5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 10/15/2025

In the latest corporate integration with OpenAI, consumers can now shop at Walmart directly through ChatGPT. Internet analyst Mark Mahaney discusses the impact of corporate and AI partnerships and the future of the online landscape. In a wide-ranging interview, Silicon Valley investor and founder Brad Gerstner, CEO of Altimeter Capital, shares his perspective on China, the AI and chips arms races, and interest rates. Plus, soybeans and cooking oil are caught in the middle of the U.S.-China trade war, and Jamie Dimon has weighed in on AI.  Mark Mahaney - 16:06Brad Gerstner - 25:24 In this episode:Brad Gerstner, @altcapJoe 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.

Semiconductor equipment giant ASML expects a "significant" sales decline in China next year, French luxury house LVMH is reporting growth in the most recent quarter, Boston Fed President Susan Collins says she thinks the rising job market puts more interest rate cuts at risk, Apple is preparing to scale up manufacturing outside China, and OpenAI is preparing to launch a less-censored version of ChatGPT for adults. 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.

Johnson & Johnson reported its latest earnings and announced a separation of its orthopedics business into a standalone company. CEO Joaquin Duato discusses the company’s next era, new warning labels for its multiple myeloma treatment Carvykti, and the future of J&J’s consumer. Then, it’s publication day for Andrew Ross Sorkin’s new book 1929, which details the stock market crash that reshaped American capitalism. Plus, China sanctions a South Korean shipbuilder accused of aiding the U.S., and President Trump weighs in on a two-state solution and rebuilding Gaza. Joaquin Duato - 10:25 In this episode:Joe 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.

President Donald Trump has declared “the long and painful nightmare” in Gaza to be over in his address to the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset. Lead negotiator between Israel and Hezbollah under President Biden Amos Hochstein discusses the ceasefire terms, the future of the Middle East, and global oil prices. Meanwhile, chip stocks are rallying after the U.S. government deepened its financial ties to semiconductors. Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger weighs in on Washington’s stake in the company, the CHIPS Act, AI competition, and whether we are in an AI bubble. Plus, China vows retaliation against Trump’s 100% tariffs, and JPMorgan Chase is pledging $10 billion toward industries critical to U.S. national security. Leslie Picker - 02:37Pat Gelsinger - 19:06Amos Hochstein - 36:47 In this episode: Pat Gelsinger, @PGelsingerAmos Hochstein, @amoshochsteinLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvJoe 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.

JPMorgan is launching a decade-long long strategy to invest in companies it considers crucial to U.S. interests, investment bank Jefferies says that its exposure to bankrupt auto parts maker First Brands Group is limited, China’s market regulator said Qualcomm did not properly disclose its acquisition of Autotalks, Disney’s Tron: Ares topped the box office this weekend, despite missing estimates, and Oscar-winning actor Diane Keaton has died at 79 years old.  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.

Amid a government shutdown, Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) explains his argument with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries over the sticking point in the Capitol Hill stalemate: extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. The Labor Department will bring some furloughed employees back to resume work on September’s Consumer Price Index data, though other data remains on hold during the shutdown. Chinese customs are beefing up scrutiny of semiconductor imports to ensure that local companies are not ordering Nvidia’s less powerful chips specifically engineered for China. Plus, two-year community college Campus is employing both AI and humans to tackle higher education debt and graduation rates. Campus founder Tade Oyerinde discusses his mission and his new acquisition of Sizzle with Sizzle’s founder and new Campus CTO, Jerome Pesenti.  Mike Lawler - 17:58Tade Oyerinde & Jerome Pesenti - 32:44 In this episode:Rep. Mike Lawler, @lawler4nyJoe 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.

China is opening a probe in Qualcomm for allegedly violating antitrust laws, Levi Strauss reports higher profits despite tariff costs, Ford is backtracking on an electric vehicle tax credit program, President Trump is considering billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as next NASA head, and the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.  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.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to an exchange of hostages and prisoners that could lead to a ceasefire in Gaza. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on America’s role in brokering the deal, and Council on Foreign Relations President Michael Froman discusses the next stages of progress in the region. Stateside in Washington, the government shutdown continues. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) shares his party’s willingness to discuss the Democrats’ health care demands–after the shutdown ends. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) maintains that his party will stand firm on addressing American health care concerns. Plus, PepsiCo’s quarterly report beat estimates for earnings and revenue.  Sen. John Thune & Rep. Hakeem Jeffries - 17:22Michael Froman - 44:47 In this episode:Michael Froman, @MikeFromanJohn Thune, @LeaderJohnThuneHakeem Jeffries, @RepJeffriesEamon Javers, @eamonjaversJoe 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.

In an extended interview, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang discusses the AI infrastructure landscape and his company’s investments in AI projects including OpenAI, xAI, and Coreweave. After leading the chipmaker for decades, Huang shares his perspective on the U.S. position in the AI arms race; China, he says, is not far behind. Plus, Huang weighs in on reports that Oracle is losing money on Nvidia chips, H-1B visas, and President Trump’s tech policies. In Washington, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on the eighth day of the government shutdown.  Emily Wilkins - 04:53Jensen Huang - 17:15 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie 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.

Softbank is buying the robotics arm of ABB for $4B, new Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran says his desire to lower interest rates is supported by the Treasury market, Intel is set to launch a new chip, the Trump Administration is considering canceling funding for clean energy projects and Amazon is launching pharmacy kiosks. Mike Santoli sits in today!  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.