Squawk Pod

Operation Hope founder John Hope Bryant is working with former SEC Chair Jay Clayton to expand financial literacy and inclusion across the country, in an effort to shrink poverty and the wealth gap in the U.S. Nonresident Fellow at Brookings and NBC News contributor Dr. Kavita Patel considers what a third wave of Covid in Europe may mean for the pandemic trajectory here at home. A Covid-free world, she suggests, may not be the post-pandemic reality. Investors are eyeing GameStop after its quarterly earnings call; Hightower CIO and Portfolio Manager Stephanie Link weighs the risks of the meme stock trade. Plus, Elon Musk is midnight tweeting, and the markets are digesting comments from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AstraZeneca’s good vaccine news is tempered by federal health officials voicing concerns about the company’s data. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell digests the news and considers the blow’s impact to the vaccination timeline in the U.S. A year after U.S. stocks plummeted on fears of the coronavirus pandemic, markets have bounced back, in what Mike Santoli calls their best year since the 1930s. CEOs are facing tough decisions as they plan office reopenings; KPMG CEO Paul Knopp shares results from his survey of 140 other U.S. CEOs, addressing C-suite concerns for safety, employee demands for flexibility, and workplace vaccination disclosures post-pandemic. Plus, March Madness has spelled good fortune for the newest addition to the S&P 500: Penn National Gaming. CEO Jay Snowden discusses bets, brackets, and expanding American gambling.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AstraZeneca has unveiled new data on its Covid-19 vaccine, revealing that it’s 79% effective at preventing symptomatic cases. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell explains the news, and AstraZeneca U.S. SVP and President of the Biopharmaceuticals Business Unit Dr. Ruud Dobber shares details and implications from the new study. Some of Wall Street’s junior bankers are banding together to shine a light on the 100 hour work weeks taking a toll on their physical and mental health. New York Times reporter Kate Kelly and Vanity Fair special correspondent William Cohan discuss the generational divide on Wall Street, from work ethic to work-life balance. The wealthiest Americans are finding ways to avoid their taxes, ARK’s Cathie Wood has a new price target for Tesla, and the Kernens are betting on their (individual) basket brackets. Plus, happy 90th birthday William Shatner! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

States across the country are relaxing of pandemic rules as more Americans are vaccinated against Covid. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy discusses vaccine eligibility, reluctance, and efficacy as he reopens business across his state. Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer says the restaurant industry has learned helpful lessons from the pandemic despite its struggles. “When we get to the point where we’re 100% indoor, plus outdoor dining, shipping, takeout, delivery, it’s going to be better than it’s ever been.” Plus, the Biden team has its first meeting with China, the NFL’s locked a $100 billion deal, and March Madness is ready for its comeback. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Description: In a surprise move, Ulta Beauty CEO Mary Dillon announced her departure from the company she’s led since 2013. She reflects on the business’s massive turnaround under her leadership, and she considers the future of beauty, above and below the mask line. In a conversation recorded exclusively for Squawk Pod, Becky Quick discusses Dillon’s legacy on Wall Street. CNBC’s Jon Fortt offers both sides of the NFT debate: growing bubble, or blockchain braintrust? Plus, the Fed’s moving markets, movie theaters are back in action, Joe’s making pizza, and Andrew’s ordering in. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg shares her “secret to life” in a conversation about her new book; she discusses “owning it” and dressing to impress ourselves in a post-pandemic world. Plus, in a conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, Andrew Ross Sorkin is spilling his wardrobe secrets to this at-home Zooming, broadcasting, reporting reality. Tom Gimbel, CEO of staffing and recruiting firm LaSalle Network, reveals results of a C-suite survey about office life after the pandemic and discusses employer and employee expectations, post-Covid. On the anniversary of our first fully remote experience, Dr. Scott Gottlieb outlines safety measures and vaccination strategies for offices hoping to reopen. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One year after markets tanked on fears of the coronavirus pandemic, stocks are looking up, and travel is picking up. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby and CNBC’s Phil LeBeau discuss why the airline industry is optimistic about long-term travel demand as more and more people get vaccinated, and why a global minimum tax rate for corporations could mean industry turbulence ahead. Sotheby’s is partnering with digital artist PAK for its first sale of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. CEO Charles Stewart considers the art world’s journey to digital assets and the audience and aesthetic opportunities this new crypto-art offers. Plus, countries are suspending use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Moderna is testing its own vaccine on children and babies, and as vaccinations ramp up, offices plan their reopening strategies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci is warning state leaders that the nation’s battle with the coronavirus is still “not in the end zone.” He urged Americans to adhere to public health measures despite the ramp-up of vaccinations, pointing to new infection spikes in Europe as a cautionary tale of relaxing too soon. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, member of the boards of Pfizer and biotech company Illumina and former FDA commissioner, says Europe’s rise in Covid cases isn’t predictive of the U.S. trajectory, due partly to the progress in vaccinating the nation. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also discusses his decision to lift capacity limits on dining, retail and religious institutions, but mask mandates and distancing protocols remain in place in public spaces. Plus, airline travel picks up and Tesla CEO Elon Musk now has a new title.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A $69 million price tag for a digital piece has taken the art world by storm. CNBC’s Wealth Reporter Robert Frank shares details of Beeple’s enormous deal. Reddit co-founder and venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian weighs in on NFTs and Leore Avidar, founder and CEO of alternative assets, shares his vision of a world beyond cash. Plus, the Grammy Awards are this weekend; Kevin Liles, CEO of 300 Entertainment, the record label behind Megan Thee Stallion, Fetty Wap, and Young Thug, discusses live music in a post pandemic world.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s been a year since the World Health Organization officially declared Covid-19 a pandemic on March, 11, 2020. In that time, there have been more than 29 million Covid cases in the U.S. and 527,720 people have died. Today, Pfizer said its Covid-19 vaccine blocked 94% of asymptomatic infections in an Israeli study – a result CEO Albert Bourla called “extremely important.” The study also found the vaccine was at least 97% effective against symptomatic Covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Plus, Becky and Joe’s pandemic recipes and Andrew’s favorite workout. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.