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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low: t; }/ T5 ~& Y B6 X! ^( B/ `. f
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83
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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.
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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.- q, \0 c9 x* L1 c2 o* C/ A
; F6 ~0 c6 I" ^2 W1 ~"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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+ h M, P. m" c7 {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 t3 O, k1 N2 `
) C9 }+ n3 r B, A# d2 uIn 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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