英語学習

英語ニュース教材：Unemployment steady, ASX just misses record close, energy stocks bounce on oil spike — as it happened（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

In recent economic news, Australia’s unemployment rate has remained steady. This stability in employment can sometimes lead to increased pressure on interest rates. When the unemployment rate is low, it often means more people are working and earning money, which can increase spending. As a result, central banks may consider raising interest rates to control inflation.

At the same time, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) came very close to reaching a record high. This was largely due to strong performances from several companies and a rise in oil prices. When companies report positive results, it often boosts investor confidence, leading to an increase in stock prices. Additionally, when the price of oil goes up, energy stocks typically benefit because companies in this sector can earn higher profits.

The steady unemployment rate, solid company performances, and the high oil prices are all interconnected factors that influence the economy. For example, when people are employed, they have more money to spend, which can boost company earnings. In turn, this can lead to higher stock prices. Moreover, oil prices can affect various industries, not just energy. When oil prices rise, transportation and manufacturing costs may increase, which can impact the prices of goods and services.

In conclusion, the current economic situation in Australia, with steady unemployment and a strong stock market, highlights the complex interplay between employment, company performance, and commodity prices. Understanding these dynamics can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions.

📝 Vocabulary

  • unemployment: the state of not having a job
    例文: “The government is concerned about the high unemployment rate.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • unemployment rate
    • unemployment benefits
    • unemployment crisis
    失業
  • interest rate: the percentage at which interest is charged or paid
    例文: “The central bank decided to cut the interest rate.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • interest rate hike
    • interest rate cut
    • interest rate policy
    金利
  • inflation: a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money
    例文: “Inflation can erode the value of savings.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • high inflation
    • inflation rate
    • inflation pressure
    インフレーション
  • investor: a person who puts money into financial schemes, shares, or property
    例文: “Investors are optimistic about the new technology sector.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • retail investor
    • institutional investor
    • foreign investor
    投資家
  • commodity: a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold
    例文: “Oil is one of the most traded commodities in the world.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • commodity market
    • commodity prices
    • commodity trading
    商品

✏️ Grammar Point

Conditional Sentences – “If the unemployment rate is low, it often means more people are working and earning money.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
仮定法の説明

💡 使用場面

仮定法は、特定の条件が満たされた場合の結果を予測する際に使われます。ビジネスや日常会話で、将来の計画や起こりうる状況を説明する際に有用です。

📝 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

  1. True/False: Australia’s unemployment rate has decreased, leading to less pressure on interest rates.
  2. Which factor contributed to the ASX nearing a record high?
    a) A decrease in oil prices
    b) Weak company performances
    c) Positive company results
    d) A drop in unemployment
  3. How do rising oil prices typically affect energy stocks?
    a) They decrease profits
    b) They have no effect
    c) They lower stock prices
    d) They increase profits
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. c) Positive company results
  3. d) They increase profits

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What economic factors are influencing the ASX?
  2. Why might central banks raise interest rates when unemployment is low?
  3. What does the word “interconnected” suggest about the relationship between unemployment, company performance, and oil prices?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. Strong company performances and higher oil prices
  2. To control inflation due to increased spending
  3. It suggests that these factors affect each other.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

オーストラリアの失業率が安定している一方で、企業業績の好調と原油価格の上昇がオーストラリア証券取引所（ASX）の株価を過去最高に近づけました。失業率が低い場合、消費が増えるため、インフレーションを抑制するために中央銀行が金利を上げる可能性があります。また、原油価格の上昇はエネルギー株にプラスの影響を与え、企業収益を押し上げます。今後もこれらの要因がどのように絡み合って経済に影響を与えるかを注視する必要があります。

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-19/asx-markets-business-news-live-updates/106361544

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