5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 12/8/2025

Sitting National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett is shortlisted to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve. Director Hassett weighs in on monetary policy–despite not being in the role quite yet. As the media world digests Netflix’s winning bid for Warner Brothers Discovery’s film and streaming assets. Former MTV president Michael Wolf explains Netflix’s position in the industry and the battle for eyeballs. Plus, Elon Musk is firing back at the European Union after the bloc fined X $140m, and changes are afoot at Berkshire Hathaway just as Warren Buffett readies to hand the CEO reins to his successor Greg Abel.  Kevin Hassett - 20:47Michael Wolf - 39:27 In this episode:Becky 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.

IBM is reportedly in talks to acquire Confluent, CRH, Carvana, and Comfort Systems are being added to the S&P 500, the Trump administration will forgive the remaining $11m civil fine against Southwest Airlines, the Trump administration will unveil its aid package for farmers, and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” won the box office this weekend. 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 https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Netflix has reached a deal to buy Warner Brothers Discovery film and streaming assets, ending a dramatic bidding war between Paramount Skydance, Comcast, and Netflix. Andrew Ross Sorkin, Becky Quick, and Joe Kernen examine the terms, the break-up fees, the regulatory risks, and the math for shareholders with CNBC’s David Faber. Together, they consider whether Paramount Skydance owner David Ellison will pay the breakup fee and what players are willing to pay for key intellectual property. Entertainment journalist and Puck founding partner Matt Belloni offers his insight from sources inside Hollywood and warns, many creatives in the industry are not happy about the deal. David Faber - 10:41Matt Belloni - 21:05 In this episode:Matt Belloni, @MattBelloniDavid Faber, @davidfaberBecky 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.

Docusign shares fell even after the company raised its full year outlook, Hewlett Packard Enterprise missed Wall Street’s expectations for its fourth quarter revenue, shares of Ulta Beauty are on the rise after the company raised its forecasts for full year revenue, Apple has announced key leadership transitions, and Costco is adding President Biden’s Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to its board after announcing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over tariffs earlier this week.  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 2025 New York Times DealBook Summit has wrapped, and Andrew Ross Sorkin is back on the Squawk Box set to discuss the highlights with Joe Kernen. He shares the best moments from interviews with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palantir’s Alex Karp, Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Turning Point USA’s Erika Kirk, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Secretary Bessent, separately, is reportedly in consideration to lead the National Economic Council, should current NEC director Kevin Hassett be named the next Federal Reserve Chair. Then, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses his concerns about the Trump administration’s approach to regulating vaccines. Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 17:27In this episode:Joe 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.

Investor Anthony Scaramucci discusses bitcoin’s rebound and his optimistic outlook for Solana, one of the digital assets he believes will stand the test of time. Online creator Mark Rober has amassed a YouTube following of 72 million people, and now he’s taking his fun science lessons to Sesame Street. The former NASA engineer explains his business model and his next projects, including a collaboration with Elmo and a curriculum for science teachers. Plus, CNBC’s Courtney Reagan reports on a new outlook from Macy’s, President Trump will announce his pick for the new Federal Reserve Chair in early 2026, and American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney denim campaign may have been a boon to its holiday business.  Anthony Scaramucci - 16:19Mark Rober - 28:42 In this episode:Mark Rober, @MarkRoberAnthony Scaramucci, @ScaramucciCourtney Reagan, @CourtReaganBecky 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.

Chipmaker Marvell is on the rise thanks to strong quarterly earnings and an acquisition announcement, identity-management firm Okta is lower despite beating earnings and revenue projections,  reports say the Trump administration will propose weakening fuel efficiency standards, Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund will own more than 90% of videogame maker Electronic Arts and the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 will resume … more than a decade after the jet disappeared.  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.

Michael and Susan Dell have gifted $6.5 billion to 25 million investment accounts for American children, adding momentum to the Invest America Act. Tech investor Brad Gerstner has long been a proponent of this initiative, and he explains how and why it will work for Americans and the American capitalist system. Then, chairman of Heaven Hill Max Shapira discusses how the largest family-owned and operated distillery in the U.S. has weathered 90 years of changes in consumer tastes and liquor regulation. Plus, OpenAI’s Sam Altman has declared a “code red” in the face of ChatGPT competition, Costco is suing the Trump administration over tariffs, and crypto has suffered a massive plunge.  Eamon Javers - 10:37Brad Gerstner - 15:40Max Shapira - 40:17 In this episode:Eamon Javers, @eamonjaversBrad Gerstner, @altcapJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky 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.

Amid Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday sales, owner of The Locavore Caroline Weaver discusses consumers shopping locally this holiday season. President Trump told reporters over the weekend that he’s decided on his pick for the next Fed Chair, prompting renewed conversation about reported front-runner Kevin Hassett. Economist Mohamed El-Erian considers the big economic picture, including the Federal Reserve’s path forward. Plus, Nvidia is taking a $2 billion stake in Synopsys and an Airbus glitch affected planes flying over the holiday weekend.  Caroline Weaver - 15:40Mohamed El-Erian - 23:28 In this episode:Mohamed El-Erian, @elerianmBecky 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.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: President Trump says he’s made his choice for next chair of the Federal Reserve, Disney had brought in more than $500 million globally on the “Zootopia 2” box office, South Korean police are investigating a data breach at e-commerce site Coupang, data analytics firm Databricks is in talks to raise $5 billion at a valuation topping $134 billion, and UnitedHealth Group will reportedly sell off its last South American business. 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.