GoKawiilThis is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Happy Thursday. If you live in the Sun Belt, you could soon be on the road next to a driverless big rig. Distribution giant McLane is planning to deploy unsupervised, self-driving trucks on routes in the region by the end of the year. Stock futures are slightly higher this morning after another positive day on Wall Street. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:
1. Advanced math
Lisa Su, CEO of AMD speaks with CNBC on May 6, 2026. CNBC
2. McDonald's delivers
A "Welcome" sign outside a McDonald's restaurant in LaBelle, Florida, US, on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. McDonald's Corp. is scheduled to release earnings figures on February 11. Photographer: Zak Bennett/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Fast-food giant McDonald's beat top- and bottom-line expectations for the first-quarter this morning, reporting same-store sales growth of 3.8% in the period. Shares are up more than 3% before the bell. In a statement, CEO Chris Kempczinski said the results prove that the company is able to "drive results even in a challenging environment." Other restaurant companies have said that their sales slowed in March as consumers felt pressure from rising gas prices. As CNBC's Amelia Lucas notes, McDonald's has leaned into value meals to keep diners coming back. It's also trying to win over customers with marketing campaigns, featuring tie-in meals with brands like "KPop Demon Hunters" and "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie."
3. Fuel to the fire
Planes of United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines are seen at LaGuardia Airport in New York, the United States, on April 23, 2026. Zhang Fengguo | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images
New government data shows U.S. airlines spent 56% more on jet fuel in March as the Iran war crippled supply and sent prices soaring. In total, domestic airlines shelled out more than $5 billion on fuel in the month. In Asia and Europe, jet fuel shortages could disrupt the upcoming summer travel season. Speaking to CNBC's "Squawk Box" yesterday, Matt Smith, Kpler's director of commodity research, likened the fuel deficit to "a slow motion car crash." Yet while energy prices spike, quarterly reports from Disney and Uber yesterday both painted the picture of a resilient consumer still willing to spend on vacations and rides. Disney reported a 7% increase in revenue from its parks and cruises division, while Uber posted revenue growth in both its delivery and ride-hailing units.
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