Squawk Pod

As Russia bombards Ukraine and advances on Kyiv, and Western powers consider deterrence strategies, market swings match changes in the power dynamic. After a call between China’s President Xi and Russia’s President Putin, Russian news outlets reported that Russia would be willing to start talks with Ukraine at a meeting in Minsk. Niall Ferguson, renowned historian, Hoover Institution senior fellow and founder of Greenmantle, discusses Europe’s reliance on Russia’s oil and gas. As investors seek safe haven amid international conflict, crypto bull Anthony Pompliano considers whether bitcoin counts as “digital gold,” or a safe hedge in times of uncertainty. Plus, the Musk brothers are still in hot water with the SEC. In this episode:Anthony Pompliano, @APomplianoNiall Ferguson, @nfergusJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Russia has launched an invasion of its neighbor Ukraine, with military assaults on several key Ukrainian cities including its capital, Kyiv. City officials said the offensive has already killed dozens of soldiers and several civilians. Jack Jacobs, retired U.S. army colonel and a Medal of Honor recipient, discusses global deterrence strategy and says, "It is a war, there's no doubt about it." CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports on how the White House is reacting to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, NBC’s Matt Bradley is on the ground in Moscow, and Eunice Yoon reports from Beijing, where China has refused to call the Russian attack on Ukraine an ‘invasion.’ Kyle Bass, founder and CIO of the global events-focused hedge fund Hayman Capital Management, discusses Russia’s relationship with China and what this could mean for the future of Taiwan. Plus, CNBC’s Dominic Chu tracks the market’s response to Russia’s aggression, eyeing wheat and oil prices and considering a war’s impact on inflation. In this episode:Jack Jacobs, @ColJackJacobsKyle Bass, @JkylebassKayla Tausche, @kaylatauscheEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvDom Chu, @TheDominoJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams discusses her new book, “Level Up: Rise Above the Hidden Forces Holding Your Business Back,” and shares her plan for bolstering small businesses across the country. In a wide-ranging conversation, Abrams covers Congressional fundraising, voting rights, and the state of the Democratic Party. As Russia appears poised for further invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. is imposing economic sanctions on the country in hopes of determent. CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports on the nature of the sanctions, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo explains how the U.S. and its allies may help show President Putin all that’s at stake for his country, should he persist. Plus, Elon Musk is airing his frustration with the Biden administration, more truckers are airing their frustrations with vaccine mandates and inflation, and Covid cases have plummeted over 90% in just five weeks.  In this episode:Stacey Abrams, @staceyabramsWally Adeyemo, @wallyadeyemoKayla Tausche, @kaylatauscheJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie 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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine after announcing Monday evening that he would recognize their independence. NBC’s Matt Bradley reports from Kiev on the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as international implications for China and responses from the EU, UN, and NATO. Marriott CEO Tony Capuano discusses the rebound in leisure travel and the impact of Covid-19 on its business. Home Depot reported a strong fiscal fourth quarter and projected more growth ahead for 2022, but some investors wonder if home improvement’s hot streak will cool as inflation rises and pandemic concerns wane. Plus, Credit Suisse is weathering a dramatic data leak, and Elon Musk is still squabbling with the SEC. Happy Margarita Day!!In this episode:Tony Capuano, @MarriottMatt Bradley, @MattMcBradleyJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Warren Buffett is setting the record straight after The Wall Street Journal insinuated that Berkshire Hathaway might have had inside information on the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal that informed his own timely ATVI buy. Buffett said the stock buys were made by “one of the two investment managers who operate independently of me at Berkshire” – a reference to Berkshire investors Ted Weschler and Todd Combs – and were completed long before the acquisition was announced. Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO and the company’s largest shareholder, discusses the Activision Blizzard deal, investing--or not investing--in the metaverse, inflation, and the markets. As founder of the non-partisan, nonprofit data organization USA Facts, Ballmer shares data on the US population amid the pandemic, as well as misinformation. The Ukraine-Russia crisis entered a tense new day, as reports indicated there were new outbreaks of violence and ceasefire violations. Plus, happy fry-day!In this episode:Steve Ballmer, @Steven_BallmerJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ongoing tension at the Russia-Ukraine border continues to impact market sentiment. The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations says the conflict has reached a “crucial moment” and that Russia is moving toward “an imminent invasion.” Senate Republicans are blocking votes on President Joe Biden’s five nominees for the Federal Reserve Board, creating an impasse while the central bank is under increasing pressure to combat inflation. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND.), discusses delaying the vote and why he has particular ethical concerns for nominee Sarah Bloom Raskin. Jennifer Sey, former Levi’s Brand president, discusses how publicizing her personal views created problems for her career, and whether it’s happening to other employees across the country. Plus, there are big changes at the FAA and some tech stocks are beginning to lose their luster.In this episode:Sen. Kevin Cramer, @SenKevinCramerJennifer Sey, @JenniferSeyJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinPhil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsKatie 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.

Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel finds it “reasonable” to think the pandemic might be over, but economies and politics around the world must recover in its wake. Cameron Mitchell, CEO of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, discusses the increased labor and product costs hitting all restaurateurs, whether Covid ends or not. Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor and The Atlantic contributor, discusses Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his approach to truckers protesting vaccine mandates. Brooks considers leadership before and beyond the pandemic: “If you don't love everybody, if you don't believe in the equal dignity of all people, you can't be an effective leader.” The ‘Art of Happiness’ podcast host also discusses his new book, ‘From Strength to Strength.’ Plus, big media is making big moves, like ViacomCBS’s rebrand to Paramount Global, and the Squawk anchors are sharing their game show favorites. In this episode:Arthur Brooks, @arthurbrooksCameron Mitchell, @CMRColumbusJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie 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.

Russia appears to be backing away from an immediate invasion of Ukraine, cooling geopolitical tensions that have knocked the stock market down the last three days. Daleep Singh, deputy national security advisor for international economics and a deputy assistant to the President, discusses the Russia-Ukraine border crisis and confirms that the U.S. is prepared to levy severe sanctions on Russia, should President Putin pursue an invasion. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway bought roughly $1 billion in Activision Blizzard shares during the fourth quarter, right before Microsoft agreed to buy the video game maker. Plus, underwear company Tommy John sealed a deal with former PVH chairman and current partner at PE firm LNK Partners, Manny Chirico, who has joined the company’s board of directors. Tom Patterson, Tommy John co-founder and CEO, joins Manny Chirico to discuss their new partnership.In this episode:Tom Patterson, @tompattersonnycMatt Bradley, @MattMcBradleyJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie 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 super-sized episode, starting with St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard’s suggestion of a super-sized hike in interest rates. After Bullard’s original comments spooked the markets last week, he makes his case to mitigate 40-year inflation highs with a fast reaction from the U.S. central bank. Abroad, tensions between Russia and Ukraine--and now the rest of the world--remain unresolved, and investors gauging the geopolitics remain uncertain. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested Russia would continue diplomatic talks with the West, a move toward deescalation. Plus, The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56, but there was another battle--between crypto companies--during breaks from the game. President of crypto exchange FTX U.S. Brett Harrison discusses crypto commercials at the Super Bowl, his platform’s own collaboration with comedian Larry David, and Coinbase’s QR code that crashed its website. In this episode:James Bullard, @stlouisfedBrett Harrison, @Brett_FTXUSMike Santolli, @michaelsantoliBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie 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.

Inflation is squeezing consumer wallets, and it’s likely to soon start affecting the housing market. Becky Quick and Brian Sullivan discuss how the latest inflation data may strongarm the Fed into taking more aggressive economic action than originally planned for 2022. Truckers protesting vaccine mandates on the U.S.-Canada border are disrupting an already fraught auto industry. New York Times columnist Tom Friedman admits their right to protest and underlines his own right to label the activism “selfish.” As states begin to lift mask mandates, Dr. Scott Gottlieb considers the impact of rates of Covid infection. Cases might not decrease as rapidly, but he says they’ll remain on the decline. Plus, Congress is regulating their own portfolios, and Becky’s preparing for an #AskMeAnything interview with Berkshire Hathaway’s Charlie Munger. Submit questions of your own to dailyjournalquestions@cnbc.com! In this episode:Tom Friedman, @tomfriedmanDr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickBrian Sullivan, @SullyCNBCKatie 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.