Squawk Pod

It’s a big tech earnings week; Microsoft, Alphabet, and Snap, have reported quarterly financials that beat estimates but elicited mixed reactions among investors. CNBC’s Steve Kovach recaps the results so far, and he weighs in on Amazon’s latest run-in with global regulators. Snap’s stock plunged after reporting its Q2 results; the company issued a weaker-than-expected forecast for next quarter, and investors are disappointed. CNBC contributor and Big Technology founder Alex Kantrowitz explains Snap’s ad strategy, what it means–or doesn’t–for the rest of the social media players, and how X fits into tech’s advertising landscape. Plus, consumers are smiling back at Goldfish, and Gap is smiling at its newest exec: the Mattel man who revived Barbie.  In this episode:Alex Kantrowitz, @KantrowitzAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

26 Jul 202320min

Harvard student and blogger Maya Bodnick put ChatGPT to the test, literally. She explains her experiment using the AI to write essays for her professors, including which grades the technology earned. One of her own professors, former CEA chairman Jason Furman, discusses how he’s choosing to change his class and his essay requirements, in the wake of Bodnick’s experiment. Ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate announcement, Furman also shares his perspective on inflation and another hike. Plus, Elon Musk is using X to explain X, and CNBC’s Robert Frank explains a change for the IRS is on its doorstep.  In this episode:Maya Bodnick, @MayaBodnickJason Furman, @jasonfurmanAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkRobert Frank, @robtfrankCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

25 Jul 202326min

“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” both blew past expectations for their opening weekend in theaters. Variety Executive Editor Brent Lang discusses the box office blowout and the Hollywood strikes that could stall any other big openings for months. The Women’s World Cup garnered millions of weekend views too, as did Lionel Messi in his Major League Soccer debut in Miami. Bruin Capital CEO and sports business executive George Pyne says, it’s America’s moment with a different “football.” Plus, CNBC’s Sharon Epperson discusses workplace inclusion in honor of Disability Pride Month, and Elon Musk is bidding farewell to Twitter as we know it.  In this episode:George Pyne, @GFPyneBrent Lang, @BrentALangAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkSharon Epperson, @Sharon_EppersonCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

24 Jul 202331min

“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are here! Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore senior media analyst, previews the box office double feature sparking memes, merch, and unprecedented hype. He shares his expectations from both films in what could be Hollywood’s most anticipated opening weekend of the year. Head of US Telecom Jonathan Spalter discusses the fallout from The Wall Street Journal’s investigation into decades-old lead-clad cables from AT&T and other carriers potentially contaminating public spaces across the United States. US Telecom is a national trade association representing AT&T, Verizon, and other carriers and tech companies, and it’s the latest Squawk Pod conversation following the lead-wrapped cables in Lake Tahoe. Plus, the Nasdaq is ready for a reset, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin is re-inspire u d by his workplace, courtesy of AI. In this episode:Jonathan Spalter, @USTelecomPaul Dergarabedian, @PDergarabedianAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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 Jul 202326min

AT&T's legacy telephone network may have nearly 200,000 miles of lead-covered cables, according to an estimate by AT&T submitted in a court filing. Tom Neltner, Environmental Defense Fund senior director of safer chemicals, discusses the latest in the toxic lead cable investigation, the exposure fallout for telecom companies, the harmful effects of lead exposure, and more. Executives from top U.S. semiconductor companies are raising their concerns about the Biden administration’s attempts to curb the sales of advanced chips to China. Chris Miller, Author of “Chip War” & Tufts University Associate Professor of International History, discusses the additional restrictions on exports and how they are being used in artificial intelligence applications. Plus,Tesla shares are falling after a disappointing earnings call and Apple is reportedly developing its own AI large language model internally.In this episode:Chris Miller, @crmiller1Phil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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 Jul 202325min

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice have released new merger guidelines. Despite recent legal setbacks, the regulators are forging ahead on their vision for antitrust policy in the U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Jonathan Kanter explains his vision for antitrust regulation. Plus, AT&T has responded to a report on its lead-wrapped cables in Lake Tahoe, and famed authors are taking issue with AI.  In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky 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.

19 Jul 202331min

BlackRock has named Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser to its board, a surprise move the company says will give it ‘a unique perspective’ on key issues. Jeff Sonnenfeld, Yale School of Management senior associate dean for leadership studies, discusses the decision and its impact on BlackRock’s ESG goals. ‘The OC’ actor and ‘Easy Money’ author Ben McKenzie explains his bitcoin pessimism, highlighting the risks and norms within the crypto industry. Plus, Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway has dumped a significant portion of its stake in Activision Blizzard as Microsoft’s deal to buy the video game company edges closer to the finishing line.In this episode: Ben McKenzie, @ben_mckenzieJeffrey Sonnenfeld, @JeffSonnenfeldAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe 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.

18 Jul 202329min

Elon Musk has revealed that Twitter is still cash flow negative. Musk’s biographer, famed author Walter Isaacson offers his insight into the Tesla chief after spending the past three years studying him up close, for his latest book. Isaacson explains Musk’s love for Twitter, his engineering expertise, and what he calls the Musk’s “demon mode.” Wheat prices are popping, Threads usership is waning, and actors are striking. But the SAG-AFTRA drama isn’t dampening the action at the summer box office.  In this episode: Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe 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.

17 Jul 202327min