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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
: I' T0 h z% j) |% pLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
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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.; w! q+ J8 y9 v+ n6 v3 H0 q
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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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"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.' B* p4 Q' A6 P1 y9 c
- k! Q. g% g- H& I7 q# U"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."1 H0 W- O* b2 t1 P+ x7 X! q
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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.4 k8 B/ a5 H2 b1 j
4 k+ k0 q2 b' e: S6 T7 qIn 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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