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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low! n$ S6 r" W% A( _, H' r3 V7 s
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83( z+ H+ D2 x! G$ B; ?
CBC News+ H3 i% v$ F, J
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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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7 u5 v) [7 `2 Y; 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.- \( G$ A/ z* j" M& d2 c R
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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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"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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; R( k( A" y9 z7 f0 VEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.- N$ O) }/ }5 q3 w
) Q, `; C' n! f; 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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