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

As the U.S. works to ensure efficient and effective vaccine distribution, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urges Americans to remain cautious while they hope for a healthier future. Officials are recommending pared down holiday celebrations, and the first round of vaccine recipients are lining up to get--and showcase--the jab. Plus, the dealmaker behind the Viacom-CBS merger, Verizon’s purchase of Yahoo!, and the Snap IPO has unveiled his expectations for mergers and acquisitions in 2021. LionTree’s Aryeh Bourkoff shares his projections for media, media deals, and SPACs in the year to come. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Dec 202033min

Only 5% to 20% of the coronavirus antibody drugs that have been shipped across the U.S. are being used to treat people who are infected according to CNBC’s Senior Health & Science reporter, Meg Tirrell. Former FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb. says some states may struggle with last-mile logistics of getting therapeutics to patients and administering Covid vaccines. He said “you’re going to see some stark differences in accessibility across the states” as shots become available for Americans who are not health-care workers or residents of long-term care facilities. Multiple government agencies and U.S. companies were infiltrated through software updates from SolarWinds in a massive cyber-attack that’s believed to have been backed by Russia. Theresa Payton, CEO of cybersecurity firm Fortalice Solutions and former White House chief information officer in the George W. Bush Administration, advises all organizations to do a ‘proactive threat hunt’ of data. Plus, an analyst at JPMorgan downgrades United Airlines from overweight to underweight...as Joe Kernen also watches his weight. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Dec 202030min

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon address the biggest challenges facing the backbone of the American economy: the thousands of small businesses struggling with no sign of federal relief. “It’s an economic war,” says America’s best-known investor, about the uneven prospects of recovery for smaller firms. Buffett urges Congress to do something - now - and start with a new Paycheck Protection Program. “Just renew the PPP and get us to the end of the tunnel.” A bipartisan group in Congress released $908 billion legislation yesterday for economic stimulus. The proposal includes about $300 billion to support small businesses, a group exceptionally hard-hit by the economic slowdown of the pandemic.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 Dec 202026min

An historic day after months of research and clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine delivery is underway, with millions of doses being distributed across the country. CNBC Senior Health & Science Reporter Meg Tirrell joins Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin with special guest Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla. Bourla describes the rollout of the life-saving inoculation, reaching dosing goals and combating vaccine hesitancy.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

14 Dec 202036min

Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky sat down with Andrew Ross Sorkin ahead of the company’s landmark IPO. Public listings have been on a tear this year in the market’s epic recovery rally from the coronavirus-fueled rout in March. Airbnb, the company that allows users to book short-term rentals and experiences while traveling, jumped 112% during its first day as a public company yesterday. Chesky details how investors should think about regulatory risks, how the pandemic impacted the company and the possible “Roaring 20’s” to come. Steve Cakebread, who served as a CFO at Salesforce, Yext and Pandora when those companies went public, and Chip Conley, former Airbnb head of global hospitality and strategy, discuss what could be next for Airbnb and DoorDash after their big Wall Street debuts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

11 Dec 202033min

The Food and Drug Administration votes today on whether to recommend the approval of Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. CVS Health Chief Executive Larry Merlo said the company is ready to administer “vaccines into the arms of some of our most vulnerable populations” within 24 to 48 hours upon receiving its share of Covid-19 vaccines. Starbucks lost billions of dollars in sales this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but sales in the United States and China have been rebounding faster than expected. Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson discussed the company’s projections for 2021 as hopes rise over a coronavirus vaccine becoming available to the general public. Plus, consumers’ holiday spending plans in data from CNBC’s All America Economic Survey. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

10 Dec 202032min

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he wants Congress to pass a coronavirus relief bill with neither legal immunity for businesses nor state and local government relief. Congress is trying to come to agreement on coronavirus relief and government funding before the end of the year, and have a new proposal from the White House to consider. Stimulus checks, liability protections and state and local aid are some of the biggest sticking points remaining in discussions. Brain fog, severe fatigue and shortness of breath are three of the main post-COVID symptoms doctors are seeing, says Mayo Clinic's Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, which can affect 25% of patients. High-tax states like New York and California are seeing Fortune 500 companies leaving for lower tax states like Florida and Texas. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) wants to keep New York open for business and has a plan for the debate over SALT deductions for federal income taxes. Plus, the cost of convenience for home delivery and a stunning cybersecurity breach offers a good reminder … update your password! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9 Dec 202035min

The United Kingdom has administered the coronavirus vaccine to its first recipient just 10 months after Covid-19 took hold around the globe. Shopify is making projections for the 2021 shopping season, and President Harley Finkelstein says retail’s future is in the hands of the youngest consumers, entrepreneurs, and social media platforms. Uber sold its self-driving unit to $10B startup Aurora; Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Aurora CEO Chris Urmson discuss the deal and the road ahead for self-driving. Plus, Tesla has unveiled a second capital raise, this time aimed at $5B.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

8 Dec 202030min