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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low7 _( ^# h3 [! d7 x3 S6 J* d
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83* x' g* `' _! T+ V. x j
CBC News
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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.+ [3 @: W8 t7 z( X+ G* ^$ j
8 D- e# M! F+ x, bWith 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.4 D4 x# g: ?% @7 _4 h s
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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."6 G) y; V F# d# M' v& F+ z
n' e r0 l6 e! ]( XEconomists had been divided over whether the central bank would cut by one-half of a percentage point or go with a more aggressive reduction.9 `$ D& M9 W/ M( d
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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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