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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low( Y' W. d9 l- |# Z& Q: ?' m+ o
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83; r- r* W3 J8 p" Q
CBC News
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' E( b+ Z+ U7 E7 ]" oThe 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.. ~# J* Y: ~1 z u9 O5 R5 Y
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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.% @% a0 ~1 y) E7 c; r8 h4 o `' U
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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.& [# T: z# x" @! [: Q
' O0 N6 [2 `- B* c8 I/ ?5 v3 g( ~"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."- Y, Y. h( b( ~2 Z& B9 O7 ]
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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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# o7 F8 }- g4 ]% vIn 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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