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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low3 q9 \6 R {8 S* z2 ~3 [
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83/ ~9 k* R' ?9 G1 ^
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.
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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., ?/ g8 b5 G: ^) { E$ E* z; 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." s$ x$ B* @2 e3 |3 o5 R
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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."
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2 N. a$ [6 E; c1 g/ Q: Z- t/ TEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.# n0 A, ~& R: s. w+ X0 v- O& |1 ~
3 M" S2 D# u8 }. p$ ~, CIn 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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