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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low1 b/ f5 |& H, W
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
4 {# b+ h5 |: [0 wCBC 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.$ k0 _5 j& K H$ h r( b
% E( i2 t' c7 j- J5 }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./ a9 X+ ?1 {8 I5 t) R' M4 l/ g; Z
( K* G: l% x7 M3 S8 N9 e"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."! `( Y% I6 F: ]( k( z
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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. }/ ~3 f. l" N: c
& I8 [4 L# a8 X( N8 `, vIn 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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