美国上调第三季经济增长至3.1%

The US economy grew faster than expected by 3.1 per cent in the third quarter, according to the latest revision by the commerce department, putting it in a stronger position to withstand any shock from the looming fiscal cliff.

根据美国商务部最新修订数据，第三季度美国经济增长3.1%，高于预期，这使美国能够更好地抵御即将到来的“财政悬崖的任何冲击。

The figure was higher than the 2.7 per cent annualised growth previously estimated for the third quarter, and far more than the 1 per cent growth rate that was originally calculated by the commerce department two months ago.

这一数据高于此前估测的第三季度2.7%的年率化增幅，且远高于商务部2个月前最初计算的1%的增幅。

The upward revision followed higher net exports, as well as support from consumer and government spending.

上调增长数据之前，数据显示美国净出口增加、消费者和政府支出也对经济构成支持。

Economists were comforted by the data – which showed the US economy growing at its fastest since late 2011 – but cautioned that it was unlikely to last long. “This revision was a healthy one, driven by final sales, not inventories, said Nigel Gault, chief US economist at IHS Global Insight. “But it overstates the economy’s momentum, and we expect growth of just below 1 per cent in the fourth quarter.

这一数据让经济学家感到宽慰，因为这是2011年末以来美国经济增长最快的速度，但他们告诫称，这一增速不太可能会持久。环球通视(IHS Global Insight)首席美国经济学家奈杰尔·高尔特(Nigel Gault)说：“这一修订是受最终销售（而不是库存）拉动，因而比较健康。但它高估了美国经济的势头。我们预计第四季度美国经济增速可能略低于1%。

Mr Gault added that the outcome of talks in Washington to avert the fiscal cliff – a $600bn contraction made up of tax rises and spending cuts due next year – would be critical for the US economic outlook.

高尔特补充说，华盛顿旨在避免“财政悬崖（明年总额为6000亿美元的收缩，包括增税和支出削减）的协商结果，对于美国经济前景来说非常关键。

“The longer the negotiations drag on, especially if they extend into January, the more the uncertainty will hurt consumer and business confidence, and willingness to spend. A timely resolution will help confidence, but we should not expect the economy immediately to spring to life, Mr Gault said.

高尔特说：“谈判拖得越久，特别是如果延长到1月份，这种不确定性就会对消费者和公司的信心和消费意愿造成越大的冲击。及时的解决将提振信心，但我们不能指望经济会立刻复苏。