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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low, d, [! T& f9 ?3 }+ I9 c3 A
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83. X5 H9 R$ r# b, y
CBC News, e2 f- J) x3 i& z3 o2 B3 d
' d( B" W6 b8 ^( g5 aThe 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 1958.8 Y1 `5 U! T5 Z" D: f( p& v
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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.
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9 G& ~/ D: R6 j- {, r% t) o2 ]"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."* b5 u( y; m0 d5 }
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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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& f, w9 W1 l1 M# D7 FIn 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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