Squawk Pod: The Fed holds interest rates steady & Dr. Fauci pleads the Fifth - 07/30/26 | Audio Only

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  July 30, 2026 at 17:45  |  49:32  |  CNBC
Speakers
Amos Hochstein — Senior Advisor to the President for Energy and Investment
Roger Ferguson — Former Vice Chair, Federal Reserve

Summary

The Fed leaves rates unchanged but three FOMC members dissent; former Fed Vice Chairman Roger Ferguson expects eventual rate hikes. Senator Rand Paul discusses holding Dr. Fauci in contempt after he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times. The U.S. conducts new strikes on Iran, and former Biden adviser Amos Hochstein warns that energy prices could spike sharply in the coming weeks due to escalating conflict and mounting supply disruptions.

  • Fed holds rates at 3.5-3.75% with three hawkish dissents; Ferguson says a rate hike will be needed eventually.
  • Dr. Fauci testifies and pleads the Fifth 111 times; Rand Paul plans to send a contempt referral to DOJ.
  • U.S. launches a fresh wave of broader air strikes on Iran in response to missile attacks.
  • Oil markets whipsaw on headlines; Hochstein sees prices becoming very challenging in four weeks.
  • Russia imposes a diesel export ban after Ukrainian strikes on refineries, tightening refined product supply.
  • U.S. equity markets fell sharply the prior day, with the Dow down over 1,100 points and the Nasdaq near correction territory.
Ideas
Amos Hochstein Senior Advisor to the President for Energy and Investment 42:45
Oil prices poised for near-term spike.
Oil prices are set to become very challenging in the coming weeks because the U.S. conflict with Iran shows no sign of ending, supply disruptions are mounting (Russia's diesel export ban, damaged refineries in Ukraine and Russia, U.S. refineries running near maximum capacity with low SPR), and the oil market is currently pricing spot conditions instead of adequately reflecting forward supply risk. Industry insiders see rocky waters ahead, while wartime futures are unreliable.
WTI MED
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This CNBC video, published July 30, 2026, features Amos Hochstein discussing WTI. 1 trade idea extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Amos Hochstein  · Tickers: WTI