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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low
- Y& V7 F4 b t! e6 z9 oLast Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend834 r4 m6 l, o0 @
CBC News% H p4 Q4 f1 e' b+ o' W
* _3 @; D) D# y; GThe 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.( M: U9 ?( Y) X! \& ~' i. d
* `/ w; L2 o/ W+ L iWith 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.% E0 c' J( F0 w) x4 g9 d
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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."* [/ f* W; X4 H0 @& S" `
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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.
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! o3 F) T( t% |$ X* x$ ~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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