5 Things to Know Ahead of the Opening Bell 3/4/2026

Oil surged above $100 a barrel as the war with Iran disrupts global supply and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at a standstill. Amos Hochstein, TWG Global managing partner and former senior advisor to President Biden, discusses the state of the conflict, the historic shock to oil markets, and what a possible endgame could look like. Then, Goldman Sachs President of Global Affairs Jared Cohen examines what the war means for the future of Iran’s regime and the broader geopolitical fallout, including China’s potential role. Plus, CNBC’s Dan Murphy breaks down the latest developments in the region.   Dan Murphy: 3:09 Amos Hochstein: 12:53 Jared Cohen: 26:28   In this episode: Amos Hochstein, @amoshochstein Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

A surprising February jobs report is raising new questions about the strength of the labor market. The economy lost 92,000 jobs last month weighed down by severe winter weather and a strike at a major health care provider. CNBC’s Steve Liesman and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly break down the data, the broader economic picture, and what it could mean for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate path. Then, former U.S. Congressman Sean Maloney, now CEO of the Coalition for Prediction Markets, discusses the future of prediction markets, concerns about insider trading, and what regulation might look like in this fast-growing space. Plus, Kristi Noem is out as Homeland Security Secretary, the Pentagon labels Anthropic a “supply chain risk,” and the war with Iran enters its seventh day.   Mary Daly - 16:08 Sean Maloney - 33:25   In this episode: Steve Liesman, @steveliesman  Mary Daly, @MaryDalyEcon Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

For the first time since Lyndon Johnson was in the White House, Berkshire Hathaway has a new CEO.  Greg Abel joins us in his major interview since taking over for the legendary Warren Buffett at the beginning of the year.  The company has resumed repurchasing its own shares for the first time since 2024, and Abel announced his plans to use his annual compensation each year to buy additional shares in Berkshire. Plus, the latest in the he-said, he-said drama of OpenAI, Anthropic and the Pentagon.    Greg Abel: 16:00   In this episode:  Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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 the Trump Administration will roll out a series of measures aimed at stabilizing oil shipments through the Persian Gulf, as Washington steps into the oil tensions.  He also addressed President Trump’s latest tariff policy.  CNBC’s Dan Murphy reports from Dubai on the main energy traffic artery the Strait of Hormuz, and Sam Altman told OpenAI employees the company doesn’t get to choose how the military uses its technology.  And, CNBC Cures’ first summit brought together rare disease families, care providers, regulators and innovators to tackle some of the world’s most difficult diagnoses.  Check out CNBC Cures and watch videocasts of The Path with Becky on YouTube.   Scott Bessent         14:16 CNBC Cures             35:32   In this episode: Dan Murphy, @dan_murphy Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

President Trump says the U.S. will provide insurance to Persian Gulf tankers to ease the traffic slowdown in the Straight ot Hormuz, tech companies are scrambling to ensure safety of employees in the Middle East, cybersecurity company Crowdstrike beat analysts’ expectations for the fourth quarter, Ross Stores seeing an uptick in shoppers at the off-price retailer, and Democratic lawmakers are potentially working on a proposal that could lead to the breakup and American meatpacking companies 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.-Iran conflict enters its fourth day, spreading across the region and pushing oil prices higher. CNBC’s Dan Murphy reports on the latest military developments and what the surge in energy costs could mean for markets. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers prepare to vote on President Trump’s war powers in Iran. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) explains why he opposes the strikes and argues Congress must reassert its authority. And, as AI becomes a tool of modern combat, Christoff & Co. CEO Niki Christoff discusses the Pentagon’s partnerships, Anthropic’s dispute with the Defense Department, and whether meaningful guardrails are possible. Plus, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon addresses President Trump’s $5 billion debanking lawsuit, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admits a recent defense deal was rushed.   Dan Murphy - 02:49 Sen. Tim Kane - 15:35 Nikki Christoff - 27:37   In this episode: Niki Christoff, @NikiChristoff Sen. Tim Kaine, @TimKaine Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Zach Vallese, @zachvallese  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 2024, Jeffrey Allen applied to the first season of “Beast Games,” a reality competition show on Amazon Prime Video that was inspired by the Netflix series “Squid Game” and created by YouTuber MrBeast. Why did this California Dad want to be on a game show?  “Beast Games” offered the largest cash prize in history – and Allen wanted to make a difference in the search for a cure for his son Lucas’ rare disease.   Lucas was diagnosed as a toddler with Creatine Transporter Deficiency, or CTD, a rare genetic mutation that blocks the transport of the natural source of energy from the brain and muscle.  Symptoms can include difficulty growing and gaining weight, slowed development of motor skills, intellectual disabilities, autistic behaviors and seizures, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. There are, estimated, just a few hundred CTD patients worldwide.   Known as Player 831, Jeffrey Allen won the first season of “Beast Games” and the massive $10 million prize. “It’s all a miracle,” he says about the serendipitous achievement and the gift of parenting Lucas.    To follow “Ruck for Rare,” visit: https://creatineinfo.org/ruck4rare/   Join us in advancing awareness and understanding of rare diseases. Visit CNBC.com/Cures to access clips, resources, or to sign up for our weekly newsletter.    Follow Becky Quick on X: @BeckyQuick   Please share your thoughts or rare disease story in the comments, and join us on The Path. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More U.S. forces head to the Middle East, following the initial strikes in Iran by the U.S. and Israel. CNBC reporters Dan Murphy and Brian Sullivan on the market and global energy industry’s response.  Veteran and venture capitalist Alex Harstrick describes Operation Epic Fury as, potentially, the first “AI War” and the language barriers between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon when it comes to artificial intelligence.  And, former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein looks back on an epic Wall Street career    Dan Murphy          2:27 Brian Sullivan          11:37 Alex Harstrick       24:42 Lloyd Blankfein      34:00   In this episode: Dan Murphy, @dan_murphy Brian Sullivan, @SullyCNBC Lloyd Blankfein, @lloydblankfein Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie 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.

OpenAI has closed a staggering $110 billion funding round, more than doubling its record-setting raise from just a year ago. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joins alongside Amazon CEO Andy Jassy to discuss the massive new capital infusion, the details behind OpenAI and Amazon’s $50 billion strategic partnership, and what comes next for agentic AI. Then, IBM vice chairman and former Trump NEC director Gary Cohn reacts to news that Block is cutting 40% of its workforce, citing AI efficiencies. Cohn discusses what those cuts signal about the future of work, the broader economy, and the market’s AI-fueled momentum. Plus, Paramount Skydance moves closer to a deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, and President Trump meets with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.   Gary Cohn                       18:23 Sam Altman & Andy Jassy          32:55   In this episode: Gary Cohn, @Gary_D_Cohn Sam Altman, @sama Andy Jassy, @ajassy Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Zach Vallese, @ZachVallese Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After reporting a strong quarter, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks to Becky Quick about his company’s future and the future of the AI landscape–including the ongoing standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discusses the agency’s push for reforms and expedited drug approvals, particularly for rare disease therapies. Plus, Beast Games Season 2 finale is out on Amazon Prime, and season three is already in preproduction. Beast Industries CEO Jeff Housenbold discusses his ambitions of building another Disney while producing the most-followed person on the internet, Mr. Beast.    Dr. Marty Makary - 17:16 Jeff Housenbold - 33:30   In this episode: Dr. Marty Makary, @DrMakaryFDA Jeff Housenbold, @jtbold Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin,  @andrewrsorkin Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.