Squawk Pod – “5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 11/17/2025”

Host: CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This brisk episode delivers a curated rundown of the five major business and financial headlines shaping the market just before the opening bell. Andrew Ross Sorkin outlines significant moves by major companies and policymakers, providing investors and business watchers with quick, actionable insights for the day ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Berkshire Hathaway’s Stake in Alphabet (Google Parent Company)

• Details:
  • Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has disclosed a new equity position.
  • Their end-of-Q3 snapshot reveals ownership of nearly 18 million Alphabet shares.
  • The stake is valued around $5 billion.
• Significance:
  • Reflects Berkshire’s confidence in the tech sector and Alphabet’s long-term growth.
• Quote:
  • “Berkshire's end of Q3 equity snapshot revealing nearly 18 million shares. That's the position they have in the company worth roughly $5 billion.”
    — Andrew Sorkin [01:09]

2. Apple Succession Planning & Tim Cook’s Potential Departure

• Details:
  • The Financial Times reports that Apple is preparing for CEO Tim Cook’s exit as soon as next year.
  • The succession plan is “ramping up” but unrelated to current company performance.
  • Plan is based on information from sources close to Apple.
• Significance:
  • Marks a potentially monumental leadership transition at one of the world’s most valuable companies.
  • Will trigger speculation about Cook’s successor and Apple’s strategic direction.
• Quote:
  • “Apple is preparing for CEO Tim Cook to step down as early as next year and is ramping up succession planning efforts. The report… says Cook's potential departure [is] not related to the company's current performance.”
    — Andrew Sorkin [01:21]

3. U.S. Tariff Revenue and Stimulus Checks Proposal

• Details:
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen addresses President Trump’s plan to send $2,000 checks to Americans.
  • Funding would allegedly come from tariffs, but implementation would require new legislation.
• Significance:
  • Highlights the political and procedural challenges in deploying direct payments to Americans, especially ahead of an election cycle.
• Quote:
  • “Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen saying that President Trump's plans to send Americans $2,000 checks using proceeds raised from the tariffs would require legislation.”
    — Andrew Sorkin [01:35]

4. Netflix Announces 10-for-1 Stock Split

• Details:
  • Netflix implements a 10-for-1 stock split, taking effect today.
  • Company history: Previously split its stock in 2015 and 2004.
• Significance:
  • Intended to make shares more accessible to individual investors and boost market liquidity.
• Quote:
  • “Netflix's 10 for one stock split taking effect today. Netflix has split its stock twice before, and in 2015 and 2004.”
    — Andrew Sorkin [01:47]

5. Disney and Alphabet Restore ABC & ESPN Content to YouTube TV

• Details:
  • Alphabet (YouTube’s parent) and Disney end a two-week standoff, finalizing a deal.
  • ABC and ESPN content will be restored to YouTube TV subscribers.
• Significance:
  • Critical for YouTube TV users who rely on this content; demonstrates the evolving power dynamics in streaming and traditional broadcasting.
• Quote:
  • “YouTube parent Alphabet and Disney reaching a deal to restore content from ABC and ESPN to YouTube TV. The deal came after a two week standoff between the companies.”
    — Andrew Sorkin [01:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Apple’s Succession Planning:
  “Cook's potential departure [is] not related to the company's current performance.”
  — Andrew Sorkin [01:24]

• On Market Impact:
  Concise delivery of all five major stories, reflecting the fast-paced, no-nonsense tone typical of “Squawk Box.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:09] – Berkshire Hathaway’s major stake in Alphabet
• [01:21] – Apple ramps up CEO succession planning
• [01:35] – Treasury Secretary on $2,000 tariff-funded checks
• [01:47] – Netflix’s 10-for-1 stock split takes effect
• [01:56] – Disney-YouTube TV deal restores ABC & ESPN content

Summary

“Five Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 11/17/2025” arms listeners with impactful pre-market news: Berkshire’s tech investments, Apple’s potential leadership shuffle, the political process behind stimulus checks, Netflix’s bid for broader accessibility, and the resolution of a high-stakes content battle in streaming. Andrew Sorkin’s delivery is crisp and factual, letting listeners quickly grasp what matters for markets and the day ahead.