Squawk Pod 5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 2/2/2026
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Feb 2, 2026 Markets react to a historic sell-off in gold and silver, leaving metals on edge. Oil retreats after signals of talks with Iran, shifting energy sentiment. A career government economist is tapped to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Plans surface to close the Kennedy Center for two years of renovations. A new Amazon documentary opens to stronger-than-expected box office returns.
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Commodities React Sharply To Geopolitics
- Gold and silver suffered their worst day since 1980, showing sharp metal-market volatility.
- Oil pulled back after President Trump said Iran was 'seriously talking' with the U.S., cutting WTI about 5.25%.
Oil Prices Drop On Diplomatic Signals
- Oil prices fell notably after comments about U.S.-Iran talks, reflecting sensitivity to diplomatic developments.
- WTI was down roughly 5.25% to $61.78 amid the headlines about ongoing discussions.
New BLS Nominee After Prior Firing
- President Trump nominated longtime government economist Brett Matsumoto to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The move follows the president's August firing of the previous BLS commissioner and highlights ongoing leadership changes.