Squawk Pod: 5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell (11/14/2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode of Squawk Pod, Andrew Ross Sorkin, along with Joe Kernen and Becky Quick, delivers a curated roundup of the morning's top business headlines and market-moving stories. The team provides quick, insightful takes on the most important developments in corporate, government, and tech news, all before the opening bell. Major topics of the day include a significant government bonus payout, labor developments at Boeing, massive layoffs at Verizon, SoftBank’s dramatic market moves, and Blue Origin’s historic rocket launch.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. $10,000 Bonus for TSA Agents Post-Government Shutdown

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced $10,000 bonus checks for TSA officers who worked without pay during the recent six-week government shutdown.
• The payments are framed as a reward for "exemplary service under strain."

2. Boeing Defense Workers End Strike With New Contract

• Boeing defense workers ratified a new contract after a three-month strike.
• The agreement features a 24% wage increase over five years.
• The strike has previously delayed fighter jet and defense program production; workers will return as soon as Sunday.

3. Massive Layoffs at Verizon

• Verizon is set to cut about 15,000 jobs in the upcoming week.
• The move comes amid "fierce competition for wireless service and home Internet customers."

4. SoftBank Sells Entire Nvidia Stake

• SoftBank shares continued a three-day slide after the company sold its entire Nvidia stake for $5.8 billion.
• The sell-off led to the stock dropping more than 25% since November 1st.

5. Blue Origin’s Historic Orbital Rocket Launch

• Blue Origin achieved a major milestone: the first orbital launch and booster recovery at sea of its New Glenn rocket.
• The mission successfully deployed two NASA satellites destined for Mars to study its atmosphere.
• This accomplishment positions Blue Origin as a serious contender in the "new space race."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Blue Origin’s milestone:

  “You could just see, this is one of those things where people spend years to work on to get something like this to happen… It'll almost make you tear up to watch, honestly.”
  — Andrew Ross Sorkin [02:43]

• On Amazon delivering to Mars (lighthearted banter):

  “You ever need to send packages up to Mars, but Amazon's ready, I guess, right? Quick delivery to Matt Damon so he…”
  — Joe Kernen [03:02]

  “…Won't have to eat prime…”
  — Andrew Ross Sorkin [03:10]
  “…Potatoes grown in—”
  — Becky Quick [03:13]
  “Grown in the zone. Feces.”
  — Andrew Ross Sorkin [03:14]
  (A reference to the movie "The Martian")

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:02] – Andrew Ross Sorkin kicks off the “5 things to know” rundown
• [01:05] – TSA agents awarded $10,000 bonuses
• [01:17] – Boeing defense workers ratify new contract, end strike
• [01:28] – Verizon jobs cut announcement
• [01:37] – SoftBank sells off Nvidia holding
• [01:43] – Blue Origin’s orbital launch milestone
• [02:43] – Emotional moment reflecting on Blue Origin’s achievement
• [03:02-03:16] – Banter about Amazon delivering to Mars

Episode Tone and Style

The episode maintains Squawk Box’s signature blend of fast-paced financial news, crisp analysis, and lighthearted exchanges. The team jumps seamlessly between hard news and in-studio banter, providing helpful context while keeping the energy engaging and conversational.

Summary

This episode provides a concise yet thorough update on the stories that will shape the market day, from rewarding frontline government workers to labor wins in defense, major telecom layoffs, a headline-making stock move, and a genuinely historic moment for private spaceflight. The hosts’ mix of gravity and humor, especially around Blue Origin’s Mars launch, keeps the coverage both informative and entertaining for listeners who want to be market-ready before the opening bell.