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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low3 d9 w# \+ i! c4 i+ w( q0 }
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
$ w6 e: \$ R3 T/ \CBC News! l7 s' v/ O7 ~) P
5 L! O+ D# I U+ R; _. a0 tThe 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. e/ K0 o' Y2 c" Y: Y* r
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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.* L. k/ V2 W8 K
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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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"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."6 F* r/ y V6 I E0 O% u
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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.
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. X. @! y. G2 ~& S+ n OIn 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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