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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low- H T5 S1 h: r+ K
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83. d6 {1 {( q! H! E* C8 G# d
CBC News
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; `/ P9 \9 D! d0 }* e' FThe 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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& `; S* j2 D! I3 H: _( r6 K2 ]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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: f* `6 T" L( E2 s6 f"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.0 i8 F; i/ G1 k) k3 |$ d
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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, H9 f7 v: a8 D! E8 S
8 r: s- ^, \$ X" VEconomists 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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