5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 11/13/2025

Half a million California fast food workers are getting a pay bump, starting today. A $20 minimum wage might be good for workers, but McDonald’s franchisee Scott Rodrick warns, it might mean higher costs for business owners and for consumers. In DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser struck a deal to keep the Washington Capitals and Wizards playing in their home city. Mayor Bowser explains the sports deal and addresses concerns about crime in her city. Plus, CNBC’s Robert Frank reports that stocks have fueled a wealth boom, and the Federal Reserve has another data point to factor into interest rate policy: core PCE. Robert Frank - 09:03Mayor Muriel Bowser - 15:26Kate Rogers - 25:27Scott Rodrick - 28:54 In this episode:Muriel Bowser, @MayorBowserRobert Frank, @robtfrankJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer: @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 Apr 202432min

Home Depot has made an $18B deal for SRS Distribution, attempting to expand its reach among home improvement professionals, and Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller says he’s in no rush to cut interest rates. Ahead of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s sentencing, Puck founding partner Teddy Schleifer considers the implications of the court proceeding, both for SBF and for America’s criminal justice system. Plus, TikTok has launched a $2.1 million advertising campaign aimed at Senators. CNBC’s Steve Liesman reports that the divest-or-ban TikTok bill in Congress has split support among voters in CNBC’s latest All America Survey. He joins Yale Lecturer Joanne Lipman and NYU’s Co-Director of the Center for Social Media and Politics Josh Tucker in a discussion about TikTok’s role in young voter behavior and the future of American democracy.  Steve Liesman - 8:42Teddy Schleifer - 16:49Joanne Lipman - 30:16Josh Tucker - 30:16 In this episode: Teddy Schleifer, @teddyschleiferSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer: @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

28 Mar 202437min

Robinhood has unveiled its first credit card, and it’s made of gold. CEO Vlad Tenev shares details of his company’s foray into credit, and he weighs in on Elon Musk’s hopes for payment processing on X, as well as meme stock mania. The FDA has approved Merck’s treatment for a rare lung and cardiovascular condition, but the drug’s launch price is steep. Former FDA Commissioner and board member at Pfizer and Illumina Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses the pressures and mandatory discounts that factor into drug pricing. Plus, Elon Musk’s Neuralink has enabled a person with paralysis to play chess online, but one lawmaker is raising concerns about whether the brain implant should have been approved for human testing so quickly.  And, the latest on the Baltimore bridge collapse, Gamestop’s miss and the NFL starts early on holiday planning. Vlad Tenev - 14:06Scott Gottlieb - 29:37 In this episode: Vlad Tenev, @vladtenevJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer: @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

27 Mar 202434min

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge partially collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship; NBC’s Tom Costello is on the ground in Baltimore with details. In Florida, the state has banned social media for children under 14, regardless of guardian consent. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink is warning America: a retirement crisis is coming. The Wall Street Journal’s Chief Economics Commentator Greg Ip discusses the slow creep of politics into American boardrooms, as well as the similarities between the U.S. economic trajectory and China’s. Plus, McDonald’s will sell Krispy Kreme doughnuts nationwide, cocoa prices are rising, and Kate Rooney reports that Mastercard and Visa have reached a $30B settlement over credit card fees.  Tom Costello - 02:13Greg Ip - 15:54Kate Rooney - 27:23 In this episode: Tom Costello. @tomcostellonbcKate Rooney, @Kr00neyJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer: @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

26 Mar 202427min

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will step down at the end of 2024. After a tumultuous year for the company, Boeing is shifting leadership: board chair Larry Kellner will resign, as well as president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stan Deal. Calhoun sits down with CNBC’s Phil LeBeau, in his first interview after the announcement. In a wide ranging conversation, the outgoing Boeing CEO explains the company culture and the tug between quality and quantity on the Boeing manufacturing line. The EU has launched a probe into Meta, Apple, and Alphabet. Author Walter Isaacson discusses allegations of anti-competitive behavior and regulations’ potential benefits for consumers. Plus, the FAA is boosting scrutiny on United Airlines, and Congress averted a government shutdown–for now.  Walter Isaacson - 10:15Phil LeBeau - 22:11Dave Calhoun - 28:04 In this episode:Phil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer: @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

25 Mar 202440min

Reddit, after 19 years, is a public company. After listing on the NYSE, shares of the social media platform popped, pushing the market cap to $9.5B. The company offered some of its users and moderators an opportunity to buy into the IPO, but CNBC.com reporter Jonathan Vanian explains that many chose not to do so. In a conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, Vanian recounts the long, complicated road to a Reddit debut, and he looks ahead to the risks that remain in the tenuous dynamic between Reddit leadership and moderators with a history of revolt. One of those moderators, Courtnie Swearingen, co-led a Reddit moderator protest in 2015 and explains her hopes and concerns for Reddit’s future. CNBC’s Kate Rogers explains the productivity gap in this work-from-home era, and CNBC’s Steve Kovach explains the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple. Plus, airline CEOs want a meeting with Boeing’s board–but not with its CEO. Kate Rogers - 16:41Jonathan Vanian - 24:22Courtnie Swearingen - 29:05 In this episode:Jonathan Vanian, @JonathanVanianJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

22 Mar 202435min

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady this week, signaling a plan to cut rates multiple times this year. Economist and Allianz and Gramercy advisor Mohamed El-Erian explains the Fed’s dovish stance and its implications for the markets. As the government shutdown deadline looms, lawmakers have released a $1.2T spending bill. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) discusses the bill, funding for Israel, the US deficit, and the difficulties of a divided Congress. The Department of Justice has sued Apple, alleging the company’s anti-competitive practices extend beyond its hardware products. CNBC’s Steve Kovach explains Apple’s business strategy and regulatory hurdles. Plus, Elon Musk’s Neuralink has landed a big win.  Mohamed El-Erian - 04:23Rep. Mike Johnson - 16:19Steve Kovach - 31:25 In this episode:Mike Johnson, @SpeakerJohnsonJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer: @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

21 Mar 202435min

Election season brings concerns of disinformation, interference, and deep fakes. Former Chief Security Officer of Facebook and current SentinelOne Chief Trust Officer Alex Stamos shares his biggest concerns for voters and democracy this year. A government shutdown looms once again, over lawmakers; CNBC’s Emily Wilkins discusses the spending bills that Congress still needs to pass before the deadline. Also in DC, the Biden administration will give Intel up to $8.5B in direct funding for computer chips in four states. Plus, Chipotle is moving forward with a 50-for-1 stock split, and happy International Day of Happiness! Harvard Professor and host of “How to Build a Happy Life” Arthur Brooks shares his tips for living better.  Emily Wilkins - 14:09Alex Stamos - 20:56Arthur Brooks - 30:44 In this episode:Arthur Brooks, @arthurbrooksJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer: @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

20 Mar 202435min