Squawk on the Street

Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber led off with big news on the COVID vaccine front: Both the FDA and CDC recommended pausing use of Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine after six women developed rare blood clots. The news weighed on shares of JNJ and stocks that are part of the reopening trade. The anchors also reacted to the world's largest SPAC merger: Grab -- a Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant backed by Softbank -- has agreed to merge with Altimeter Growth in a deal valued at about $40-billion. Also in focus: Bitcoin hitting a new record high above $63,000 as Coinbase gets ready for its direct listing on Wednesday, and lots talk about the chip sector -- from what Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said at his company's GTC conference about new products and autonomous cars to anchor chat about the chip shortage's impact on automakers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, CNBC launched its newest daily podcast, TechCheck. Each day, CNBC’s Jon Fortt, Carl Quintanilla and Deirdre Bosa bring you the boldest ideas and most influential names in the tech industry. This bi-coastal program dives deep into stocks focused on new technologies and trends while highlighting the latest news out of iconic companies, FAANG heavyweights, social media darlings, streaming giants, red-hot disruptors and more. Available to listen daily by 12:30pm ET / 9:30AM PT. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber took an in-depth look at the deal of the day: Microsoft agreeing to acquire artificial intelligence and speech recognition company Nuance Communications in an all-cash transaction valued at $56 per share or $19.7-billion including debt. Jon Fortt led off an exclusive interview with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Nuance CEO Mark Benjamin about the deal. Carl, Jim and David also reacted to comments Fed Chair Jerome Powell made on "60 Minutes" about the economic recovery amid a ramp-up in vaccinations, the challenges new COVID variants bring, and the Archegos hedge fund scandal. They also explored what to expect from the White House chip shortage summit set to include the CEOs of Ford, General Motors, Intel, AT&T and Google parent Alphabet. Also in focus: Shares of Alibaba rising despite the company being slapped with a $2.8-billion fine by Chinese regulators as a result of an anti-monopoly investigation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On a day in which the Dow and S&P 500 each hit a fresh record high, Carl Quintanilla, David Faber and Mike Santoli led off by discussing market reaction to wholesale inflation numbers that came in well above forecasts: What's at stake for the value reopening trade? They looked at the correlation between the S&P 500 and the 10-year note yield as well as what's fueling the recent Nasdaq/tech sector run-up. On the reopening front, the anchors discussed Florida suing the CDC to allow cruise to resume sailings, a Wall Street upgrade for Carnival, and reacted to what the CEO of Wynn Resorts told Jim Cramer about Las Vegas needing "airlift" to get back to 2019 levels. Boeing also in the spotlight after telling some of its customers that they should ground some 737 Max jets because of an electrical issue. The Amazon union vote in focus as the ballot count continues. David's roundup of the week in SPACs included what the SEC is saying about scrutinizing such transactions. Also in focus: Industrials such as Honeywell boost the Dow on analyst upgrades, and shares of Credit Suisse fall on a downgrade in wake of the Archegos hedge fund scandal. Snap-On CEO Nick Pinchuk joined the program to discuss the reopening of the economy, shares of his company hitting record highs, and electric vehicles. He said he's "happy about infrastructure" but also spoke out against hiking corporate tax rates to pay for President Biden's $2-trillion plan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On another record-setting day for the S&P 500, Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber led off the show with a discussion about President Biden's $2-trillion infrastructure plan and raising corporate tax rates to pay for it. The president says he is willing to negotiate the 28% percent rate he favors. The anchors explored how the potential for a tax hikes could affect company guidance during earnings season -- as well as just how much corporations benefited from the Trump tax cuts. They also spoke about the reopening trade and COVID vaccinations, including the scrutiny AstraZeneca is facing . The chip shortage also in the spotlight: Production of Apple's MacBook and iPad reportedly delayed due to a supply crunch. The anchors also reacted to what the CEO of Applied Materials told Jim about what the chip equipment maker can do to alleviate the semiconductor shortage. Cramer made some eye-opening comments about Carnival and the cruise industry's battle with the CDC over resuming sailings. Also in focus: Tech shares rally, Palantir Chairman Peter Thiel calls Bitcoin a "Chinese financial weapon", and shares of cloud computing company Box slide after announcing a $500 million investment from funds run by private-equity firm KKR -- and that Aaron Levie will step down as chairman in May but remain CEO. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber led off the show with a closer look at JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon's annual letter to shareholders, in which he says an economic boom fueled by deficit spending and vaccinations could "easily run into 2023." They also discussed Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' statement in which he expresses support for a corporate tax hike and the White House's "focus on making bold investments in American infrastructure", though he stops short of supporting President Biden's plan for a rise in the corporate tax rate. Speaking of the president, the anchors reacted to him telling the press he has yet to meet with Fed Chair Powell since taking office -- a departure from the Trump Administration's approach to dealing with the Fed. In an exclusive interview, Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods joined the program to discuss his company's ESG strategy and sweeping plans to commercialize low-emission technologies. Also in focus: Why Cramer says he wishes he could tell people who have never traded or invested before "how stupid the market is." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One day after a rally which resulted in new record highs for the Dow and S&P 500, Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber discussed the reopening trade amid the jump in COVID vaccinations and stronger demand for air travel: What it all means for the recovery and the markets. The anchors also reacted to what the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line told Jim about urging the CDC to allow the company to "get back to cruising." The next chapter of the Archegos hedge fund scandal also in the spotlight: Credit Suisse taking a charge of $4.7 billion and shaking up its executive ranks in wake of the Archegos meltdown – plus Carl, Jim and David react to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon telling CNBC the he is pleased about the way his team handled the risk related to Archegos. On the big tech front, the anchors discussed Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty raising Apple's services forecast. Also in focus: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's warning to CEOs to "Stay out of politics" as several companies criticize Georgia's new voting law. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber discussed the major indices rallying in their first session following the blowout March jobs report, which was released when the markets were closed for Good Friday. Helping the Dow and S&P hit fresh record highs: The reopening trade -- shares of cruise operators, airlines, AMC Entertainment and others leading the way in wake of the ramp-up in COVID vaccinations. The anchors also reacted to news that Treasury Secretary Yellen is expected to call for a global minimum corporate tax. They also explored whether the tech unwind rotation is coming to an end. Tesla getting a boost after its Friday release of record deliveries for Q1. With certain electric vehicle stocks and SPACs getting hammered recently, Jim weighs in on how individual investors can avoid getting burned in this market. GameStop slumps after announcing plans to sell up to 3.5 million shares in an "at-the-market" offering: Is the stock the "ultimate crypto play?” David outlines the latest developments surrounding the Archegos margin call fallout. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the first trading day of the second quarter, Carl Quintanilla and Jim Cramer discussed the S&P 500 surpassing the 4,000 mark for the first time. The move comes one day after President Biden outlined his $2T infrastructure plan, which includes point-of-sale rebates when buying a new electric vehicle and funding for 500,000 EV charging stations. The anchors explored what such a development could mean for automakers and EV SPACs, and reacted to what President Biden said about hiking corporate taxes to pay for the plan -- plus Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's comments to Jim explaining why the package is about competing with China. Semiconductors also part of the infrastructure/China discussion as well, inculding Micron's better-than-expected quarterly results. On the COVID front: Pfizer and BioNTech out with new data showing 91% efficacy for its vaccine after six months, adding it is effective against the South African variant -- and Johnson & Johnson announcing a batch of its of its covid-19 vaccine produced at an Emergent Biosciences factory in Baltimore did not meet quality standards and will not be distributed. AMC Entertainment Chairman & CEO Adam Aron spoke exclusively with Jim and Carl, discussing the movie theater chain's reopening plans. Aron also announced that AMC is asking shareholders to approve a 500 million share offering. Also in focus – CEOs speak out: Highlights from Wednesday night’s CNBC special “Race and Opportunity In America.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla and Jim Cramer led off the show with news out of Pfizer: The drugmaker says its study shows COVID-19 vaccine was 100% effective in preventing Covid-19 in children ages 12 to 15. The anchors went on to discuss how the U.S. is leading the charge on vaccinations. They also highlighted reopening-related stories: Wells Fargo says as of September 6 it sees a more normal return to work, while on the commercial real estate front JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce and PriceWaterhouseCoopers are among the companies looking to unload major blocks of office space. Ahead of President Biden's remarks making the case for his $2T infrastructure plan, Carl and Jim discussed which stocks are most likely to benefit from passage of such a bill. Merck CEO Ken Frazier, former American Express CEO Ken Chenault and dozens of the nation's Black business leaders are calling on all of corporate America to publicly and directly oppose new laws that would restrict the rights of Black voters -- and use their clout, money and lobbyists to sway the debate with lawmakers. The anchors reacted to what Frazier and Chenault told CNBC about the initiative. In a statement, Delta CEO Ed Bastian criticized Georgia's new election law, calling it "unacceptable" and that it would make it harder for Blacks in the state to vote. Also in focus: Wrapping up the first quarter and what to expect from stocks in the second quarter, plus earnings movers: Lululemon and Chewy moving in opposite directions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.