Squawk on the Street

Dan Greenhouse, Chief Market Strategist at Solus Alternative Asset Management, shares his insights on the bullish case for stocks, driven by AI spending and consumer resilience. The discussion also delves into SoftBank's massive $40 billion commitment to OpenAI and what it means for the tech landscape. They explore Meta's recent acquisition aimed at enhancing AI agents and highlight Guggenheim's unexpected retail picks for 2026, while examining the impacts of holiday return trends on retailers and the innovative role of AI in restaurants.

Mike Santoli, a senior markets commentator at CNBC, provides insightful analysis on market trends and investment themes. He discusses the recent rebound in precious metals and the impact of a weaker dollar on commodities. Stacey Rasgen, a senior semiconductor analyst at Bernstein, dives into the AI-driven semiconductor cycle, emphasizing the significance of SoftBank's $40 billion investment in OpenAI. They explore the competitive landscape of AI hardware, including the dynamics between GPUs and TPUs, while touching on major industry players and their strategies.

In this discussion, Adam Parker, Founder of Trivariate Research, underscores the significance of earnings growth over valuations for market performance in 2026. Jonathan Kanter, a former antitrust prosecutor, analyzes Nvidia's unique Groq deal and its implications for regulatory scrutiny. Richard Haass, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, shares insights on the fragile state of Middle East diplomacy, particularly regarding Israel and Iran, stressing the challenges of achieving peace in the region.

Claudia Sahm, a former Federal Reserve economist and chief economist at New Century Advisors, shares her optimistic outlook for the 2026 economy focusing on the labor market and fiscal stimulus. She discusses the potential rise in unemployment and implications for Federal Reserve policy, particularly regarding expected rate cuts. The conversation also touches on how to measure AI's productivity impact and the challenges of detecting gains in broad data. Sahm's insights provide a thought-provoking perspective on the economic landscape ahead.

Torsten Slock, Chief Economist at Apollo Global Management, dives into the surprising economic tailwinds boosting growth into 2026, thanks to lower oil prices and easing trade tensions. He highlights the risks of AI concentration in markets and discusses Japan's unique currency dynamics and capital flows from U.S. Treasuries. Slock also examines the Fed's cautious approach to rate cuts amid persistent inflation. The conversation is packed with insights on market movers and the potential impact on investors.

David Faber, a CNBC journalist known for breaking significant tech stories, joins to discuss recent market movements. He elaborates on Nvidia's groundbreaking $20 billion deal to acquire Grok's assets, highlighting its implications for the chip industry. The conversation also dives into record highs in major metals, driven by strong demand, and the potential for a Santa Claus rally in the stock market. With insights on Tesla’s future from a former board member and an outlook for key retail players like Nike and Lululemon, the discussion is dynamite for investors.

Jeremy Siegel, renowned Wharton School professor and WisdomTree chief economist, provides insights on recent jobless claims and potential market risks. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, discusses the fragility of growth despite low layoffs and critiques inflation metrics. John Flavin, CEO of Portal Innovations, shares his take on the recent Sanofi-Dynavax deal and predicts a robust year for pharma M&A in 2026, highlighting investment themes like AI's impact on drug discovery and therapeutic advancements.

Bill Nygren, a long-time value investor and portfolio manager at Oakmark Funds, discusses the current market landscape, highlighting his views on Warner Bros. Discovery and financial sector opportunities. Retail expert Jan Kniffen shares insights on holiday shopping trends, emphasizing consumer behavior, inventory challenges, and promotional strategies. Together, they explore hopes for a Santa Claus rally, while Nygren also touches on appealing investments in energy and banks as the market approaches the year's end.

Jim Cramer asserts that Nvidia's recent decline makes no sense, emphasizing the need to analyze stocks based on their fundamentals. He also points out the vulnerabilities of Amazon while praising Alphabet for its impressive performance. Join Cramer and Jeff Marks for a deeper dive into the market's major narratives and explore exclusive insights as members of the CNBC Investing Club!

Annika Constantino, a CNBC reporter covering health news, reveals insights from her interview with Novo Nordisk's CEO about the FDA's groundbreaking approval of the first oral GLP-1 weight-loss pill. Lord Jim O'Neill shares a keen outlook on global markets, discussing China’s stimulus efforts and trends among BRICS nations. John Lavallo from UBS explores significant potential U.S. housing reforms, their potential impact on affordability, and builders' margins, suggesting innovative policies to tackle housing challenges.