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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low& {4 a/ s' x# n2 J4 d
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
# X2 N( x1 B, k9 T/ k1 ~$ h1 R6 pCBC 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.9 C2 X! e# v* @
$ e! i( j! y/ KWith 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.8 T: s8 W$ q) b" S/ 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."8 z( a8 C' D1 ?9 M: s1 m
) y% i' u" S* E3 wEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.1 l2 Z) H$ S( g) p5 t
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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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