Tech stocks rebound, Google's boomerang strategy, Xbox's slump and more in Morning Squawk

In a notable turnaround, technology stocks showed a significant rebound at the close of last week, easing concerns surrounding the artificial intelligence market. Investors are now left wondering if the holiday season will bring further positive momentum, often referred to as 'Santa coming to town' in Wall Street parlance. In a separate development, the Justice Department has released certain investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein following the deadline mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. However, the release did not encompass all files as required. The DOJ's website now features an 'Epstein Library' for public access, though initial reports indicate that the search functionality was not fully operational at launch, and some documents may have been removed. On the AI front, Google has been actively recruiting, with reports indicating that about 20% of the AI software engineers brought on board this year are former employees returning to the company, known as 'boomerangs.' This comes as Josh Woodward, a 16-year veteran at Google, has stepped into a leadership role overseeing Gemini, a key project in Alphabet's AI strategy. In other news, Alphabet's autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo, has temporarily halted operations in the San Francisco Bay Area due to recent power outages. This suspension adds to the challenges the company faces as it navigates the complexities of its service. Executives are increasingly being reminded of the potential pitfalls of social media, a realm where their younger employees have long been aware of the risks. While social media can enhance personal branding and visibility for companies, missteps can lead to significant backlash. One founder summed it up: "As long as your name is in their mouth, you're doing something right." As the holiday shopping season approaches, the wellness industry is poised to make a splash, with retailers allocating shelf space for supplements. Brands like Grüns and Neom Wellbeing are gearing up to attract shoppers with festive-themed products, indicating a shift in consumer priorities as they look toward the new year. Conversely, the outlook for Microsoft's Xbox gaming console remains grim, with concerns raised about its viability following layoffs, studio closures, and rising prices. As the holiday season approaches, many are left questioning the future of the Xbox in the gaming market.