CNBC | Morning Squawk
IN THE NEWS TODAY
U.S. stock futures were steady this morning, after a solid rally Wednesday. But Wall Street was still lower for the week, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq struck in correction territory.
U.S. crude were steady this morning, after adding 8 percent Wednesday. Prices received some support by a weaker dollar and talk of international oil producers potentially meeting to discuss output cuts. (Reuters)
The risk of acting too late on ultra low inflation is greater than that of acting too early as a wait-and-see stance could lead to a lasting loss of confidence, European Central Bank president Mario Draghi said today. (Reuters)
GoPro (GPRO) shares lost more than 10 percent in premarket trading, after the struggling video camera maker reported disappointing quarterly results, cut financial forecasts and some entry-level cameras, and replaced its CFO. (Reuters)
Apple (AAPL) must pay VirnetX (VHC) more than $625 million for using the patent licensing company's Internet security technology without permission in its FaceTime and iMessage features. (Reuters)
Sharp board members appeared to have decided to give Foxconn, a key iPhone assembler, preferred negotiating rights, choosing the Taiwan firm's $5.9 billion offer over a rescue plan from a Japanese state-backed fund. (Reuters)
Cisco Systems (CSCO) bought privately held Jasper Technologies for $1.4 billion, its biggest takeover since 2013. Jasper is an Internet of Things firm, with technology to connect various devices to the Web. (CNBC)
Credit Suisse (CS) posted its first full-year loss since 2008 , stemming from weakness in its investment banking business. The bank also said it's accelerating a cost-reduction program, including about 4,000 job cuts. (CNBC)
Honda (HMC) is expanding its recall of faulty Takata airbags by 2.2 million vehicles, because the driver inflators can explode and hurl shrapnel into the passenger compartment. (AP)
Martin Shkreli, the former CEO notorious for jacking up an HIV treatment 5,000 percent, heads to Washington today for a congressional committee hearing about skyrocketing drug prices. (USA Today)
Amid questions about his mental competency, 92-year-old Sumner Redstone resigned as executive chairman of CBS (CBS), succeeded by CEO Les Moonves. At Viacom (VIAB), the other half of Redstone's empire, a similar move could follow. (NY Times & Reuters)
Just days ahead of Tuesday's New Hampshire presidential primary, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, who finished in a near tie in the Iowa caucuses, face-off in a debate tonight. (Washington Post)
Rick Santorum has suspended his GOP presidential campaign and endorsed Marco Rubio, following a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses. Rand Paul also dropped out Wednesday. (CNBC)
BY THE NUMBERS
Layoffs surged in January to the highest levels since July as employers in the retail and energy sectors pulled out the pink slips, according to a private survey out Thursday.
In advance of the January jobs report tomorrow, the government releases weekly initial jobless claims at 8:30 a.m. ET. Fourth quarter productivity figures are also out at 8:30 a.m. ET. Then at 10 a.m. ET, it's factory orders for December.
Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren, Dallas Fed President Rob Kaplan, and Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester all have public appearances today. Rosengren and Mester are voting members on the Fed policymaking panel this year.
Earnings out this morning include Charter Communications (CHTR), Dunkin' Brands (DNKN), GrubHub (GRUB), and Ralph Lauren (RL). LinkedIn (LNKD) and News Corporation (NWSA) lead today's list of after-the-bell earnings reports.
STOCKS TO WATCH
Yum Brands (YUM), late Wednesday, beat estimates on earnings and missed slightly on revenue. The owner of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell reported a greater-than-expected 6 percent increase in same-store sales for its latest quarter.
Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) fell 16 cents short of estimates with quarterly profit of $1.32 per share, with revenue missing as well. The restaurant chain also gave lower than expected earnings guidance for 2016.
Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) reported earnings and revenue well above expectations. Demand for the video game maker's venerable Grand Theft Auto franchise remained strong.
Harley-Davidson (HOG) raised its quarterly dividend by nearly 13 percent to 35 cents per share. The motorcycle maker also approved a 20 million share stock buyback, worth about $800 million based Wednesday's close.
WATERCOOLER
Pop star Taylor Swift is making her first foray into the world of mobile gaming by partnering with Glu Mobile (GLUU), the company behind the popular "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood" game. (Reuters)
CONTRIBUTORS
Matthew J.
Belvedere
Senior Producer
@Matt_Belvedere
Peter
Schacknow
Senior Producer
@peterschack
Tom
DiChristopher
Web and TV producer
