Warren Buffett’s New Job & A Nonalcoholic Cheers to 2026 1/2/26

Squawk Pod

CNBC

Business News, News, Investing, Business

4.2 • 543 Ratings

🗓️ 2 January 2026

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

After 2025 ended on a high note for the major averages, Mike Santoli flags the market indicators he’ll be watching in January 2026. The first day of the new year also brings a new mayor for New York City and a new boss for Berkshire Hathaway. After 60 years, Warren Buffett has officially stepped down as CEO, handing the reins to successor Greg Abel. The national wealth tax debate is playing out in California, where billionaires are threatening to leave the state over proposed legislation. Former U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) discuss the suggested policy and its implications. Plus, healthy resolution-makers have more nonalcoholic drink choices than ever. CEO and co-founder of Athletic Brewing Bill Shufelt discusses his brand’s 12 styles of NA beers, mocktails, and increased market share. Heidi Heitkamp & Pat Toomey - 24:32 Bill Shufelt - 41:04 In this episode: Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Robert Frank, @robtfrank Michael Santoli, @michaelsantoli Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Transcript

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0:00.0	bring in show music please hi i'm cnbc producer katie kramer today on the squawk pod the wealth tax that won't quit
0:11.7	how anti-billionaire sentiment and policy is impacting our politics former senators Heidi hyde camp
0:17.6	this is not a new idea this is called a personal property tax.
0:21.6	And Pat Toomey.
0:22.6	The exodus will be profound, and these are the folks that pay the lion's share of the
0:27.6	revenue to California.
0:28.6	This is a disaster in the making if they proceed with this.
0:31.6	Dry January is here.
0:34.6	We check in with the CEO of non-alcoholic beer company Athletic Brewing.
0:39.3	Over 53% of Americans perceive drinking one to two drinks a day is unhealthy, which is up, I think,
0:45.5	14 points in two years. I think it's a status thing to actually show this is non-alcoholic.
0:50.5	Rather than pour it in a glass, you're maybe showing off. I'm drinking, but I'm not.
0:54.8	Plus, New Year, new boss. the first day for a new CEO at Berkshire Hathaway, and New York swears in
1:01.3	Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This will be one of the most fascinating political stories to watch this year.
1:08.6	It's Friday, January 2nd, 2026. A new year of Squawk Pod begins right now.
1:15.5	Stand Becky by in three, two, one. Cure, please. Good morning, everybody. Welcome to Squackbox
1:22.9	right here on CNBC. We are live from the NASDAQ market site in Times Square. I'm Becky Quick,
1:27.9	along with Mike Santoli and Robert Frank. Joe and Andrew are off today. Markets are not,
1:33.2	though. If you check out what's happening with the U.S. equity futures, we are looking at some
1:36.4	pretty decent signs, gains already on January 2nd. It looks like the Dow futures right now
1:41.2	are indicated up by just over 200 points. S&P futures indicated up by
1:45.0	about 44. The NASDAQ indicated up by close to 290 points. Of course, this comes after four
	...

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