5 Things to Know Ahead of the Opening Bell 3/11/2026

More than 30 countries have agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves as the war-driven supply shock sends crude above $100 a barrel. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright discusses America’s plan to release 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the effort to stabilize oil prices, and whether the U.S. Navy could help escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Then, CNBC’s Dan Murphy reports on Iran’s escalating attacks on shipping and energy infrastructure across the Gulf. And, Defense Department CTO Emil Michael takes aim at Anthropic’s AI models over concerns about ideology in military supply chains. Plus, Elon Musk unveils the new Tesla-xAI project “Macrohard,” and CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the Trump administration’s next tariff steps.   Sec. Chris Wright - 15:39 Emil Michael - 33:28   In this episode: Sec. Chris Wright, @SecretaryWright Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

Microsoft is backing Anthropic in its skirmish with the Trump Administration’s Pentagon, arguing a temporary restraining order would avoid disrupting the military’s use of AI. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis maintains his blockade on voting for Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh as long as there is a still a DOJ criminal investigation against current Chair Jerome Powell, and key traffic remains stalled in the Strait of Hormuz.  Then, entrepreneur, author and sometime politician Andrew Yang warns today’s young people could struggle in a job market changed by the speedy rise of AI technology.  And CNBC’s Robert Frank looks into what the wealthy are buying at auction – to stave off worries from volatile markets.    Sign up for CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter: https://www.cnbc.com/newsletter/inside-wealth/   Andrew Yang     20:37 Robert Frank    34:04   In this episode: Andrew Yang, @AndrewYang Robert Frank, @robtfrank Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

Chevron and Shell are nearing their first big production deal in Venezuela since the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Disney names its next president of Disneyland Resort, Senate aids get approval to use three AI chatbots for work, the Trump Administration restarts Global Entry after a pause, and Softbank’s Japanese Payment app PayPay sets a price range for its IPO.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wall Street witnessed a stunning recovery Monday after President Donald Trump indicated the U.S.-Iran war could be over soon. Trump told a CBS News reporter on Monday that “the war is very complete, pretty much” and later said during a press conference that the conflict would end “very soon.”  Sen. Ted Cruz weighs in on the potential duration of the conflict in Iran, and Armadin CEO Kevin Mandia describes the AI-enabled future of warfare, that is already here. Plus, CNBC’s Steve Liesman on the tough road volatile energy prices make for the Federal Reserve and CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on Defense Secretary Hegseth’s description of the latest strikes of Operation Epic Fury.   Eamon Javers  16:18 Sen. Ted Cruz   18:43 SteveLiesman 33:25 Kevin Mandia 39:19   In this episode: Eamon Javers, @eamonjavers Steve Liesman, @steveliesman  Ted Cruz, @SenTedCruz Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

Oil surged above $100 a barrel as the war with Iran disrupts global supply and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at a standstill. Amos Hochstein, TWG Global managing partner and former senior advisor to President Biden, discusses the state of the conflict, the historic shock to oil markets, and what a possible endgame could look like. Then, Goldman Sachs President of Global Affairs Jared Cohen examines what the war means for the future of Iran’s regime and the broader geopolitical fallout, including China’s potential role. Plus, CNBC’s Dan Murphy breaks down the latest developments in the region.   Dan Murphy: 3:09 Amos Hochstein: 12:53 Jared Cohen: 26:28   In this episode: Amos Hochstein, @amoshochstein Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

A surprising February jobs report is raising new questions about the strength of the labor market. The economy lost 92,000 jobs last month weighed down by severe winter weather and a strike at a major health care provider. CNBC’s Steve Liesman and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly break down the data, the broader economic picture, and what it could mean for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate path. Then, former U.S. Congressman Sean Maloney, now CEO of the Coalition for Prediction Markets, discusses the future of prediction markets, concerns about insider trading, and what regulation might look like in this fast-growing space. Plus, Kristi Noem is out as Homeland Security Secretary, the Pentagon labels Anthropic a “supply chain risk,” and the war with Iran enters its seventh day.   Mary Daly - 16:08 Sean Maloney - 33:25   In this episode: Steve Liesman, @steveliesman  Mary Daly, @MaryDalyEcon Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

For the first time since Lyndon Johnson was in the White House, Berkshire Hathaway has a new CEO.  Greg Abel joins us in his major interview since taking over for the legendary Warren Buffett at the beginning of the year.  The company has resumed repurchasing its own shares for the first time since 2024, and Abel announced his plans to use his annual compensation each year to buy additional shares in Berkshire. Plus, the latest in the he-said, he-said drama of OpenAI, Anthropic and the Pentagon.    Greg Abel: 16:00   In this episode:  Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the Trump Administration will roll out a series of measures aimed at stabilizing oil shipments through the Persian Gulf, as Washington steps into the oil tensions.  He also addressed President Trump’s latest tariff policy.  CNBC’s Dan Murphy reports from Dubai on the main energy traffic artery the Strait of Hormuz, and Sam Altman told OpenAI employees the company doesn’t get to choose how the military uses its technology.  And, CNBC Cures’ first summit brought together rare disease families, care providers, regulators and innovators to tackle some of the world’s most difficult diagnoses.  Check out CNBC Cures and watch videocasts of The Path with Becky on YouTube.   Scott Bessent         14:16 CNBC Cures             35:32   In this episode: Dan Murphy, @dan_murphy Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

President Trump says the U.S. will provide insurance to Persian Gulf tankers to ease the traffic slowdown in the Straight ot Hormuz, tech companies are scrambling to ensure safety of employees in the Middle East, cybersecurity company Crowdstrike beat analysts’ expectations for the fourth quarter, Ross Stores seeing an uptick in shoppers at the off-price retailer, and Democratic lawmakers are potentially working on a proposal that could lead to the breakup and American meatpacking companies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The U.S.-Iran conflict enters its fourth day, spreading across the region and pushing oil prices higher. CNBC’s Dan Murphy reports on the latest military developments and what the surge in energy costs could mean for markets. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers prepare to vote on President Trump’s war powers in Iran. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) explains why he opposes the strikes and argues Congress must reassert its authority. And, as AI becomes a tool of modern combat, Christoff & Co. CEO Niki Christoff discusses the Pentagon’s partnerships, Anthropic’s dispute with the Defense Department, and whether meaningful guardrails are possible. Plus, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon addresses President Trump’s $5 billion debanking lawsuit, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admits a recent defense deal was rushed.   Dan Murphy - 02:49 Sen. Tim Kane - 15:35 Nikki Christoff - 27:37   In this episode: Niki Christoff, @NikiChristoff Sen. Tim Kaine, @TimKaine Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Zach Vallese, @zachvallese  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.