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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
6 Q% i; ^6 K- g1 D/ C9 HLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
5 X( I% s/ _ _/ l8 {5 @1 H' [CBC 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.
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6 i/ J n" h$ b2 t" h( n+ K7 W- OWith 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 1958.8 w' q$ O6 l) o" d
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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.
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0 q) V8 ]8 c C' x2 P1 ^1 P"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses." A/ P, ?( M5 I" n/ O% |
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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 a1 q$ h$ q
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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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