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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low2 p) y, u B @0 n1 ?
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend834 ?% a& F6 m0 a( ]2 T: O' \2 d- B
CBC News/ J, l2 Q, {6 R8 Q6 `6 h
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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.: ~) x" j7 V+ @; o0 L+ V2 t
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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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6 b& N" Y4 e+ b( H4 q/ x1 g% ]& T"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.7 M3 ?9 K0 Q# L: N% ~4 c. m7 L# V4 [
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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.". C6 K4 `& L! L/ s; C) W
. I0 w6 e0 W- x- z! N' nEconomists 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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