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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low$ x' J1 o6 i' N6 r
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
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1 K' ^7 b$ i* }. v# sThe 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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' o. B% t& g6 h* e8 B& [ \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.( e/ t8 X: V3 ~, a! C' n4 \* H# _; q/ ]
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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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; |0 k2 @8 O6 jEconomists 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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