Skip to main content

Featured

The Fed Just Hiked Rates. Here's What It Means for Your Canadian Mortgage.

  The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 25 basis points yesterday — the first hike in three years. The Bank of Canada hasn't moved. That gap is now the biggest story in Canadian personal finance. MoneySavings.ca  |  September 17, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief Yesterday afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 12-0 to raise the U.S. federal funds rate by a quarter point, pushing it to a target range of 3.75%–4.00%. It's the Fed's first rate hike since July 2023, and Chair Kevin Warsh made clear it almost certainly won't be the last. The Bank of Canada, by contrast, has held its overnight rate at 2.25% through seven straight meetings. It doesn't decide again until October 28. For Canadians with a mortgage, a renewal coming up, or a home equity line of credit, this matters more than it might look at first glance. 3.75–4.00% New U.S. Fed Rate 2.25% Bank of Canada Rate 1.625% Rate Gap (vs. 1.375% yesterday) ~71.5¢ Loonie (post-hike low) What th...

article

Tehran Opens Door for Japanese Ships Amid Hormuz Tensions

 

A cargo ship in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from the United Arab Emirates, near the border with Oman, on March 11.

Iran has signaled a willingness to allow Japanese‑related vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over a critical global oil route amid heightened regional tensions. This development follows direct communication between Tehran and Tokyo, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasizing that the strait remains open to countries not engaged in military action against Iran.

Iran has announced its readiness to permit Japanese‑related vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints for oil shipments. According to reports from Kyodo News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that while the strait remains closed to nations involved in military actions against Iran, it is open to others—including Japan—pending coordination with Tehran.

Japan, which relies on the Middle East for more than 90% of its crude oil imports, has been particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the region. The ongoing conflict and partial blockade of the strait have already pressured Tokyo to release oil from its strategic reserves.

Negotiations between Iran and Japan are ongoing, with Tehran expressing willingness to ensure safe passage for Japanese vessels as long as communication channels remain open. This move may help stabilize energy supply routes and reduce geopolitical strain in a region already on edge. 

Comments