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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
+ I! P- L* M$ X: z7 U+ k: {( G( qLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
- B9 K9 S) r2 ^ N8 hCBC News: E2 e) e3 U0 a% S4 ] d; Z: r- X6 ?
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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.9 C! e0 o/ p" t$ c. C: N$ N' u
: Q! g% {7 _* ?% H1 U7 u* B( N& ZWith 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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- w3 F; @' r; s% T"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."7 e4 M* d: I4 _
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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.& L& X2 X$ @* F: j3 u4 \$ J
" G- d! |* C! bIn 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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