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

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+. CNBC DC correspondent Emily Wilkins explains the downgrade and what it means for America’s standing in the global markets. Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on four federal felony charges centering around his alleged efforts to discount legitimate votes and discredit the 2020 election. CNBC Eamon Javers explains the criminal charges, the historical significance and the next steps for American democracy. Chair of the CFTC Rostin Behnam discusses his effort to find clarity for crypto regulation and ultimately crack down on fraud while allowing legitimate enterprises to continue to innovate. Plus, Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle joins CNBC’s Phil LeBeau to discuss his company’s economics and Frontier’s all-you-can-fly passes available on a monthly, seasonal, and annual basis for a flat fee.  In this episode:Rostin Behnam, @CFTCbehnamBarry Biffle, @FlyFrontierEmily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsEamon Javers, @EamonJaversPhil LeBeau,@LebeaucarnewsAndrew 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.

2 Aug 202330min

Uber reported a milestone in its second-quarter results: its first operating profit. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi comments on this big news, plus Uber’s first quarter of free cash flow over $1 billion and its outlook for Q3. He also discusses competing with Lyft, rising prices for passengers, and ambitions of building a “super app.” Jonathan Greenblatt, Anti-Defamation League CEO, discusses the ADL’s new report card that grades social media platforms on how well they protect users from online hate and harassment; spoiler, it’s mostly Cs and Ds, plus one F. A  brightly lit “X” sign that was briefly installed atop Twitter headquarters in San Francisco has been taken down, but it was lit long enough to catch headlines. In this episode:Dara Khosrowshahi, @dkhosJonathan Greenblatt, @JGreenblattADLMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliAndrew 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.

1 Aug 202336min

Another big box office weekend, in the books. Puck founder and entertainment journalist Matt Belloni recaps the latest ‘Barbenheimer’ hype, strikes in Hollywood, and Disney’s most recent disappointment. Belloni also discusses his latest scoop: Disney CEO Bob Iger has brought in two former heirs apparent, for consultation on the company’s next chapter. AI is breaking into health care. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb considers whether AI-powered bots could take on some of a doctor’s duties. He discusses how the AI strategies of Amazon, Google, and Microsoft could affect patient care and medical office administration, and what the timeline for those changes might be. Plus, Heineken’s beer volumes are down in a key region, and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari is speaking out on the economy’s “soft landing.”In this episode:Scott Gottlieb, MD, @ScottGottliebMDMatthew Belloni, @MattBelloniAndrew 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.

31 Juli 202329min

In a CNBC exclusive interview, Exxon Mobil chairman and CEO Darren Woods discusses the company’s quarterly earnings results, which posted an earnings miss but a beat on revenue, rest of the year outlook, and how oil giants fit into the sustainability agenda.Rich Greenfield, LightShed Partners co-founder, discusses Elon Musk’s Twitter rebrand, whether it’s the right gamble financially, and the state of Meta’s Threads app. Plus, Intel’s executives discussed AI on the company’s quarterly conference call, Twisted Tea is making a comeback, and a Wall Street Journal report about the government’s relationship to social media companies has Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin ‘squawking.’In this episode:Rich Greenfield, @RichLightShedDarren Woods, @exxonmobilAndrew 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.

28 Juli 202332min

It’s Barbie’s world and we’re just living in it. Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz emphasizes the power of the brand, the doll, and the movie-prompted cultural phenomenon. Kreiz discusses the company’s quarterly results and the connection between $162 million at the box office and Mattel’s bottom line. In a bipartisan push, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is aiming to ban Congressional stock trading. The unlikely duo discusses why a ban is necessary and simple, and why exceptions for blind trusts just muddy the problem. Plus, something for investors to chew on: Comcast, Meta, Chipotle, and others have reported quarterly financials, and the Federal Reserve has hiked interest rates again. In this episode:Ynon Kreiz, @MattelSen. Kirsten Gillibrand, @SenGillibrandAndrew 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.

27 Juli 202333min

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 Juli 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 Juli 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 Juli 202331min