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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low& y+ k* u$ x! w* r# y
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83* m" a8 J, Q! q# q
CBC News
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4 m6 G1 T6 d p8 y; `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.4 B3 e2 Z; }% x! f: g# Z
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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 1958.1 |$ d- E' T7 d6 ~( b
- ^# {8 v {8 D; R) A* B: ~"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."4 j; P& W6 A+ C/ d# T- ~* H+ D+ X
1 o! N. B7 G& b/ z& XEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction./ X) Y0 f7 K& M# e4 `
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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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