GoKawiilThis is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Happy Thursday. We're releasing our exclusive America's Top States for Business study this morning. Fun fact: It's the 20th year of the study. S&P 500 futures are higher this morning after another losing day for the index. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:
1. More strikes
Donald Trump, President of United States, speaks at the press conference during the 2026 NATO Ankara Summit in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 8th, 2026. Beata Zawrzel | Nurphoto | Getty Images
2. Broad horizons
CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman walks through the Hart Senate Office Building, following meetings on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 3, 2026. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters
OpenAI said it will publicly release the GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra and Luna models today. As CNBC's Ashley Capoot writes, the announcement comes two weeks after the startup limited the rollout at the U.S. government's request. The company previously allowed only a select group or organizations whose participation was known to the government to access to the ChatGPT-5.6 series models. Don't miss OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" at 10 a.m. ET. Watch live on CNBC or CNBC+.
3. Red tab
This photograph shows the logo of Levi Strauss & Co on a trouser in a Levi's store in Paris on March 2, 2026. Joel Saget | Afp | Getty Images
Shares of Levi Strauss are more than 4% lower before the bell despite better-than-expected results for the company's second quarter yesterday. The denim maker also hiked its guidance and dividend. CEO Michelle Gass told CNBC that Levi's demand remains "healthy" and that key consumer segments are showing "strength." About two-thirds of the quarter's sales growth was attributable to units rather than just higher prices, she said. Elsewhere on the earnings front: PepsiCo reported mixed quarterly results this morning as penny pitching continues to weigh on its North American business. The company said international demand helped to offset some of its struggles. Don't miss CEO Ramon Laguarta on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" at 9:30 a.m. ET.
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