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Bank of Canada chops borrowing costs to 50-year low# e( f, j2 U2 g$ n
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET Comments80Recommend83/ E" a. }. T) q+ S
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./ [6 }. ~' l7 D+ S, j+ H2 ~' H6 E
, M) [1 }. m. B" ?' H' sWith 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 X! A4 Y: X; Q0 N+ \0 A
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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 ~$ z! a4 T: c6 Z8 N2 X
2 l4 h; m8 z8 j9 u% ~"The recent declines in terms of trade, real income growth, and confidence are prompting more cautious behaviour by households and businesses."+ z5 j$ k" |# C1 }7 D
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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. \' y/ t8 g0 I8 k9 H4 O, y/ ]
8 Y: @8 f+ H# u& Y# |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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