Economy in U.S. Contracted at 6.1% Annual Rate in First Quarter

reflecting - odzwierciedlając
The U.S. economy plunged again in the first quarter, capping its worst performance in five decades, reflecting a record slump in inventories and further declines in housing.

stockpiles - zapasy, składy
to unclog - odblokowywać (clog - zatkać)
Smaller stockpiles may set the stage for a return to growth in the second half of the year amid signs Fed efforts to reduce borrowing costs and unclog lending are starting to pay off.

equipment - wyposażenie
Companies cut total spending, including equipment, software and construction projects, at a record 38 percent annual pace.

to plummet - spadać
General Motors and Chrysler LLC are threatened with bankruptcy as sales have plummeted since credit markets seized last year.

to be among - być pośród
Ford Motor Co., working to avoid a federal bailout, is among companies seeing some improvement.

Źródło: bloomberg.org