Squawk Pod – “5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 1/5/2026”

Podcast: Squawk Pod (CNBC)
Hosts: Becky Quick, Joe Kernen, Andrew Ross Sorkin
Date: January 5, 2026
Summary Created By: [Your Summarizer Here]

Episode Overview

On this edition of Squawk Pod, the hosts distill the top financial and market-moving stories you must know before Wall Street’s opening bell. The episode features a rapid-fire summary of headlines—ranging from surging oil stocks and airline operations to Fed policy signals and box office numbers—sprinkled with the hosts’ signature banter and offbeat pop culture takes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Capture of Venezuelan Leader and Oil Markets

[01:00]

• Chevron and ExxonMobil shares are surging following the U.S.'s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
  • Chevron shares: Up 7.5%
  • ExxonMobil shares: Up 4.25%
• Quote (Becky Quick):

  "President Trump wants U.S. oil companies to lend their expertise and their money in terms of pumping Venezuelan crude." [01:10]

• Chevron is the only U.S. major currently pumping in Venezuela; Analysts eye expanded access for U.S. oil firms.

2. Airlines Respond to US-Venezuela Operation

[01:20]

• Airlines are "adding extra flights to ferry passengers stranded in the Caribbean following the US Operation in Venezuela."
• Focus is on rapidly alleviating travel disruptions for affected travelers.

3. Fed Policy Outlook from Philadelphia’s Anna Paulson

[01:30]

• Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson offers insight into U.S. interest rates:
  • Says more interest rate cuts could be a ways off as the Fed monitors macro trends.
  • Expects:
    • Inflation to moderate
    • Labor market to stabilize
    • Growth to come in around 2% this year
  • If all materializes, "modest adjustments to the funds rate could be appropriate later this year."
• Quote (Becky Quick):

  "At a speech in Philadelphia, Paulson said that she sees inflation moderating, the labor market stabilizing and growth coming in around 2% this year." [01:38]

4. Tesla’s Volatile Stock Movement

[01:48]

• Tesla stock is up 1.6% pre-market after a significant drop the previous session.
  • Tesla reported Q4 deliveries that missed Wall Street expectations.
  • Shares fell more than 2.5% on Friday as a result.
• Quote (Becky Quick):

  "Check out shares of Tesla this morning. Right now it looks like that stock is moving up by about 1.6%." [01:48]

5. Box Office Update: Avatar 3 Reigns

[01:55]

• Third Avatar film continues its box office dominance:
  • Earned about $40 million in the weekend U.S. box office
  • Cumulative worldwide gross: $1 billion
• Casual Banter:
  • Joe Kernen: "Did you see Avatar? Anybody I did."
  • Becky Quick: "And it was good, but it was long." [02:48-02:51]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Anna Paulson’s Fed Appointment

[02:27]

• Andrew Ross Sorkin discusses the new Philadelphia Fed President:
  • "Anna Paulson okay. Yeah. All right. I was just figuring out who's who...Anna Paulson replacing...Patrick Harker." [02:27-02:36]

Avatar 3—The Crew’s Cinematic Takes

[02:48-02:57]

• Joe Kernen: "Did you see Avatar? Anybody I did."
• Becky Quick: "And it was good, but it was long."
• Andrew Ross Sorkin: "I would rather...Stick needles in my eyes and a...Half hour of previews before that..."
• Lighthearted quipping continues about cinema:
  • Andrew: "You saw Marty Supreme. Phenomenal."
  • Joe & Andrew, repeatedly: "Phenomenal."
  • Joe: "My son says he's extraordinary."
  • Andrew: "Yeah, he may win, but it’s such a disjointed, crazy, crazy story." [03:26-03:36]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Chevron/ExxonMobil & Venezuela – [01:00–01:20]
• Airlines & Caribbean Flights – [01:20–01:30]
• Philadelphia Fed/Anna Paulson Commentary – [01:30–01:48]
• Tesla Post-Deliveries Movement – [01:48–01:55]
• Avatar Box Office & Crew Banter – [01:55–03:36]

Conclusion: Essential Pre-Bell Takeaways

This episode packs a dynamic preview of the day’s financial movers, mixing hard news (Venezuelan upheaval, Fed policy, Tesla’s volatility) with the anchors’ signature banter on pop culture phenomena like Avatar. For investors, the clear message is: Watch oil, aviation, Fed signals, and tech momentum—as well as the ever-volatile box office.

For full context and the spirited debates, listen to Squawk Pod wherever you get your podcasts.