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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
5 `- _4 Y- o; m! P8 a+ GLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83- g5 K! q/ c+ ^
CBC News
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3 P% u% [' P x2 OThe 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.. t7 n& C& E' |5 b
) W1 [1 B. \& |' Z' E9 QWith 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.+ b4 C; t9 L% _5 L B. W
3 H/ W: \3 C# M: h7 K( Q"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.% k6 N$ \- Y/ j* b) T8 ~+ I, s
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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.": C7 J% C; y7 E8 t5 M l6 A
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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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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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