Squawk Pod - Episode Summary

Episode: 5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 11/13/2025
Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Joe Kernen (with Becky Quick)

Main Theme

This concise episode of Squawk Pod with Joe Kernen and Becky Quick distills the top five business and economic stories to watch before markets open on November 13, 2025. The focus is on high-level legislative moves, economic aftershocks from a prolonged government shutdown, a Supreme Court case with major monetary policy ramifications, global AI competition, and the end of an American currency era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Government Shutdown Ends

• President Trump signed a bill reopening the government after a 43-day shutdown, resolving a weeks-long standoff.
  • Notably, key economic data remains lost: “White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt says that economic data that was missed because of the shutdown may never be released. This includes the October CPI and the jobs report. The Bureau of Labor Statistics couldn't collect the data that goes into those reports.”
    • Potential market uncertainty due to missing benchmark data.
  • “That’s it. I have to save some for my grandkids. I have...oddities. Like $2 bills I used to have and things when I was a kid.” (Joe Kernen, 01:36)

2. Supreme Court to Hear Monetary Policy Case

• The Supreme Court announced it will hear oral arguments on January 21 regarding President Trump's authority to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
  • This case could impact presidential powers and Fed independence.
  • No direct quote, but significance noted: major institutional precedent at stake.

3. Alibaba Overhauls Its AI Apps

• Alibaba is preparing a major overhaul of its leading AI applications, aiming to catch up with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
  • Bloomberg reports the goal is to create “fully functioning AI agents.”
  • A clear sign of escalating global competition in AI capabilities.

4. End of the US Penny

• The United States is ending production of the penny after over 230 years.
  • The final pennies were minted in Philadelphia.
  • Joe Kernen shares a personal note on saving odd coins for his grandkids, reflecting generational changes and nostalgia in currency.
    • Quote: “That’s it. I have to save some for my grandkids. I have future grand—I have some coin oddities. Yeah, like $2 bills I used to have and things when I was a kid.” (Joe Kernen, 01:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Missing Economic Data:
  “White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt says that economic data that was missed because of the shutdown may never be released. This includes the October CPI and the jobs report.”
  (Joe Kernen, 00:37)

• On Collectibles:
  “I have to save some for my grandkids. I have some coin oddities. Like $2 bills I used to have and things when I was a kid.”
  (Joe Kernen, 01:36)

Important Timestamps

• 00:20 – President Trump signs bill ending government shutdown
• 00:37 – Missing economic data (October CPI, jobs report)
• 00:47 – Supreme Court case on Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
• 00:55 – Alibaba’s AI overhaul
• 01:15 – Ending the penny: last coins minted
• 01:36 – Kernen reflects on coin collectibles

Overall Tone and Takeaways

• The episode’s style remains brisk, informative, and slightly nostalgic, with Joe Kernen and Becky Quick injecting brief personal asides into a rundown of the day’s most crucial pre-market news.
• The missing economic data introduces a rare sense of uncertainty for markets.
• The penny’s discontinuation is both a financial and emotional milestone, sparking reflection on changes in American currency.

For listeners hoping to catch up on fast-moving headlines and market-shaping stories, this episode offers a tight, relevant briefing with a hint of personality.