SOTS 10AM: Nike hits a wall, an AI experiment turns to chaos, and can you trust the inflation data? 12/19/25

Stocks rose in early trading with AI-exposed names like Nvidia and Oracle getting a lift. Meera Pandit from J.P. Morgan Asset Management joins with her market take following new consumer sentiment and housing data. Apollo’s Torsten Slok talks about new headlines around the search for the next Fed chair, and new doubts around this week’s surprise inflation data. Plus, why one analyst says to buy the Nike dip, and The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern talks about an AI experiment in her newsroom that devolved into chaos.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 warns he doesn’t know enough to buy this semiconductor darling despite its cheap valuation. 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, Jim Cramer and David Faber explored what to make of an earnings doubleheader: Nike shares tumbled as weak sales in China overshadowed a Q2 beat and strength in North America. What is the status of the company's turnaround plan? Shares of FedEx also down despite better-than-expected quarterly results. The anchors also discussed OpenAI reportedly kicking off a new fundraising round that could value the maker of ChatGPT by as much as $830 billion. Also in focus: Oracle shares in rally mode, Carnival surges on earnings, Fed governor Waller in the mix as President Trump narrows his search for a new Fed chair, what's triggering Bank of America's sell signal.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 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.  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 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.