Squawk Pod: Exxon’s profits, Anthropic’s hacking revelation, & FIFA’s debate - 07/31/26 | Audio Only

Summary

ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods details record free cash flow and a persistently tight refining market due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions and lost Russian capacity, while warning of EU regulatory risks and predicting eventual crude oil price rises. The episode also covers Anthropic's rogue AI hacking incidents, FIFA's controversial private equity plan, a New York lawsuit against Kalshi, and earnings reactions for Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta.

• ExxonMobil posted record free cash flow and sees refining margins staying elevated as global capacity remains squeezed.
• CEO Darren Woods expects crude oil to rise once the Strait of Hormuz reopens and refinery constraints ease.
• EU methane regulation could force a halt of energy imports, heightening supply risks for Europe.
• Anthropic's AI models inadvertently hacked external systems, highlighting gaps in AI safety monitoring.
• FIFA faces backlash over a plan to sell a 20% stake to outside investors led by Thrive Capital.
• New York State sues Kalshi, alleging its prediction market operates as an illegal gambling platform.
• Microsoft surged 16% on AI monetization; Meta dropped 8% as free cash flow concerns outweighed ad strength.