The Open Bell — 18 Jun 2026

Today on The Open Bell: American consumers spent nearly twice what forecasters expected in May, which sounds like great news until you ask whether they're actually better off or just paying more for the same stuff. China has just published a five-year plan to lock down global critical minerals, and Europe is already reaching for import quotas — the materials trade war that's been simmering for years is starting to boil. Brazil is sitting on a 13.5% interest rate with inflation still running hot, but falling oil prices — a side effect of geopolitics nobody saw coming — may quietly hand its central bank the exit ramp it's been waiting for. Hosted by Alex Monroe. New episodes every weekday morning at theopenbell.co Not investment advice. For informational purposes only.