🎧 Audio
📖 Script
In the United States, corporate bankruptcies are increasing at an alarming rate. This year, they are expected to reach the highest level in 15 years. Rob Schmitz from NPR had a conversation with Edward Altman, a professor at New York University who is an expert in corporate bankruptcies, to understand the reasons behind this trend.
Professor Altman explained that one of the main causes is the rising interest rates. When interest rates go up, it becomes more expensive for companies to borrow money. This can be especially challenging for businesses that are already struggling financially. As a result, they may find it difficult to pay their debts, leading to bankruptcy.
Another factor contributing to the increase in bankruptcies is the high level of corporate debt. Over the years, many companies have borrowed large amounts of money to expand their operations or invest in new projects. However, with the changing economic conditions, these companies are now finding it hard to manage their debt.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in this situation. During the pandemic, many businesses faced reduced revenues due to lockdowns and decreased consumer spending. Although some industries have recovered, others are still facing challenges. Companies in the retail and hospitality sectors, for example, have been hit particularly hard.
Professor Altman also mentioned that some companies have been slow to adapt to technological changes. In today’s fast-paced world, staying up-to-date with technology is crucial for business success. Companies that fail to innovate may lose their competitive edge, making it harder for them to survive in a challenging economic environment.
Despite the grim outlook, there are steps that companies can take to avoid bankruptcy. These include cutting unnecessary expenses, restructuring their debt, and exploring new business opportunities. By being proactive and making strategic decisions, companies can improve their chances of survival even in tough economic times.
📝 Vocabulary
- bankrupt: unable to pay debts
例文: “The company went bankrupt after failing to manage its finances.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- declare bankrupt
- go bankrupt
- bankrupt company
破産した - debt: money owed to others
例文: “The business struggled under the weight of its debt.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- pay off debt
- incur debt
- debt crisis
借金 - interest rate: the cost of borrowing money
例文: “Higher interest rates can make loans more expensive for businesses.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- raise interest rates
- lower interest rates
- interest rate hike
金利 - innovate: to introduce new ideas
例文: “Companies must innovate to remain competitive.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- innovate products
- innovate solutions
- innovate technology
革新する - revenue: income from business activities
例文: “The store’s revenue decreased during the pandemic.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- generate revenue
- increase revenue
- revenue growth
収入
✏️ Grammar Point
Conditional Sentences – “If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
条件に基づいた結果や予測を述べる際に使用されます。ビジネス会議や将来の計画を立てる際に便利です。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: Corporate bankruptcies in the U.S. are expected to reach a 10-year high this year.
- MCQ: What is one of the main causes of the increase in bankruptcies?
a) Decreased consumer spending
b) Rising interest rates
c) Increased competition
d) Poor management - MCQ: Which sectors have been particularly affected by the pandemic?
a) Technology and healthcare
b) Retail and hospitality
c) Finance and agriculture
d) Manufacturing and energy
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) Rising interest rates
- b) Retail and hospitality
📚 Reading Questions
- What are two main causes of the rise in corporate bankruptcies in the U.S.?
- Why might companies struggle to pay their debts when interest rates rise?
- What does the word “innovate” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- Rising interest rates and high level of corporate debt.
- Because higher interest rates make borrowing money more expensive.
- To introduce new ideas or methods.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
アメリカで企業の破産が増加しており、今年は15年ぶりの高水準に達する見込みです。このトレンドの背景には、利率の上昇や高い企業債務が影響しています。利率が上がると、企業は借金が高くつくため、特に財務的に厳しい企業にとっては負担が増します。さらに、コロナウイルスのパンデミックも大きな影響を及ぼしました。多くの企業が収益減少に直面し、特に小売業やホスピタリティ産業では回復が遅れています。今後、企業が生き残るためには、コスト削減や新たなビジネス機会の追求などの戦略的な決定が求められます。
