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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low& B# S2 p: G; u! {
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83$ @' i+ e- [+ y+ f& I8 E
CBC News1 {5 ^7 @: `! k& G8 Z9 F" w
* }% H g; b! t! o$ YThe 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 1958.3 L. m3 I# d' n
( K: \# b( ]8 {9 J"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. E% i' g$ W ?: N* v( l% A
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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."0 |$ [$ ?$ H* ?$ t
5 k5 {0 B" u# m3 A, q5 S1 [$ i) _# l# F; SEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.
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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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