FRANKFURT (MarketWatch) — The Bank of England left its bond-buying program on hold Thursday in the face of weakening economic data.

As expected, the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee left the key lending rate at a record low 0.5%, where it has stood since March 2009. The program of asset purchases, which is the centerpiece of the bank’s quantitative-easing strategy, was held at 325 billion pounds ($506 billion).

Economists said the decision was likely a close call.

via Bank of England maintains holding pattern – Economic Report – MarketWatch.