澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-01-04

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The number of people unemployed¹ in Germany during 2011 topped more than 41 million people, a record high since the country's unification in 1990. The economists² are warning Germany's economic growth is expected to slow in the coming year, putting further pressure on jobs.

 

China's Premier³ Wen Jiabao has warned of a difficult start to year amid rising concerns over a sharp slowdown in the economy. He's reiterated⁴ his pledge to expand domestic demand to try to ward⁵ off the effects of the downturns in both the United States and Europe.

 

China's economy grew by an estimated 9 percent last year, down one percent on the previous year.

 

Let's go to the markets. The Dow Jones has just closed 179 points higher. The Nasdaq gained 44 points. The S&P 500 was up 21 and in London, the FTSE closed 128 points higher.

 

Checking commodity prices now. West Texas Crude is trading at $102.99 a barrel. Tapis Crude is at $118.61 a barrel and Gold is at $1602.89 an ounce. The Australian dollar has firmed. It's now buying 103 US cents, 79 euro cents and 66 pence sterling⁶.

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