SQUAWK BOX, FRIDAY 17TH MARCH, 2023

U.S. banks band together, propping up First Republic with a $30 billion rescue deal. Meanwhile, UBS and Credit Suisse reportedly oppose a government-orchestrated tie-up, as the Swiss lender insists its capital position hasn't changed. Wall Street rallies, with banking stocks posting their best day of the year - putting the S&P500 on track for its best weekly performance since January. Investor attention now turns to the Fed and its response to the banking sector turmoil, after the ECB hikes rates by 50 basis points. And protests erupt across France, as Emmanuel Macron exercises his presidential powers to push through his controversial pension reform plan - potentially opening himself up to an immediate vote of no confidence.