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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
4 E3 K0 r0 X! R b8 @& SLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83( g. f& Y; K( v2 ]$ ?) H6 i$ l
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.
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@8 ^7 }0 r3 @"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.; ]; d! L/ }; {: P
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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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/ T4 _: \' M$ d# S: v+ E" uEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.+ ^) X3 W' A) U. ~, T7 z
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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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