5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 10/24/2025

Well over 3 weeks into the government shutdown, economists are eager for federal metrics that help paint a picture of our nation’s economy. To that end, the Labor Department brought back some workers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to release the Consumer Price Index, or CPI. 10 days late, CNBC’s Rick Santelli, Nomura’s David Seif and Richard Bernstein Advisors’s Michael Contopoulos dig into the numbers and what they mean for the data-driven Federal Reserve. It’s the second-longest shutdown in U.S. history, and lawmakers like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) and Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) are standing firm on their respective sides of the standoff. Both explain their perspectives on how the country can move forward. Plus, Target announced it would be laying off about 8% of its corporate workforce, and President Trump says he’s halted trade negotiations with Canada over an Ontario ad featuring President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.  Rick Santelli - 17:09 David Seif & Michael Contopoulos - 19:29Sen. James Lankford - 21:47Rep. Hakeem Jeffries - 38:26 In this episode:James Lankford, @SenatorLankfordHakeem Jeffries, @RepJeffriesRick Santelli, @RickSantelliJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

The U.S. government shutdown hits day 24 and many federal workers will miss a paycheck today, Intel has returned the profitability, Ford has lowered full-year guidance due to a supplier fire, Hoka and Uggs parent company Deckers see caution from consumers, and chipmaker Applied Materials is cutting 1,400 jobs.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The morning after NYC’s final mayoral debate, Republican candidate and founder of the Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa discusses the race and his competitors. Sliwa also addresses calls for him to step aside in his bid for Mayor and free up his constituents to vote for Independent Mayoral Candidate Andrew Cuomo. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) weighs in on NYC’s race and on the government shutdown, now on its 23rd day. Plus, Warner Brothers Discovery has rejected three of Paramount’s takeover offers, and President Trump has said that he’ll speak with American cattle ranchers about the rising costs of beef.  Curtis Sliwa - 19:56Rep. Ro Khanna - 33:49 In this episode:Ro Khanna, @RepRoKhannaCurtis Sliwa, @CurtisSliwaJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

The NHL has inked an official partnership with Kalshi and Polymarket, marking the first time a major sports league has teamed up with prediction markets. Kalshi co-founder and CEO Tarek Mansour discusses his platform’s sports volumes, potential regulatory issues, and competition with sportsbooks. Airbnb has launched new products and features to remake user vacations, and CEO Brian Chesky is just getting started. Chesky discusses the future of his company and the impact of AI. Plus, Netflix streamer numbers missed expectations, Mattel’s Barbie sales are down, and Meta has partnered with Blue Owl on a data center.  Tarek Mansour - 19:20Brian Chesky - 27:39 In this episode:Tarek Mansour, @mansourtarek_Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

CNBC reports that Walmart is pausing hiring of candidates that require H-1B visas, Barclays raised guidance and announced a surprise share buyback, Western Alliance Bancorp’s results beat most estimates despite bad loans and alleged fraud, LVMH is reportedly exploring a sale of its 50% stake in Rihanna’s makeup brand Fenty, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s annual pay has risen to $96.5 million. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead of the annual Goldman Sachs Alternatives Summit, CEO David Solomon discusses the AI bubble, concerns about the private credit markets, and his own firm’s growth ambitions. In an extended interview, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman makes his pitch to fellow New Yorkers and business owners: vote in the NYC mayoral election. Ackman underscores the importance of Curtis Sliwa’s voters in this election, and he shares his concerns about Zohran Mamdani’s plans, should he be elected mayor. Plus, Apple hit an all time high, President Trump has turned to Australia for rare earth minerals, and two members of the ‘Paypal mafia’ are sparring over AI on social media. David Solomon - 12:09Bill Ackman - 34:35 In this episode:Bill Ackman, @BillAckmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

An Amazon Web Services outage took down major websites including Disney+ and Coinbase. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, also Acting NASA Administrator, discusses the toll the government shutdown is taking on airport staff around the country. Anthony Scaramucci joins the set to chat through bitcoin’s rally, including his long-term perspective on holding crypto assets and the rising interest in diversifying portfolios to include it. Plus, the Louvre suffered a jewel heist. Sec. Sean Duffy - 14:44Anthony Scaramucci - 27:36 In this episode:Anthony Scaramucci, @ScaramucciSean Duffy, @SecDuffyJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

Amazon Web Services suffered an overnight outage disrupting sites including Disney+, Perplexity, and Coinbase. Apple’s newest generation of iPhones has outsold previous models in its first 10 days on the market, China is accusing the U.S. of a hacking campaign, shares of Hologic were boosted by reports of a potential Blackstone and TPG takeover, and proxy advisory ISS is recommending Tesla shareholders vote against Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay plan. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bank stocks are tumbling as concerns about bad loans at regional banks have worried global investors. CNBC’s Leslie Picker reports on the selloff and what’s driving it. Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster discusses the health of the U.S. lending ecosystem and his own firm’s record quarter, including Gen Z appetite for retail investing and growing demand for alternative assets. CNBC’s Steve Liesman breaks down the latest CNBC All-America Economic Survey, and Eamon Javers reports on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s meeting with China’s Vice Premier amid tense trade talks. Plus, a new partnership with Meta boosts Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica’s sales by nearly 12%. Leslie Picker - 07:39Rick Wurster - 12:44Steve Liesman - 28:25Eamon Javers - 37:44 In this episode:Steve Liesman, @steveliesmanEamon Javers, @eamonjaversLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bank stocks in the U.S. and Europe were trading lower on concerns about U.S. regional banks and bad loans, the government shutdown is set to continue over the weekend, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to meet in Budapest over the next two weeks, Ambassador John Bolton, National Security Advisor under the first Trump administration, has been indicted on charges of mishandling classified information, and President Trump says he’s struck a deal to bring down the price of beef.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.