Squawk on the Street SOTS 2nd Hour: New Jobs Data, Trump Agenda Latest, & UBS's Healthcare Playbook 1/8/25
Jan 8, 2026
Becky Quick, a CNBC anchor focused on rare diseases, shares her personal connection to the topic, introducing the CNBC Cures initiative to drive awareness and action. Ian Bremmer, a geopolitical analyst, offers insights on U.S. strategies in Venezuela and NATO's evolving dynamics. Michael Yee, UBS's biotech expert, discusses the surge in biotech M&A and the promising market for obesity drugs. Diana Olick analyzes housing market trends, revealing cautious optimism, while Rick Santelli reviews key economic indicators shaping the markets.
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Productivity Boom Eases Inflation Pressure
- Productivity surged 4.9% in Q3, the strongest since 2023, easing inflationary pressures for companies.
- Sustained productivity gains could reduce the need for aggressive Fed easing and support growth without massive hiring.
Low Layoffs, Low Hiring Creates Unusual Labor Mix
- Weekly jobless claims remain low and Challenger layoffs fell to their lowest since July 2024, signaling fewer firings.
- This mix of low firing and muted hiring creates a high-productivity, low-turnover labor market that complicates Fed policy.
Populist Economic Push Targets Affordability
- The administration is pushing a populist affordability agenda targeting defense, housing, and autos to court voters.
- Measures include curbing defense buybacks, banning big investors from single-family homes, and an auto loan interest deduction.