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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low/ I' K5 N- E" Q
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83* q1 d& f& |/ A; Q0 J7 v/ U/ w
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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5 d- G; A* z2 c G+ Q, C"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." @6 Q/ d+ a4 h) O! u' w
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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."9 A) @( `+ p" R0 S0 I; i3 B, t
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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. c! I3 b2 f. r# e+ H: a, l% e# U5 u
8 F0 ?0 b6 `( x4 l1 mIn 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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