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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low3 G; o/ J. I+ i. n8 h- m
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
+ M0 \. k( w9 y% YCBC News; X9 V. W4 p2 M# U* z1 Z
; c r3 |& R) P$ r T/ L& Q @0 LThe 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.# v0 y6 U! r3 M7 Y; p$ i) X* _$ g
. g; j9 d: ] k! `9 Y+ G# GWith 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.: d$ E- `5 M% O4 _$ o' x2 c
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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."# P' G) H2 ~( P x! L
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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.
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4 E2 y/ t; d# r5 y+ U0 `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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