President Biden is considering 3-4 candidates for Fed chair, calling Chris Waller and Michelle Bowman "fantastic." A decision is expected soon but might wait until after Jan 1st. Waller’s odds rose following the comments amid reports of strong support from Wall Street. 2m 36s

President Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, citing common sense and medical benefits for patients. CNBC reports that stocks have been rising for a week in anticipation of this official move. 1m 0s

President Trump signed an executive order to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, treating it like a medical drug. This allows for more research, investment, and tax breaks. Dr. Oz also announced a Medicare pilot program for qualifying seniors. 1m 2s

Rebecca Babin says oil prices are in a "war with itself" as fundamental oversupply outweighs geopolitical risks. Non-OPEC supply growth is outpacing demand, keeping prices low despite global conflicts. US shale efficiency remains high, with production cuts unlikely above $50. 5m 20s

Rebecca Patterson of Vanguard suggests a strong economy might limit Fed rate cuts in 2025 despite moderating inflation. She highlights small business hiring and labor market stability as vital indicators for market growth, cautioning against unreliable inflation data. 4m 22s

Robinhood’s Steve Quirk discusses expansion into prediction markets for sports, elections, and economic events. By matching users directly instead of acting as a "book," Robinhood aims for lower margins and provides a way for investors to hedge their portfolios. 3m 58s

Ryan Detrick of Carson Group sees a market "broadening out" beyond tech, with strength in banks, transports, and international stocks. He argues the current bull market is still young and expects continued growth next year, provided a recession is avoided. 3m 49s

Sam Altman tells Alex Kantrowitz that OpenAI is in "code red" to compete with Google. Instead of just adding AI to old apps, Altman is building AI-native software. He aims to win via user loyalty and personalization, treating ChatGPT adoption like a sticky brand of toothpaste. 3m 14s

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) told CNBC that a simple extension of expanded ACA subsidies won’t pass the Senate. He calls the subsidies temporary COVID-era measures and argues for structural reforms to address rising marketplace costs instead of more taxpayer spending. 4m 52s

Silvant Capital CIO Michael Sansoterra says Micron's demand proves the AI trade is alive. He favors mega-caps like NVIDIA and Microsoft that fund growth with free cash flow rather than debt, noting the market prefers cash-rich winners over those relying on borrowing. 3m 21s

Stacy Rasgon reports that massive AI demand has memory supply booked through 2026, driving prices up. While investors worry about sustainability, tech giants continue to spend heavily from cash flow. However, a stumble by OpenAI could cause the entire AI trade to crumble. 3m 33s

Stocks rose on cooler inflation data, but bond markets and economists are skeptical, calling the report "noisy" and "flawed" due to data gathering issues. While housing costs slowed, Fed rate cut expectations remain unchanged as markets await more reliable data in December. 3m 33s

Stocks rose on cooler inflation data, but economists are skeptical due to methodological flaws in the CPI report. Experts cite limited data collection and housing cost distortions, suggesting the decline may be overstated. The bond market remains cautious about Fed rate cuts. 3m 10s

Susquehanna’s Mehdi Hosseini raised Micron's price target to $345 after strong EPS guidance. He believes if the company sustains high margins despite historical trends, the stock could reach $500. Key factors include capacity management and negotiations with Nvidia and AMD. 2m 37s

The US House passed a bipartisan bill to accelerate construction of data centers and transmission lines to support AI energy needs. Supported by Meta, Google, and Micron, the permitting reform now heads to the Senate, where it remains a key legislative priority. 1m 1s

TikTok CEO Shou Chew confirmed a U.S. joint venture closing Jan 22, 2026. ByteDance will retain 19.9% ownership, while investors like Oracle and Silver Lake take major stakes. The entity will oversee U.S. data, algorithms, and content moderation to satisfy regulatory demands. 2m 12s

Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers calls the recent cannabis policy reform a "monumental" shift. The move eases tax burdens and expands medical research, marking a key step toward safer banking and potential Nasdaq/NYSE listings. Rivers emphasizes the need for a regulated marketplace. 3m 30s

Trump Media & Technology Group is merging with fusion power company TAE Technologies in a $6 billion deal. This unusual all-stock merger aims to create one of the first publicly traded fusion companies, combining Truth Social with revolutionary energy technology. 1m 15s

Trump Media (DJT) shares surged 37% on news of a $6B merger with nuclear fusion firm TAE Technologies. Led by co-CEOs Devin Nunes and Michl Binderbauer, the new entity aims to combine Truth Social with experimental fusion energy to power the future of AI. 3m 21s

Trump Media is merging with fusion firm TAE Technologies, boosting nuclear stocks amid a sector-wide renaissance. Meanwhile, BP has named Meg O’Neill as its first female CEO as the energy giant pivots back toward traditional resources to right the ship. 3m 2s

Vanguard’s Joe Davis projects a mixed 2026 economy. While tariffs keep inflation above 2%, AI investment could trigger a 1990s-style productivity boom. He argues the Fed should focus on this potential for high, non-inflationary growth even if interest rates remain steady. 4m 52s

Amazon and OpenAI are eyeing a "chips for equity" deal. OpenAI aims to slash costs by using Amazon’s Trainium chips, which are 40% cheaper than Nvidia's. The move gives Amazon a flagship customer to boost its AI reputation while OpenAI manages its massive compute budget. 2m 53s

Amazon considers a $10B+ OpenAI investment. Waymo aims to raise $15B at a $110B valuation. Spirit and Frontier are in fresh merger talks. The Trump admin may curb defense buybacks to speed production. Lennar missed Q4 profit targets as housing affordability weighs. 1m 17s

At the Yale CEO Summit, LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault discussed the future of luxury, emphasizing a blend of AI for supply chain efficiency and traditional craftsmanship for quality. He remains optimistic, viewing his brands as timeless symbols of history and human skill. 5m 36s

Axios’ Dan Primack predicts an IPO boom in 2025. Following Medline’s success, private equity firms are eyeing Q1 deals. Wealthfront’s debut also shows that older startups can go public without massive revenue or AI hype, signaling a broader shift in market appetite. 2m 1s

CFR President Michael Froman analyzes Trump's foreign policy shifts, including "NATO-like" guarantees for Ukraine, a US-Russia economic reset, and pressure on Venezuela. He notes a strategic move toward the Western Hemisphere and a focus on economic deals over rivalry. 4m 58s

CNBC Halftime Report final trades: Pete Najarian picks AbbVie, Terrance Horan likes Microsoft after a 12% dip, Stephen Weiss sees Netflix bottoming out, and Joe Terranova targets 150 for Twilio. 19s

CNBC's Michael Santoli notes that while AI stocks face pressure, valuations are becoming more attractive. With Nvidia trading at 23x earnings—the same as the S&P—and indices back to early October levels, some see a buying opportunity. The NASDAQ finished down 1.75%. 1m 8s

CNBC's panel analyzes volatility in the AI trade as Oracle’s financing issues spark market concern. Experts suggest shifting focus from high multiples to fundamentals and free cash flow, highlighting companies like Broadcom as selective opportunities amid the turbulence. 4m 27s

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants CEO reports same-store sales up 2% after a slow start to 2025. With holiday gift card sales up 7% and easing interest rates, the company is optimistic for 2026 growth while keeping price hikes low to protect the consumer. 4m 54s

Coursera CEO Greg Hart discusses merging with Udemy to scale global upskilling. The combined company will serve 270M+ learners, targeting $115M in cost synergies and a 20% EBITDA margin. Both brands will unite under Coursera to accelerate AI-led innovation for enterprises. 5m 18s

DCLA’s Sarat Sethi favors Freeport-McMoRan as copper demand surges for data centers and transport. With no new mines in a decade and a weakening dollar, he views commodities as a vital inflation hedge while gold and silver hit record highs. 1m 50s

Demand for AI infrastructure is high, but financing shifts raise red flags. Hyperscalers are leasing rather than owning data centers, shifting risk to private equity and pension funds. Local pushback over energy and water use also threatens future development. 3m 13s

Experts discuss Fed independence and the gold surge. Matthew McLennan links gold’s rise to global fiscal deficits, while Peter Boockvar notes that freezing Russian assets makes physical gold a key hedge for central banks. Both believe the bull market remains intact. 3m 25s

Fast Money analysts debate the AI trade, questioning the "sanctity of CAPEX." Guy Adami flags NVIDIA's key price levels, while Tim Seymour and Dan Nathan discuss Oracle’s debt-fueled growth and rising financial risks associated with aggressive AI infrastructure spending. 4m 41s

Fed Governor Chris Waller describes the labor market as "very soft" and nearing zero job growth. Unconcerned about inflation, he advocates for continued, moderate rate cuts to bolster employment. Waller expects 2026 to improve as AI and previous cuts take effect. 4m 44s

Fed Governor Christopher Waller emphasizes central bank independence and accountability. Ahead of a meeting with the President, he notes that policy views should follow established channels, though coordination remains vital during national crises. 2m 52s

Former Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan cautions against more rate cuts, expecting economic firming in 2026 from tax relief and AI. He argues the Fed has bought enough "insurance" against labor weakness and needs to see inflation hit its target before easing further. 4m 17s

Four House Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on extending ACA tax credits for three years, bypassing Speaker Mike Johnson. The move aims to prevent doubled premiums for 22M Americans as GOP centrists face pressure over healthcare costs ahead of the midterms. 2m 40s

Google launched the Gemini 3 Flash AI model, prioritizing speed and cost-efficiency. Meanwhile, Alphabet’s Waymo is reportedly raising over $15B at a $110B valuation, widening its autonomous driving lead and aiming for significant financial contributions by 2027. 3m 15s

Helima Croft analyzes U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil, targeting 600k barrels. The focus is on Trump’s enforcement and China’s role as a buyer. As Maduro weighs exile to avoid prosecution, the potential for military action and regime stability remains highly uncertain. 3m 1s

House Speaker Mike Johnson defends letting enhanced COVID-era health subsidies expire, arguing they mask rising costs. He advocates for the "Lower Premiums for All Americans Act," focusing on structural reforms to lower healthcare costs for all, not just a small percentage. 6m 18s

Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot details a 15-year AI compute deal with Fluidstack, Anthropic, and Google. Leveraging its energy infrastructure, the firm secured financing from JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs to expand data center operations for both AI and Bitcoin mining. 3m 25s

Interactive Brokers’ Steve Sosnick sets a 6,500 S&P target for 2026, citing caution over presidential cycles and new Fed chair tests. He notes AI trade fatigue and "Bluto rallies"—pre-market jumps that lack follow-through as investors reassess market growth. 3m 18s

Japanese star Tatsuya Imai is the MLB offseason's top prize, worth up to $200M. In a surprise twist, he wants to compete against the Dodgers rather than join them, with the Yankees as favorites. His move fuels the heated debate over MLB's lack of a salary cap. 4m 14s

Jim Cramer argues Apple is an AI beneficiary because it didn't overspend on model development. With AI models becoming commodities, Apple’s 1.5B users make it the ultimate gatekeeper. Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $335, eyeing a smarter Siri by 2026. 2m 10s

Jim Cramer questions David Ellison’s Paramount bid and Oracle’s balance sheet, calling the deals "illusory." The panel discusses the high leverage risks of a potential Paramount-Warner Bros merger and the debt challenges facing the media industry. 2m 20s

Matt Stucky urges diversification as AI impacts sectors beyond tech. Doug Peta warns of a "K-shaped" economy, noting the luxury consumer can't offset middle-class struggles. He fears a softening labor market, led by low-paying jobs, could tip the economy into contraction. 5m 26s

Medline CEO Jim Boyle discussed the company's IPO on CNBC, calling Medline the "Costco of healthcare." After 58 years as a private firm, it plans to use $5B in proceeds to reduce debt. Boyle emphasized their value-driven model and 99% retention rate in a complex market. 4m 31s

Medline, the year’s largest IPO, surged over 20% in its debut, opening at $35/share. The medical supplier raised $6B+ to pay down debt, signaling a potential revival for the IPO market and private equity exits heading into 2026. 1m 48s