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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
0 P: l4 M! R* e2 O6 e$ _& B0 ^" lLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend834 J0 d8 c3 R' W) t) {
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.% b n+ Q, w- V8 l0 R5 h
7 d* z3 i' I/ ^$ t9 r6 Y$ VWith 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.+ F- C9 w; H3 f1 u& O N
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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.) K" Z' K$ V; {, E0 v( I1 x
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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."6 z4 J# N# f9 ` h" r
( J) c3 s3 C3 X- G+ C% i7 xEconomists 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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% a ~& p N* q( ?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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