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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low: z: }/ a5 G- y) W" z, P' O9 ^$ J
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend834 i" x! B! M. n; }" A
CBC News
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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.( [* d j6 L) x2 g- [( f
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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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"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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, D( V/ N3 [% o* c"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."& w) K2 P' a9 w: o- b l5 B9 B
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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. }* H0 k1 @7 \' Y: G7 G
- [! m z( w$ {3 N: D9 ~9 ?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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