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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low7 m1 s3 u0 L/ z1 C6 [% i5 ^$ a2 T o
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend837 P8 Q" d2 E9 F0 w% k
CBC News
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8 |, h1 Z+ ^) P2 _% g& X- \+ zThe 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.. g+ K5 ?7 L: h3 v
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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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p9 V P7 g6 I4 T: p"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."1 }, \3 z' E9 H0 R/ b% a2 v
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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.3 ]0 N4 z0 s; D5 l5 Y
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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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