的增長是個好兆頭。

Separately, a closely-watched measure of US home prices in September shot past a peak set at the height of the housing boom in 2006,

另外，一項受到密切關注的美國房價衡量指標，在9月份超過了2006年樓市繁榮時期創下的峯值。

as home prices across the nation continued to post steady gains that could signal the post-recession housing market has turned a critical corner.

與此同時，美國全國房價繼續錄得穩步增長，這或許預示着後衰退時代的樓市已出現關鍵轉機。

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national price index reported a 5.5 per cent annual gain in September, surpassing a high notched in July 2006 amid the housing boom.

9月份標準普爾CoreLogic Case-Shiller全國房價指數錄得5.5%的同比增長率，超過了2006年7月樓市繁榮期間錄得的最高值。

The signs of strength in the US economy as Mr Trump prepares to assume the presidency are in stark contrast to those inherited by his predecessor,

在特朗普準備就任美國總統之際，美國經濟勢頭強勁的種種跡象，與其前任巴拉克.奧巴馬(Barack Obama)上任時形成了鮮明對比。

Barack Obama, who took office at the depths of the financial crisis.

後者上任時美國正處於金融危機的水深火熱之中。

Mr Trump has vowed to further ramp up US economic growth to about 3.5 per cent a year on average through the most pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-family plan put forth perhaps in the history of our country.

特朗普已承諾要通過也許是美國曆史上實施的最支持增長、支持就業、支持家庭的計劃，將美國經濟增速進一步提升至平均每年約3.5%的水平。

The billionaire property developer plans to boost the economy through a mixture of government spending, lower taxes and looser regulations.

這位身家億萬的房地產開發商計劃通過擴大政府開支、減稅和放鬆監管等多種手段的配合，提振美國經濟。

The US economy was on track to continue to grow and had generated some momentum for faster growth before the November election.

在11月大選前，美國經濟就處於繼續增長的軌道上，並已出現了一些增長加快的勢頭。

If enacted, Donald Trump’s fiscal proposals will shift the economy to a higher gear, noted Ward McCarthy, chief financial economist at Jefferies.

唐納德.特朗普的財政提案如果實行，將把美國經濟增速調至更高檔位，傑富瑞(Jefferies)首席金融經濟學家沃德.麥卡錫(Ward McCarthy)指出。

While Wall Street economists have marked up their estimates for growth since the November 8 election, they still remain well below Mr Trump’s targets, at 2.2 per cent for both 2017 and 2018, a Bloomberg survey shows.

彭博(Bloomberg)的一份調查顯示，雖然在11月8日的選舉以來，華爾街的經濟學家已經調高他們對增長的估測，預計美國2017年和2018年均增長2.2%，但這些數值仍遠低於特朗普的目標。

Economists have also warned that Mr Trump’s protectionist trade and immigration stances could dim those positive effects.

經濟學家還警告稱，特朗普的保護主義貿易和移民立場可能削弱那些積極作用。