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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
9 b0 G+ x) L4 {" r4 s! |) KLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
, v' }- F. G% F R2 `1 Y) jCBC News. ?/ N* x- n6 F7 k- F. ]
( k( U' R3 y" M( q" w! }4 WThe 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., l/ y( V/ C I7 F3 t( x, Y/ D
% u+ Q& p" y! j( q; s5 F; 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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"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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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.% e6 p2 @* L5 Q- s1 e5 Q& ~8 H3 |
6 T" l, q2 y6 a9 J( kIn 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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