Musk’s Stock Sales; Pfizer’s Covid Pill; Slack and the Newest Normal

China has ended its zero-Covid policy, but the government’s data on virus spread there is widely regarded as unreliable. Member of the Council on Foreign Relations Michelle Caruso-Cabrera discusses the geopolitical sea-change underway, as economists await an economic slowdown in China. Another pivotal shift in the works: the Federal Reserve’s commitment to raising interest rates. Mohamed El-Erian, Allianz and Gramercy advisor and president of Queens’ College, Cambridge, issues a warning to the Fed and investors worldwide. Plus, Elon Musk polled Twitter, asking whether he should resign as CEO. When the poll closed, users had voted for his resignation from Twitter; while Elon tweeted that he would abide by the results, no official announcements have been made. Loup founder and tech analyst Gene Munster explains why Tesla shareholders were optimistic on the news.   In this episode:Michelle Caruso-Cabrera @MCaruso_CabreraMohamed El-Erian @elerianmGene Munster: @munster_geneBecky 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.

19 Dec 202231min

In the continuing FTX saga, the main characters in the soap opera are now at odds: FTX’s disgraced founder Sam Bankman-Fried, Changpeng Zhao of FTX rival Binance, and one of FTX’s investors/spokespeople: Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary. The venture capitalist discusses his testimony before the Senate and addresses CZ’s accusation that O’Leary lied to the public. Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin question O’Leary and his investing judgment as pressure mounts from FTX users who lost money because they trusted the Shark’s endorsement.  In this episode: Kevin O’Leary, @kevinolearytvBecky Quick @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew 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.

16 Dec 202231min

In its latest effort to fight inflation, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates half a point to the highest level in 15 years, but CNBC’s Steve Liesman explains why the markets have reacted poorly. As Wall Street and Washington digest the Capitol Hill hearings on the FTX collapse, the CEO of rival crypto exchange Binance assures investors, “We are financially strong.” Changpeng Zhao “CZ” addresses concerns that his platform is also at risk of liquidity issues, discussing crypto contagion and his own role in the FTX drama. Plus, cheers to the holiday season! Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin are excited for their shopping–and their festive beverages.  In this episode:CZ, @cz_binanceSteve Liesman @SteveliesmanBecky Quick @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew 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.

15 Dec 202241min

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, Tesla’s stock has suffered a slide. Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is speaking out about his own experience leading the social media company; Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin consider the tricky cocktail of leadership, moderation, and innovation that Twitter demands from its executives, and whether the strain on Tesla is fleeting. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is in custody in the Bahamas, and CNBC’s Kate Rooney reports on what’s next for the bankrupt exchange and its former CEO. Rival crypto exchange Binance is under scrutiny as Wall Street and regulators await the next crypto domino to fall in the FTX fallout. Plus, after a difficult two years, airlines are profitable and surging. Delta CEO Ed Bastian discusses raising Delta’s financial guidance for the years and quarters ahead, as well as the long-awaited contract deal with Delta pilots.  In this episode:Ed Bastian, @DeltaKate Rooney, @Kr00neyBecky Quick @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew 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.

14 Dec 202231min

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested by Bahamian authorities Monday evening, setting the stage for extradition and U.S. trial for the one-time crypto billionaire at the heart of the crypto exchange’s collapse. Before his arrest was announced, Bankman-Fried had been expected to testify virtually before the House Financial Services Committee today, but his attorneys told CNBC that he will not appear. Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin discuss the charges of wire fraud, securities fraud, commodities fraud, and money laundering that face Sam Bankman-Fried. Plus, Moderna and Merck have been developing an experimental cancer vaccine that leverages mRNA technology to target melanoma. In a mid stage trial, the vaccine cut recurrence by 44%; Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel outlines how the company is working with regulators for accelerated approval.In this episode:Stéphane Bancel, @moderna_txBecky Quick @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew 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.

13 Dec 202232min

It’s a big week for Wall Street! Investors await the Congressional hearings on FTX’s collapse, the Federal Reserve’s next decision on interest rates and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest inflation data. Ahead of the consumer price index report, White House economist Heather Boushey discusses President Biden’s focus on clean energy, American manufacturing, and the U.S. labor market. As investors brace for testimony from disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton considers what SBF will say to Congress and how he will excuse the leadership that prompted a collapse in crypto. SBF owes money to investors, shareholders, and even Jimmy Buffett, who’s still waiting on SBF’s team’s $55,000 Margaritaville bill. Plus, Twitter is relaunching Twitter Blue (for a higher fee). In this episode:Heather Boushey, @hboushey46Becky Quick @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew 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.

12 Dec 202236min

In a special episode of Squawk Pod, Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin are in Washington, D.C. for the annual Business Roundtable meeting, speaking with Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes. In a conversation exclusive to CNBC, Hayes discusses Raytheon’s $1.2B Pentagon contract for missiles in Ukraine, as well as the other defense technology the U.S. provides in Ukraine and other warzones. As CEO of one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense contractors, Hayes considers how changes to the U.S. tax code could spur more domestic innovation.   In this episode:Becky Quick @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

12 Dec 202212min

Diabetes drug Ozempic has appealed to celebrities and influencers seeking weight loss, and the pharmaceutical “diet” is riding a TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram wave. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb says, while it may be effective for some, the risks and side effects could be more likely in patients taking it off-label. The ‘Twitter Files’ saga continues, as more internal documents from the social media platform emerge publicly. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) addresses the next steps for regulating tech and Sam Bankman-Fried’s decision to testify at FTX’s upcoming hearing. Plus, Amazon has launched a TikTok-style feed of content, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema is leaving the Democratic Party to become Independent, and pet-owners are pushing Chewy’s stock higher.  In this episode:Scott Gottlieb @ScottGottliebMDRo Khanna @RoKhannaBecky Quick @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew 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.

9 Dec 202232min