2024可能只有一次降息
The U.S. Federal Reserve announced on May 1 that it would not be cutting interest rates until having “greater confidence” that inflation is nearing its 2% target rate.
美國聯準會於5月1日宣布，直到對通膨接近2%的目標率有「更大信心」時才會降息。
not…until…直到…才…near(v.)靠近;接近=come near to=approach
With the monthly inflation rate sitting at 3.36% for April and some experts forecasting that it may only drop to 2.75% this year, CNBC reported that there was “not much reason for the Fed to be easing policy.”
由於4月份的月度通膨率為3.36%，一些專家預測今年通膨率可能只會降至2.75%，CNBC報導稱，聯準會目前「沒有太多理由放鬆政策」。
forecast(v.)預測=predict=projectease(v.)使寬鬆easy monetary policy寬鬆的貨幣政策
This decision to keep rates unchanged was made public shortly after the conclusion of the most recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting, at which the Fed adopted its monetary policy based on the latest “economic and financial conditions” as well as projected long-term economic growth risks.
這一維持利率不變的決定是在最近一次聯邦公開市場委員會會議結束後不久公佈的，會議中聯準會根據最新的「經濟和金融狀況」以及預期的長期經濟增長風險，採取了其貨幣政策。
unchanged(adj.)不變的=not changed=unalteredshortly after…在…不久之後conclusion(n.)結尾=endwhich=the meetingmonetary (adj.)貨幣的monetary policy貨幣政策based on…根據…projected(adj.)預期的=predicted=expected
The determining factor at April’s meeting was data from “several hotter-than-expected reports” showing that the U.S. economy, while “stable if not on the rise,” was still experiencing “ever-present” inflation.
4月份會議的決定因素是「幾份熱度高於預期的報告」所提供的數據，這些數據顯示美國經濟雖然「穩定但未必增長」，但仍在經歷「持續存在的」通膨。
determining factor決定性因素=key factor=decisive elementstable(adj.)穩定的ever-present(adj.)持續存在的ever-changing(adj.)不斷變化或發展的=constantly changing or developingever-changing technology不斷發展的科技
Consequently, the Fed decided to keep its benchmark interest rates at a “two-decade high” of around 5.3%.
因此，聯準會決定將基準利率維持在「二十年來的高點」，約5.3%左右。
consequently(adv.)因此=as a consequence=as a result=thereforebenchmark interest rates基準利率benchmark(n.)基準(點)
Commenting on this, Chair Jerome Powell said: “In recent months, inflation has shown a lack of further progress toward our 2% objective.”
聯準會主席鮑爾在評論此事時表示：「近幾個月來，通膨未能進一步朝我們2%的目標邁進。」
Commenting on this...=While he was commenting on this...progress toward…朝…邁進objective(n.)目標=target=goal
He then noted that while any move to lower rates would have to wait until there was evidence to support the decision, he did expect that inflation would decrease by the end of the year.
他隨後指出，雖然任何降息措施都需等待有證據支持的情況下才能進行，但他預計通膨會在年底前下降。
evidence(n.)證據=proof
Looking at possible scenarios for the coming months, Powell stated that interest rates would likely remain unchanged if hiring in the U.S. job market “stayed strong and ‘inflation is moving sideways.’”
展望未來幾個月的可能情況，鮑爾表示，如果美國就業市場的招聘「保持強勁且『通膨持平』」，利率可能會保持不變。
Looking at…=While he was looking at…scenario(n.)可能發生的事態、設想、場景the worst-case scenario最壞的情況sideways(adv.)側向地的move sideways持平(沒有顯著上升或下降)
However, he said that rates could be reduced if inflation “continued to cool” or if there was a sudden spike in unemployment.
不過，他也提到，如果通膨「繼續降溫」或失業率突然飆升，則可能會降息。
spike(n.)飆升、激增=sudden increase=surge
This news came in stark contrast to the expectations with which many market observers entered the year, anticipating the Fed to make six or more interest rate cuts.
這一消息與許多市場觀察者年初的預期形成鮮明對比，他們曾預期聯準會進行六次或更多的降息。
in stark contrast to sth. 與～形成鮮明對比stark(adj.)鮮明的=sharpanticipate(v.)預期、期待=expect
As of late May, however, the general consensus among experts is that there will likely be one — but no more than two — rate cuts in 2024.
然而，截至5月下旬，專家普遍認為2024年可能只有一次、但不會超過兩次的降息。
as of…截至…為止consensus(n.)共識reach a consensus達成共識