 鲜花( 0)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low+ A% g* o% Q* n
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83; b& j. p2 Y0 M
CBC News+ e+ r( t) g+ R& J' G
# d% ]1 y' u! `, o, ^The 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./ b" T4 U; p7 w1 Q
9 E6 U/ Y! H4 `
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.
1 I) v1 `8 \0 O/ g% B o$ p f/ m8 s3 Y
"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.
+ `: t8 X* v3 @2 v; c. w, \+ h1 D/ a) ?/ h7 q- V9 }; ?
"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."
6 T3 U. ] X9 w) E* D- O
+ [# U$ y% B9 h% Z* \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.2 G& U: S/ V8 L: S
4 I: C4 c5 Z: M$ M1 I, S3 P# E
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. |
|