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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low- M% w: n$ k' b# w
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
# M- u# x, L/ |. T/ \CBC News- l4 y( C i+ m
, d) r7 K I4 w- u0 [6 c1 xThe Bank of Canada chopped a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Tuesday as the central bank moves to combat economic weakness.
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/ A- m; q) j/ YWith the interest rate reduction — which was the biggest drop since one of a similar size in October 2001— the bank's overnight rate now stands at 1.5 per cent, a level not seen since 1958.( K9 a! J2 ]. F+ h7 Y* L( r
5 s8 ]) ^4 `( u1 l4 Q+ q"While Canada's economy evolved largely as expected during the summer and early autumn, it is now entering a recession as a result of the weakness in global economic activity," the bank said.
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"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."3 J- ~& A/ q7 l8 V" ^
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Economists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.
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In the wake of the Bank of Canada's decision, the Canadian dollar was trading down 0.93 of a cent to 78.81 cents US. |
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