🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Today, the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) experienced a downturn, while the Australian dollar rose to its highest level in almost eight months. The local currency reached 65.8 US cents, surpassing a key resistance level before slightly retreating. This fluctuation in the exchange rate can significantly influence the Australian economy, as it affects the cost of exports and imports. When the currency value rises, Australian goods become more expensive for foreign buyers, potentially reducing export demand. Conversely, it makes imports cheaper, which can benefit domestic consumers but might also challenge local producers who compete with imported goods.
The ASX’s decline today can be attributed to several factors, including global economic conditions and investor sentiment. Stock markets are often influenced by news and events around the world, and any changes in major economies can impact investor confidence. For instance, if there are concerns about the health of the global economy or changes in interest rates in major markets like the US or Europe, this can lead to fluctuations in stock prices.
Business reporters at ABC News have been closely following these developments, providing insights into how these changes affect businesses and investors. They highlight that such economic movements are a normal part of financial markets, which are inherently volatile. Investors are advised to remain calm and consider long-term strategies rather than reacting impulsively to short-term changes.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone involved in trading or investing. It is also important for businesses that rely on exports or imports, as currency fluctuations can directly affect their profitability. As the Australian economy is closely linked to the global market, changes in the ASX or the value of the Australian dollar are often interconnected with international economic trends.
📝 Vocabulary
- currency: the system of money used in a particular country.
- resistance level: a price point on a chart where a currency or stock tends to stop rising.
- export: the selling of goods to another country.
- investor: a person or organization that puts money into financial schemes, shares, or property with the expectation of achieving a profit.
- volatility: the quality of being subject to rapid or unexpected change, especially in the financial markets.
❓ Listening Questions
- What happened to the Australian dollar according to the script?
- How does a rise in the Australian dollar affect exports?
- Why is it important for investors to remain calm during market volatility?
📚 Reading Questions
- What is a key resistance level in the context of currency trading?
- How can global economic conditions impact the ASX?
- Why might imported goods become cheaper when the Australian dollar rises?
解答と解説（クリックで表示）
### Answers
1. The Australian dollar rose to its highest level in almost eight months, reaching 65.8 US cents.
2. A rise in the Australian dollar makes exports more expensive for foreign buyers, potentially reducing demand.
3. It is important because markets are inherently volatile, and long-term strategies are more effective than reacting to short-term changes.
4. A resistance level is a price point where a currency or stock tends to stop rising.
5. Global economic conditions can affect investor confidence, influencing stock prices on the ASX.
6. Imported goods become cheaper because a stronger Australian dollar increases purchasing power.
### Grammar Point
**Relative Clauses** – “Investors are advised to remain calm and consider long-term strategies rather than reacting impulsively to short-term changes.”
### 日本語での経済ニュース解説
オーストラリアドルの上昇は、輸出品の価格を上げ、輸出業者に影響を与える可能性があります。一方で、輸入品が安くなることで国内消費者に利益をもたらしますが、輸入品と競争する地元の生産者には挑戦をもたらすかもしれません。このような通貨の変動は、日本経済にも影響を与える可能性があり、特にオーストラリアとの貿易関係において重要です。
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Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-01/asx-markets-business-live-news-july1-2025/105479978
