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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
1 k8 W3 ]0 b5 a: VLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
. k5 m$ \# O! C* I! ?CBC News
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3 R: x' B8 t3 X# v: s! R& dThe 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.$ @, ]3 [' O- ]0 Q1 Z( R& B
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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 1958.3 q; A" @, i4 P5 f/ p8 g) ?# S
3 F/ X9 n* F0 r' M5 R"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.+ `. o4 ~) K9 F% I" q$ X
7 N4 b! a+ H4 f% u0 t% j! k' c"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses.", E8 D; k$ f; ^, q
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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.4 g. k, Y4 X- a) ~# G- \9 @
6 f* n2 A6 C$ d" q% W4 j" oIn 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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