The Nvidia logo is displayed on a building at Nvidia headquarters on August 27, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty Images
This is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:
1. AI wars
2. Missed the bullseye
Target Corp. shopping baskets sit on the floor of a company store Christopher Dilts | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Target posted third-quarter revenue that was slightly below Wall Street's expectations this morning and cut the top end of its full-year profit outlook. Shares fell about 2% in premarket trading following the results. Incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke said the retailer is focused on making investments and decisions that "get Target back to growth as quickly as possible." But, as CNBC's Melissa Repko notes, Fiddelke declined to say exactly when he thought the company would see positive sales again. Lowe's similarly lowered its full-year profit outlook before the bell. However, the home improvement retailer reported stronger-than-anticipated earnings per share for the third quarter, sending the stock up more than 6% in premarket trading.
3. Epstein files
A protester holds a placard after the House voted 427-1 to approve the Epstein Files Transparency Act and the release of documents and files at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. Roberto Schmidt | Getty Images
Both chambers of Congress yesterday passed a bill that would release the Justice Department's files tied to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The measure now heads to the desk of President Donald Trump, who has said he would sign it into law. Meanwhile, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said this morning that he is resigning from OpenAI's board. Two days ago, Summers said that he would step back from public commitments following the release of his emails with Epstein.
4. WhatsApproved
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