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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low9 O3 k3 w. ?8 V) U3 @3 J1 s
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
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The 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./ c7 _" C3 o$ J% {2 ^* V" t
2 Q3 w/ E5 ?( A6 M6 N xWith 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 1958.0 ]0 b8 I7 [% d! C+ X
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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.
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' ?- P" I/ j' f) [( o( m. e6 F" f"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."4 z2 h) \0 ?: Z: s3 F5 t0 Z
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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.1 G3 [- [; Q! _5 [7 J8 N' Z
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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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