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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low& o) R. h8 x1 a3 R# t( e
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83% F. g/ m2 v/ q6 k& U! |
CBC News( R! E. R! ]# y$ O7 C
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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.4 p$ L/ E7 S/ U
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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 1958.7 J" s7 u/ |& p" |- V9 n
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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." m3 p3 I7 d9 S! Y* h5 i2 W7 a
8 W o) w6 y% R* g* w4 \% U+ O"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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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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$ l; k6 O2 ~' r4 V. Z. YIn 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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