Squawk Pod: 5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell – 10/29/2025

Overview

On this episode of Squawk Pod, co-host Becky Quick delivers the top five stories investors and market-watchers need to know before trading begins on October 29, 2025. The episode covers breaking developments from interest rate expectations and global geopolitical tensions to market-moving corporate news, the US air traffic controller crisis, and extreme weather. With trademark clarity, Quick summarizes key news impacting Wall Street’s open, providing essential context for a busy day ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anticipated Federal Reserve Rate Cut

[01:12]

• The Federal Reserve is expected to announce its latest interest rate decision at 2pm Eastern time.

• Widespread market consensus anticipates a quarter point rate cut.

• Implications: Lower rates would mark a shift in monetary policy, impacting everything from equity markets to mortgage rates.

  Quote [01:13]
  "The Federal Reserve set to announce its latest interest rate decision at 2pm Eastern time. It's widely expected to cut rates by a quarter point."
  — Becky Quick

2. Gaza Ceasefire in Jeopardy

[01:29]

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered significant strikes in the Gaza Strip.

• The strikes are said to be retaliation for alleged Hamas attacks on Israeli forces in the city of Rafah.

• Escalation risks further destabilizing the region and rattling global markets.

  Quote [01:30]
  "The Gaza Cease Fire in Jeopardy... [Netanyahu] ordered powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip immediately... in retaliation for what Israel says was a Hamas attack on its forces in the city of Rafah."
  — Becky Quick

3. US Air Traffic Controller Crisis Amid Government Shutdown

[01:56]

• Hundreds of air traffic controllers have taken second jobs after missing paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown.

• Result: Increased sick calls, further straining an already understaffed system.

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that controller absences are the primary cause of the thousands of daily flight delays.

  Quote [01:58]
  "An executive at the air traffic controllers union says that hundreds of workers have taken second jobs after missing their first full paychecks because of the government shutdown. Those controllers have increasingly been calling in sick..."
  — Becky Quick

  Quote [02:18]
  "We are already seriously under understaffed when it comes to those air traffic controllers. So this shutdown is really putting things in a perilous situation."
  — Becky Quick

4. Record Results for Nvidia Supplier SK Hynix

[02:24]

• SK Hynix (incorrectly called "HK Hynix" in the transcript), a supplier for Nvidia, reported record revenue and profits.

• Demand for high bandwidth memory chips—crucial for AI chipsets—has soared.

• The 2026 supply of these chips is already sold out, driving shares up 7% in South Korea trading.

  Quote [02:27]
  "Shares of Nvidia supplier HK Hynix jumped in South Korea trading. The company reported record quarterly revenue and profit... high bandwidth memory chips that are used in AI chip sets. The company says its planned supply of memory products for 2026 are already sold out, that stock up by 7%."
  — Becky Quick

5. Hurricane Melissa Slams the Caribbean

[02:44]

• Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southeastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.

• The storm had already hit Jamaica as a Category 5 the previous day.

• There could be significant humanitarian and insurance implications.

  Quote [02:48]
  "Overnight hurricane Melissa making landfall in southeastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds near 125 miles an hour. That hurricane slamming into Jamaica yesterday as a powerful Category 5 storm."
  — Becky Quick

Notable Quotes

• On Air Traffic Controller Shortage:
  "We are already seriously under understaffed when it comes to those air traffic controllers. So this shutdown is really putting things in a perilous situation." [02:18] — Becky Quick

• On the AI Chip Boom:
  "The company says its planned supply of memory products for 2026 are already sold out, that stock up by 7%." [02:32] — Becky Quick

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Fed Rate Decision Preview: 01:12
• Israel-Gaza Update: 01:29
• Air Traffic Controller Impact & Flight Delays: 01:56 – 02:18
• SK Hynix/Nvidia/AI Chips: 02:24
• Hurricane Melissa: 02:44

Tone and Takeaways

The episode maintains a brisk, matter-of-fact CNBC style—clear, direct, and data-driven. Becky Quick distills complexity into sharp headlines, balancing market implications with global context. The focus is on actionable information, delivered in a calm, authoritative tone, readying listeners for a volatile and news-heavy day ahead.

Summary

This episode gives listeners a solid, efficient run-through of the five stories shaping the U.S. market open: an expected Fed rate cut, deteriorating conditions in the Middle East, a worrisome labour crunch for air traffic controllers, booming AI chip demand driving big stock moves, and a major hurricane’s aftermath in the Caribbean. It’s a punchy package designed to inform trading and decision-making before the bell rings.