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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low# @& x- I% L- @5 t( V3 q* X
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83, z2 j4 X: k3 ~# I
CBC News4 d! y6 E5 S4 t8 p2 B1 n
v) g6 J8 ]( h* ^9 a. U# o. A 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.; k X9 U' S$ q3 I' ]8 x
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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.! d2 L+ Q1 t/ M- j
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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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4 F! v) N: o( ]6 n: C7 E. qEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.# [2 f! H; O. R
9 d. N; u2 Z5 aIn 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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