Inflation Data Rally, Micron's Surge and the AI Trade, Trump Media Soars 12/18/25

Cramer says this legacy tech company is a very strong stock at today’s levels. Become a CNBC Investing Club member to go behind the scenes with Jim Cramer and Jeff Marks as they talk candidly about the market’s biggest headlines. Signup here: cnbc.com/morningtakeCNBC Investing Club Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stocks got a lift in early trading after a cooler-than-expected inflation print, though some on the street questioned certain parts of the data. Mona Mahajan from Edward Jones talks about how the data plays into her market thesis. Meantime Micron shares spiked on results, giving a lift to the whole AI trade. Susquehanna’s Mehdi Hosseini joins after raising his price target on the stock. Plus – Elliott Management takes a stake in Lululemon, Chipotle doubles down on meat, and Accenture’s CEO talks AI demand.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber discussed stocks rallying on the October and November CPI report. The inflation data — which had been delayed due to the government shutdown — came in tamer than expected. Micron shares surged and lifted the AI trade on the memory chipmaker's stronger-than-expect Q1 results and guidance. The anchors reacted to a report which says OpenAI discussed raising tens of billions of dollars at about a $750 billion valuation. Trump Media and Technology Group shares soared on news of its $6 billion deal to merge with fusion power company TAE Technologies. Also in focus: President Trump's primetime message on the Fed, Lululemon and activism, Cramer sounds off about "a sham." Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cramer says this legacy technology company needs to save its balance sheet. Become a CNBC Investing Club member to go behind the scenes with Jim Cramer and Jeff Marks as they talk candidly about the market’s biggest headlines. Signup here: cnbc.com/morningtake CNBC Investing Club Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla, Sara Eisen, and David Faber began the hour with the state of the race for the next Fed Chair following developments overnight - before getting into the market picture with Interactive Brokers' Chief Strategist Steve Sosnick. Plus: David brought the latest on Netflix's increasingly contentious bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, as the latter name tells shareholders to reject Paramount-Skydance's hostile bid... And the team caught up with 2 CEOs: Robinhood's Vlad Tenev, on the heels of the company jumping into betting markets - and later on, Oklo's Jacob DeWitte fresh off developments when it comes to new energy sources for the nuclear company. Also in focus: the fate of Oracle's newest data center - as talks with one key funder reportedly stall... And the latest from Washington amid a bipartisan battle over ACA subsidies. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Faber, Jim Cramer and Carl Quintanilla covered all the bases on the battle for Warner Bros. Discovery. The company urged its shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance's hostile takeover bid — and to back what it calls Netflix's "superior" offer for Warner studio and streaming assets. Hear what Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters and Warner Bros. Discovery Board Chair Samuel Di Piazza told David about their companies' deal. The anchors also discussed where Oracle and Larry Ellison fit into the WBD saga. Also on the tech front: OpenAI-Amazon investment talks. Sara Eisen joined Carl, Jim and David to celebrate a special milestone: "Squawk on the Street" debuted at the NYSE 20 years ago this week. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cramer explains why the Club trimmed half its position in this retail giant. Become a CNBC Investing Club member to go behind the scenes with Jim Cramer and Jeff Marks as they talk candidly about the market’s biggest headlines. Signup here: cnbc.com/morningtake CNBC Investing Club Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla, Sara Eisen, and David Faber kicked off the hour talking jobs - with key pullouts and commentary from this morning's double report... Longtime market veteran Ed Yardeni weighed in on what it means for stocks into year-end, alongside JPMorgan Asset Management Chief Global Strategist David Kelly. Plus: Kraft Heinz announcing that former Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane is becoming their new CEO ahead of their split... Cahillane joined the team to talk the news, the consumer, and more. Also in focus: details on the stealth IPO hitting markets tomorrow that could be the biggest of the year, what's driving Ford to reverse on EVs, and new numbers out of CNBC's latest All-America Survey when it comes to approval of the President...  Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber led off the show with market reaction to employment data that had been delayed due to the government shutdown. Job creation in November was stronger than expected, but the unemployment rate rose last month to 4.6%— and October payrolls showed a shedding of jobs. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett joined the program with White House reaction to the data. He and the anchors also discussed Hassett in the running to become Fed chair, Fed rate policy and inflation, growth prospects for 2026 and the AI boom. Also in focus: Ford's $19.5 billion hit and EV pullback, Pfizer full-year guidance disappoints, the AI trade and a flashback with CoreWeave's CEO, Comcast update. Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. Versant would become the new parent company of CNBC upon Comcast’s planned spinoff of Versant. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cramer says this beaten down consumer staple may be the best in the Club’s portfolio. Become a CNBC Investing Club member to go behind the scenes with Jim Cramer and Jeff Marks as they talk candidly about the market’s biggest headlines. Signup here: cnbc.com/morningtake CNBC Investing Club Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.