The Open Bell — Ep. 056 — 8 Sept 2026
Today on The Open Bell:
Iran just declared a second restricted zone on top of the already-strangled Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude is closing in on $97 a barrel, and the question now isn't whether this is a supply shock but how big one we're actually looking at.
The US economy added 162,000 jobs in August, which is three times what anyone expected, and the good-news headline is real, but here's the part that hits your wallet: a labour market this strong gives the Federal Reserve, America's central bank, every reason to keep raising the interest rates that make mortgages, car loans, and business borrowing more expensive.
Japan's workers just posted their biggest real wage gain, meaning pay rises that actually outpace inflation, in over five years, and after seven straight months of it, the Bank of Japan is almost certain to raise rates next week in a country that's spent decades with borrowing costs near zero.
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Hosted by Alex Monroe. New episodes every weekday morning at theopenbell.co
Not investment advice. For informational purposes only.
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Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:12 Brent Near $97 as Iran Declares New Hormuz Restricted Zone 02:49 US August Payrolls Beat at 162K; Fed Hike Odds Rise to ~60% 05:13 Japan Real Wages Jump 2.4%, Locking In BOJ Rate Hike Bets 07:27 Closing thoughts