Squawk Pod: 5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell – December 8, 2025

Podcast: Squawk Pod
Host: Becky Quick (CNBC)
Episode: 5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 12/8/2025
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This concise "Opening Bell" briefing from Squawk Pod delivers the essential financial news and biggest market-moving headlines before trading begins. Co-host Becky Quick summarizes major mergers, S&P 500 index changes, regulatory decisions, and cultural moments poised to impact investors and market watchers at the start of a busy Monday.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. IBM in Talks to Acquire Confluent ($11 Billion Deal)

• Details: IBM is reportedly negotiating to acquire data infrastructure company Confluent for $11 billion.
• Significance: The acquisition highlights IBM’s continued pivot toward cloud and data-driven services, reinforcing tech sector deal-making momentum as 2025 comes to a close.
• Source: “That's according to a Wall Street Journal report.” [00:58]

2. Changes to the S&P 500 Index

• Additions: CRH, Carvana, and Comfort Systems USA will join the S&P 500 before markets open on December 22nd.
• Removals: LKQ, Solstice Advanced Materials, and Mohawk Industries will be removed from the index.
• Market Impact:
  • Stocks being added are trading higher in pre-market activity.
  • Notable movement: "The biggest gainer is Carvana, which is up by 9%." (Becky Quick, [01:16])
• Importance: Being added to the S&P 500 often drives buying from index funds and signals validation for public companies.

3. Trump Administration Forgives Southwest Airlines Fine

• News: The Trump administration will forgive the remaining $11 million civil fine imposed on Southwest Airlines for its 2022 holiday disruption.
• Background: The fine was related to nearly 17,000 flight cancellations during the 2022 holiday season meltdown.
• Quote: "The Trump administration saying that it will forgive the remaining $11 million of a civil fine against Southwest Airlines stemming from its 2022 holiday meltdown." (Becky Quick, [01:26])
• Significance: Regulatory relief will likely be welcomed by the airline after years of operational and reputational recovery.

4. New Federal Aid to Farmers

• Announcement: The Trump administration plans to announce a new aid package for farmers totaling $12 billion.
• Source: “That’s according to a Bloomberg report.” (Becky Quick, [01:44])
• Potential Implications: The package is expected to provide critical assistance amid ongoing agricultural and trade policy challenges.

5. Box Office: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Smashes Records

• Surprise Hit: The horror sequel “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” beats expectations with $63 million in ticket sales for the post-Thanksgiving weekend.
• Record: The film takes the crown for the biggest post-Thanksgiving weekend opening ever.
• Cultural Note: This underlines the staying power of video game-based franchises in mainstream cinema.

Memorable Quotes

• "The biggest gainer is Carvana, which is up by 9%."
  — Becky Quick, [01:16]

• "The Trump administration saying that it will forgive the remaining $11 million of a civil fine against Southwest Airlines stemming from its 2022 holiday meltdown."
  — Becky Quick, [01:26]

• "The Trump administration planning to unveil a long awaited aid package for farmers, including $12 billion in assistance. That's according to a Bloomberg report."
  — Becky Quick, [01:44]

• "Horror sequel Five Nights at Freddy's 2, surpassing expectations and winning the domestic weekend box office with $63 million in ticket sales...the biggest opening ever for the weekend after Thanksgiving."
  — Becky Quick, [01:54]

Important Timestamps

• [00:58] Episode begins: Becky Quick outlines the five things to know.
• [00:59–01:08] IBM-Confluent acquisition news.
• [01:09–01:18] S&P 500 index additions and deletions, Carvana rally.
• [01:19–01:28] Southwest Airlines fine forgiveness by Trump administration.
• [01:29–01:45] New $12 billion federal aid package for farmers.
• [01:46–01:55] “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” box office results.

Tone & Delivery

Throughout the episode, Becky Quick maintains an efficient, news-driven tone: professional, direct, and focused on providing actionable updates for investors and finance professionals.

Summary

Squawk Pod’s “5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell” offers highly curated pre-market intelligence. Standout stories include a rumored $11B IBM fintech acquisition, major index reshuffling, regulatory relief for Southwest, a substantive farmers' aid package, and a Hollywood surprise box office smash, arming listeners with key context before the trading floor heats up.