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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
* S U, W1 H0 \9 ~Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83& q7 p. }1 g! n5 }5 |/ H) x
CBC News5 Z" n# U- c$ M% i6 M' o
$ o2 m" @/ ?" u* |3 mThe 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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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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"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. L" A# ^$ `0 T! f0 M- J; z9 X7 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."
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) x8 Y. ~& b% t" a/ Y" v6 LEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.7 P# Z. G$ r6 }. ~' N
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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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