Squawk Pod

Everybody’s online. Twitter’s second-quarter earnings came in stronger than analysts had anticipated as revenue grew 74% year over year in the quarter due to “a broad increase in advertiser demand.” Twitter’s Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal breaks down the earnings results, Bitcoin, and fighting misinformation on the platform. The Covid-19 Delta variant is highly-contagious. Former FDA Commissioner and Pfizer board member Dr. Scott Gottlieb says he expects businesses and organizations to take a more authoritative position on vaccination requirements once full regulatory approval is given. He also weighs in on the virus, variants and vaccines at the Tokyo Olympics. NBC’s Stephanie Gosk checks in from the much-delayed start of the 2020 Games.. Plus, China is stepping up restrictions on the private education industry, which is hitting some U.S. companies and the hard seltzer market may be oversaturated. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

23 Jul 202135min

A failed Senate test vote dealt a blow to the bipartisan infrastructure framework, but the plan could have a chance to move forward again as soon as Monday. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg believes there will be an infrastructure deal and said the Biden Administration’s “not trying to get gold-plated water pipes, just ones without lead.” AT&T beat analysts’ estimates for monthly phone bill paying subscriber additions in the second quarter, fueled by more Americans converting to 5G phones. Axios media reporter Sara Fischer discusses AT&T’s earnings report and what investors should know about the company’s outlook. Plus, Elon Musk speaks at a Bitcoin conference and PG&E’s decision to bury around 10,000 miles of power lines in an effort to reduce the risk of wildfires. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

22 Jul 202130min

Verizon reported better-than-expected revenue and subscriber growth, raising its full-year outlook. Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg breaks down the results and how much our smartphones show about post-pandemic consumers. Famed visual artist Damien Hirst says he believes in the staying power of nonfungible tokens, or NFTs. He discusses his NFT project where the buyer eventually chooses whether to keep - or destroy - digital or physical art, aptly named “The Currency.” The Opening Ceremonies are still a couple of days away, but the Tokyo Olympics are getting underway. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke to the International Olympic Committee members in Tokyo, and said the global failure to share vaccines, tests and treatments is fueling a “two-track pandemic.” Plus, Chipotle earnings are hot, AMC’s board names Redditor-approved CEO Adam Aron as chairman and the Milwaukee Bucks win the club's 1st NBA title since 1971. And, breaking in the Squawk Terrace, high above Times Square! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

21 Jul 202131min

World’s richest man leaves Earth. Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, launched him into spaceflight history, riding in the inaugural human crew of the New Shepard rocket. Adam Jones, Morgan Stanley Head of Global Autos and Share Mobility discusses the investment implications of the Blue Origin launch and the road ahead for space tourism. New Covid-19 cases are up in the U.S., as the highly-contagious Delta variant spreads among unvaccinated Americans. Former Obama administration official Dr. Kavita Patel warns that this resurgence of infection could impact economic and workplace re-opening. Plus, Comcast and ViacomCBS are exploring ways to work together and it could mean more SpongeBob SquarePants for all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

20 Jul 202133min

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s blank-check company Pershing Square Tontine Holdings has dropped a deal to buy 10% of Vivendi’s flagship Universal Music Group, following regulator concerns. Ackman discusses why he decided to pull his SPAC deal -- but is still investing in Universal Music -- the markets and his thoughts on Covid. He says the spread of the Delta variant doesn’t pose a significant threat to the economic reopening, and he sees interest rates rising on the back of the big comeback. Plus, CNBC’s Brian Sullivan reports on the new OPEC agreement to increase production by 400,000 barrels each month beginning in August. The output hike will continue through September 2022, at which point the entirety of the nearly 6 million barrels per day the group is still withholding will be back on the market. Plus, Happy Birthday to a few folks in the Squawk Box family. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

19 Jul 202139min

As Jeff Bezos prepares for his upcoming spaceflight, the Franklin Institute’s chief astronomer Derrick Pitts discusses details of the unpiloted Blue Origin craft and the differences between this billionaire’s trip to space and Sir Richard Branson’s. A Covid outbreak in California has prompted L.A. County to reinstate its mask mandate. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb identifies who’s at risk of contracting the Delta variant, and who’s spreading it. Plus, Cleveland Clinic and Mt. Sinai won’t administer Aduhelm, a controversial but recently FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drug, and, in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s “extraordinary measures,” economists and investors weigh the risks of inflation and the likelihood that it will persist. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Jul 202133min

Activist short seller Spruce Point Capital Management is accusing Oatly of shady accounting and greenwashing, claiming the stock is up to 70% overvalued. Spruce Point Founder and CIO Ben Axler explains his short position on the oat milk brand and defends the allegations. Netflix is making moves to enter the gaming space, but not without some watch list and content suggestions from Joe Kernen. Plus, the National Urban League is out with its annual “State of Black America” report. President and CEO Marc Morial and report co-author and Johns Hopkins professor Dr. Lisa Cooper discuss the intersection of racial equity, opportunity, and public health after 16 months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 Jul 202129min

Founder, chairman, and CEO of the world’s largest asset manager, Larry Fink discusses inflation and the Delta variant as they impact the global economic recovery in an extended interview. With $9.5 trillion in assets under management, Fink’s BlackRock has participated in the Federal Reserve’s efforts to buoy the American economy--during the Covid-19 pandemic and during the financial crisis of 2008. New to the helm of Marriott, Tony Capuano offers a look at rising consumer interest in vacation and travel. Though the hospitality giant has largely recovered from a turbulent year, CEO Capuano says there’s one crowd he’s still waiting to accommodate: business travelers. Plus, bitcoin’s wild ride continues, Alaska cashed in on the meme trade, and the Senate Democrats have reached a $3.5 trillion deal--but CNBC’s Ylan Mui points out that there’s much more negotiating and spending still to come. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

14 Jul 202141min