Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba, Chinese tech celebrity, and outspoken innovator in China, has not been seen in public for two months. China Beige Book International CEO Leland Miller discusses why the CCP and the Chinese banking sector might be pleased that Ma is lying low. Miller considers the global community’s theories on Ma’s disappearance and what China’s crackdown on tech means for President-elect Biden’s international agenda. CNBC’s Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon shares China’s response...
Jan 05, 2021•29 min
As the final count in Georgia’s runoff elections draws nearer, Axios co-founder Jim Vandehei breaks down what’s at stake on both sides of the aisle. CNBC’s Eamon Javers recaps the other political story in the Peach State: President Trump’s hour-long call with Georgia’s Secretary of State. American vaccinations are underway, but Dr. Scott Gottlieb considers potential speed bumps in the U.S. supply and distribution system. Plus, it’s a new year, which means new resolutions. WW CEO Mindy Grossman e...
Jan 04, 2021•41 min
In the final episode of the year, CNBC Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon shares life in China, a year after the world’s first case of Covid-19 within its borders. CNBC’s Leslie Picker breaks down the most impressive hedge fund returns of the year. Joe Kernen and Becky ring in New Zealand’s New Year together and reflect on the year that was, both emotionally and financially. Looking to 2021, Axios co-founder Mike Allen considers what’s at stake in the Georgia runoffs, and what’s to come in the eve...
Dec 31, 2020•27 min
Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) shares why he remains against upping the American stimulus checks from $600 to $2000 amid the pandemic. CNBC’s Senior Economics Reporter Steve Liesman breaks down the economic arguments on both sides of the stimulus debate. The United Kingdom has approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, and the shot will join the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine distribution already underway there. Dan Loeb’s activist hedge fund Third Point is pushing chipmaker Inte...
Dec 30, 2020•31 min
American Airlines is operating the first U.S. flight of the Boeing 737 Max since the craft was grounded in March or 2019. CNBC’s Auto and Airline Industry Reporter Phil LeBeau is on that first flight from Miami to New York. Plus, EU-based cloud communications platform MessageBird is taking on Twilio with its $3B valuation. In the second interview of the $1B+ Club series, MessageBird CEO Robert Vis and one of his investors, Spark Capital GP Will Reed, discuss how they’re betting on an omnichannel...
Dec 29, 2020•16 min
This year has been painful for many businesses, but some tech-focused startups have managed to thrive amid the pandemic. In the $1B+ Club series debut, founder and CEO Klaviyo, Andrew Bialecki, shares how his marketing automation platform quintupled its valuation to $4.15B in the last 10 months. Ping Li, venture capitalist who led Accel’s investment in Klaviyo, discusses how Klaviyo joins a healthy cohort of e-commerce platforms, and highlights how Klaviyo has helped many struggling businesses p...
Dec 28, 2020•22 min
In an original conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, anchors Joe Kernen and Becky Quick reflect on the roller coaster year of the pandemic--market turns, tech glitches, binge watches and all. The two CNBC hosts Zoom in (and out) for a look at what filled their years with gratitude, energy, and hope. Plus, a White Elephant exchange: 2021 predictions, streaming recommendations, and wishes for the new year. Happy Holidays! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informatio...
Dec 24, 2020•23 min
After last minute input from President Trump, the $900B relief bill passed by Congress may be back to the negotiating table. The New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman shares why the situation is “suboptimal” across the board, and he discusses what’s next for lawmakers and Americans awaiting aid. Surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and staff writer for The New Yorker Dr. Atul Gawande discusses coronavirus risks ahead of the holidays and the likelihood of a Covid mutation spreading worldwide. ...
Dec 23, 2020•38 min
Apple’s efforts to get its own electric passenger vehicle on the road might finally be picking up speed. The Sunday Times West Coast Correspondent Danny Fortson discusses reports that Apple’s taking on Tesla with its own EV, how the tech giant will do it, and why it makes sense. Plus, Congress has finally passed a $900B relief package for Americans. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) discuss their work in the Problem Solvers Caucus to bridge the partisan divide a...
Dec 22, 2020•28 min
New strains of the Covid-19 virus have been found in Britain and South Africa and doctors are warning it could be even more contagious than the original strain. Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses what a mutated strain of coronavirus means for vaccine efforts and a global recovery. The pandemic has prompted higher education institutions to rethink tuition costs, and Purdue University has found a way to freeze its costs for a decade. Purdue President Mitch Daniels explains priori...
Dec 21, 2020•30 min
Vice President Mike Pence received the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in a televised appearance today in an effort to boost public confidence in its effectiveness. President-elect Joe Biden could be vaccinated as soon as next week. As the country awaits final approval for Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb raises concerns about the shot supply and volume. CNBC's Meg Tirrell explains the imminent vaccine rollouts that could keep the U.S. on target for its dis...
Dec 18, 2020•38 min
As the U.S. works to ensure efficient and effective vaccine distribution, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urges Americans to remain cautious while they hope for a healthier future. Officials are recommending pared down holiday celebrations, and the first round of vaccine recipients are lining up to get--and showcase--the jab. Plus, the dealmaker behind the Viacom-CBS merger, Verizon’s purchase of Yahoo!, and the Snap IPO has unveiled his expectations for mergers and acquisitions in...
Dec 17, 2020•34 min
Only 5% to 20% of the coronavirus antibody drugs that have been shipped across the U.S. are being used to treat people who are infected according to CNBC’s Senior Health & Science reporter, Meg Tirrell. Former FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb. says some states may struggle with last-mile logistics of getting therapeutics to patients and administering Covid vaccines. He said “you’re going to see some stark differences in accessibility across the states” as shots become available for Ameri...
Dec 16, 2020•31 min
Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon address the biggest challenges facing the backbone of the American economy: the thousands of small businesses struggling with no sign of federal relief. “It’s an economic war,” says America’s best-known investor, about the uneven prospects of recovery for smaller firms. Buffett urges Congress to do something - now - and start with a new Paycheck Protection Program. “Just renew the PPP and get us to the end of the tunn...
Dec 15, 2020•27 min
An historic day after months of research and clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine delivery is underway, with millions of doses being distributed across the country. CNBC Senior Health & Science Reporter Meg Tirrell joins Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin with special guest Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla. Bourla describes the rollout of the life-saving inoculation, reaching dosing goals and combating vaccine hesitancy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ad...
Dec 14, 2020•37 min
Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky sat down with Andrew Ross Sorkin ahead of the company’s landmark IPO. Public listings have been on a tear this year in the market’s epic recovery rally from the coronavirus-fueled rout in March. Airbnb, the company that allows users to book short-term rentals and experiences while traveling, jumped 112% during its first day as a public company yesterday. Chesky details how investors should think about regulatory risks, how the pandemic impacted the company ...
Dec 11, 2020•34 min
The Food and Drug Administration votes today on whether to recommend the approval of Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. CVS Health Chief Executive Larry Merlo said the company is ready to administer “vaccines into the arms of some of our most vulnerable populations” within 24 to 48 hours upon receiving its share of Covid-19 vaccines. Starbucks lost billions of dollars in sales this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but sales in the United States and China have been ...
Dec 10, 2020•32 min
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he wants Congress to pass a coronavirus relief bill with neither legal immunity for businesses nor state and local government relief. Congress is trying to come to agreement on coronavirus relief and government funding before the end of the year, and have a new proposal from the White House to consider. Stimulus checks, liability protections and state and local aid are some of the biggest sticking points remaining in discussions. Brain fog, severe fati...
Dec 09, 2020•36 min
The United Kingdom has administered the coronavirus vaccine to its first recipient just 10 months after Covid-19 took hold around the globe. Shopify is making projections for the 2021 shopping season, and President Harley Finkelstein says retail’s future is in the hands of the youngest consumers, entrepreneurs, and social media platforms. Uber sold its self-driving unit to $10B startup Aurora; Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Aurora CEO Chris Urmson discuss the deal and the road ahead for self-dri...
Dec 08, 2020•31 min
Axios co-founder Mike Allen reveals what he’s watching as we approach the Presidential inauguration on January 20th. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb looks ahead to 2021 as he considers indoor dining safety and vaccine availability. DoorDash and Airbnb are planning their respective IPOs this week, part of a week of debuts that will likely total nearly $8 billion in capital raised. Plus, much of California is back on lockdown and Florida is hotter than ever--for tax breaks, that is. Gol...
Dec 07, 2020•27 min
Tom Friedman, New York Times foreign affairs columnist, shares takeaways from his conversation with President-Elect Joe Biden as negotiations for stimulus wear on and coronavirus cases rise. E-document company DocuSign reported a solid third quarter, building on a 200%+ stock rise throughout the pandemic. DocuSign CEO Dan Springer makes the case for all things electronic even after the pandemic ends. Plus, AT&T’s WarnerMedia will simultaneously release all of its 2021 films for streaming on ...
Dec 04, 2020•26 min
Discovery is the latest media company to jump into the streaming wars with Discovery+. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Verizon Consumer Group CEO Ronan Dunne discuss their partnership, the two-tiered streaming service, and the year of ad-free content for 55 million customers. If you’re cashing in some of your Bitcoin this year, the IRS wants to know about it. CNBC’s Sharon Epperson reports that the IRS is eyeing crypto profits with new tax disclosures for digital holdings. Plus, a $900 billion co...
Dec 03, 2020•27 min
The Nasdaq has proposed a new rule to require its 3,000+ listed companies to disclose Board of Directors demographics. Ursula Burns, former Xerox CEO and board member at Uber, Nestle, and ExxonMobil, joins Ford Foundation president Darren Walker in a discussion about diversity’s impact on the financial bottom line, finding diverse talent, and encouraging evolution in corporate America. Rent the Runway CEO Jenn Hyman says despite casual pandemic fashion trends, her business is holding steady. A C...
Dec 02, 2020•33 min
In the new normal of distanced, remote activities, video conferencing services like Zoom and gym-free fitness companies like Brooks Running have become staples of pandemic life. Zoom Chief Financial Officer Kelly Steckleberg discusses the company’s most recent financial results and why the virtual shift--and Zoom’s value--is here to stay, through the pandemic and beyond. Brooks Running Company CEO Jim Weber takes stock of his customers, new and old, who’ve turned to his brand for mental and phys...
Dec 01, 2020•31 min
In the wake of the Thanksgiving holiday, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses the rise in coronavirus cases and the troublesome trend that’s likely to continue. Political strategist Frank Luntz considers leveraging rhetoric to end the pandemic, and he digs into the politicization of the current health crisis. As bitcoin marches higher, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, founders of the cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, make the case for digital currencies, a $500,000 bitcoin, and a worl...
Nov 30, 2020•34 min
On a Black Friday unlike any other, CNBC’s Bertha Coombs reports on the scene outside a New Jersey mall. Former Saks CEO Steve Sadove and former Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon unpack what 2020’s retail landscape means for shopping seasons to come. Vanity Fair’s Bethany McLean and The NYT’s Kate Kelly discuss what Wall Streeters can expect--or not expect--from their bonuses this year; amid the country’s health, political, and economic environment, some firms may offer a holiday payout, and others ma...
Nov 27, 2020•31 min
In a special pandemic holiday episode, singer-songwriter Jewel opens up about her history with mental health, overcoming trauma, and practicing gratitude. As part of a CNBC virtual event for the “Workforce Executive Council,” Becky Quick interviews the musical artist and activist about her self-taught methodology for overcoming anxiety, and her work to share that method with kids and companies around the world. Hudson’s Bay Company CEO Richard Baker shares his experience applying Jewel’s work to...
Nov 26, 2020•29 min
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 30,000 for the first time ever, putting the index up 62% from its pandemic lows in March. The MTA, the biggest public transportation network in the country, is asking the federal government for $12 billion in aid as it struggles to recuperate from low ridership amid the pandemic. Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye explains why the $12B isn’t just for NYC, but for the entire U.S. economy. Plus, first time cooking a turkey this holiday? The Butterball Turke...
Nov 25, 2020•24 min
PayPal customers will soon be able to buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies on the platform, and starting in 2021, customers will be able use crypto to pay retailers via PayPal. CEO Dan Schulman is betting that crypto confidence and popularity is only beginning. Tim Armstrong, founder of the dtx company and former Oath CEO, has partnered with Olympic skier Bode Miller to make 2020’s ski season safer and more profitable. Miller is using dtx-powered QR codes to keep ski and snowboard resorts safe a...
Nov 24, 2020•36 min
AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine is the third one to prove highly effective in late-stage trials. AstraZeneca Executive Vice President Ruud Dobber explains differentiators of his company’s vaccine, and why between his company, Pfizer, and Moderna, he has high hopes for an accessible vaccine. New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman discusses the next steps in the race for a vaccine and in the Presidential transition. Plus, political pollster and strategist Frank Luntz unpacks what’s at stake on the b...
Nov 23, 2020•38 min
