5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 10/29/2025

The federal government has been shut down for nearly a month, and the economic effects are mounting. IBM vice chairman and former NEC director Gary Cohn discusses the health of the economy, corporate earnings, and how the AI boom is reshaping the labor market. Then, early voting is underway in the New York City mayoral race. CNBC’s Robert Frank reports on the billionaires and businesses that are spending millions to defeat Zohran Mamdani. Plus, CNBC’s Kristina Partsinevelos has the latest on AI-related layoffs hitting big tech, and Nvidia has become the first company to hit a $5 trillion valuation.  Gary Cohn - 15:56Robert Frank - 35:26Kristina Partsinevelos - 40:51 In this episode:Gary Cohn, @Gary_D_CohnRobert Frank, @robtfrankKristina Partsinevelos, @KristinaPartsJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky 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.

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut rates by a quarter point today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip yesterday, an executive at the Air Traffic Controllers Union says that many airport workers have taken second jobs during the government shutdown, shares of Nvidia supplier SK Hynix are higher, and Hurricane Melissa made devastating landfall in Jamaica and has hit Cuba as a Category 3 storm.  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.

Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has penned a new memo about resource allocation to climate change. In an essay that surprised many, Gates writes that climate change “will not lead to humanity’s demise,” despite his years of work to educate on and mitigate the results of a warming planet. In a sit down interview, Gates explains his perspective on “trade-offs” and allocating a shrinking amount of resources to multiple global issues. Gates also weighs in on the prospect of an AI bubble. Plus, President Trump has met with Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, OpenAI has inked a deal with PayPal for ChatGPT payments, and Hurricane Melissa is approaching Jamaica. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tesla’s shareholders are preparing for a shareholder vote next week, and on the agenda is CEO Elon Musk’s unprecedented proposed payment plan. Board Chair Robyn Denholm discusses why Musk merits the package, and why shareholders should approve the proposal, despite pushback from proxy advisors like Glass Lewis and ISS. Plus, President Trump struck a critical minerals deal with Malaysia before landing in Japan ahead of his meeting with China’s President Xi later this week, the U.S. added an extra 10% tariff on Canada, and ‘Yellowstone’ creator Taylor Sheridan is reportedly leaving Paramount for NBCUniversal.  Eamon Javers - 3:04Robyn Denholm - 16:14 In this episode:Eamon 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.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says he expects President Trump and China’s President Xi to reach a deal to avoid a 100% tariff on Chinese goods in the U.S., a deal is closer for Bytedance to divest Tiktok’s U.S. operations, China’s industrial profits are soaring thanks to Beijing’s policies aimed at curbing price wars, Boeing defense workers in St. Louis are preparing to strike, and Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 5 storm. 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.

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.