GoKawiilThis is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Happy Friday. Another week, another ownership deal for a major league sports team. Two sources told CNBC that private equity firm Arctos agreed to buy 10% of the Atlanta Falcons. Stock futures are higher before the bell as traders look to rebound from Thursday's negative day. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:
1. Bond the builder
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaking with CNBC on Aug. 4th, 2026. CNBC
2. Lost in translation
People sit at a Starbucks coffee shop in a shopping area on April 24, 2025 in Beijing, China. Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
American brands have long loved China. Chinese consumers aren't necessarily loving them back. As CNBC's Laya Neelakandan writes, companies ranging from Nike to General Motors have seen their business in the region decline in recent years as they struggle to convince consumers that their products are worth the price premiums. American brands are also losing their footing thanks to geopolitical tensions and domestic competition in China. To be sure, some U.S.-based businesses are bucking the trend. That list includes Lululemon and Ralph Lauren , the latter of which said its China business grew 40% in the most recent quarter.
3. Of paramount importance
Rob Bonta, attorney general of California, speaks during a news conference in Oakland, California, US, on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The state attorneys general suing to block the Paramount Skydance -Warner Bros. Discovery deal don't see an easy road to resolution. In an exclusive interview with CNBC on Thursday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta told CNBC that a settlement would require "robust structural remedies." Bonta, who's leading the group of 12 states challenging the merger, also said Paramount appears focused on discussing issues that aren't central to their antitrust lawsuit. Paramount did not respond to CNBC's request for comment. "We do prefer to resolve cases in the boardroom instead of the courtroom," Bonta told CNBC's David Faber. "But for now we're bringing our case, and, you know, I hope they can focus on the actual allegations we make in our complaint."
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