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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
8 j3 \9 C K# h, h+ WLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83* L2 J' B3 i2 t2 m. h) \% }
CBC News# z! I/ I- A4 I! ?! Y! r2 n) p
4 a: R, m' S# `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.5 ^( a3 m |! k$ j, _" f
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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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1 }0 @5 X: x8 N6 b"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.+ t, {( j7 @6 a7 z9 n
. E; u7 z d8 [$ b"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."5 C) k0 j' k( \3 C
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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.4 h! ^4 @9 L; o6 i( X* S
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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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