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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low6 W# [" |9 V8 ]: r8 Y
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83- f# a9 A: ^) i# y8 M% Y
CBC News3 I/ V% p/ ^0 ?$ Z1 c
7 S7 P) b# {" n4 o7 S! B5 {3 ^/ HThe 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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With 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.
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"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.1 V; ^$ r3 d* k. ~" ]; |: n# }
: d/ }: q) ?, `' r1 t3 k"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."
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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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: l. a0 `8 Z. `+ ^/ f" nIn 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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