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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low& r ~; w2 ?/ z, Q
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
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+ @2 K3 ^$ V7 E2 x- w+ UThe 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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- w% [- O) Y8 n }( t1 E9 g) {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 1958.1 |! W) k6 @. X9 q0 I) f8 h! q
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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.4 j( \# W. {6 C! e! j7 A
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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."
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( t$ S3 [6 w# \3 v. p6 {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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2 c4 Y% ]$ f: \( z6 w7 QIn 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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