On Watch by MarketWatch

Rob Schroeder, MarketWatch's Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief, offers a deep dive into the Trump administration's latest economic policies. He discusses the avalanche of executive orders that have emerged, particularly focusing on tariffs, energy production, and labor market impacts. The conversation shifts to navigating tax cuts amidst a contentious political landscape and the tech sector's role in shaping reforms. Schroeder also anticipates the market landscape for 2025, addressing investor uncertainties and trends in the energy sector.

Marc Benioff, Co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, discusses the groundbreaking introduction of AI agents and their potential to redefine workplace dynamics. He explores how these advancements could lead to a shift towards digital labor, opening significant market opportunities. The conversation also delves into the evolving tech landscape post-pandemic, highlighting a shift in investor focus from growth to value stocks. Benioff shares insights on cultural dynamics within the industry and the implications of AI on corporate governance and political engagement.

David Sabo, the U.S. Head of Innovation Banking at HSBC, shares valuable insights into the explosive growth of AI investment, especially in the startup arena, where it constituted 42% of all funding in 2024. He discusses the challenges that unicorns face in the current market and compares the modern landscape to the dot-com boom. Sabo also covers the potential for a surge in mergers and acquisitions and the importance of sustainable valuation as tech giants like Google and Microsoft reshape the competition in AI.

Quentin Fottrell, MarketWatch’s “Moneyist” columnist, joins us to talk about how to prepare financially for 2025. Plus, MarketWatch reporters share their tips for maximizing your money this year.  A previous version of this episode incorrectly identified the title of the Affordable Care Act.

It's our last episode of the year, and we're looking back at some of the housing, economy, and market calls that didn't quite pan out. Marketwatch News Editor Joy Wiltermuth sits down with Jeremy to talk about what happened, and what we can learn for next year. Plus, Lopez Research founder Maribel Lopez joins us to revisit a bad AI call, and what we can expect next year.

Ed Niedermeyer, Autonocast host and author of 'Ludacris,' dives into the shifting landscape of autonomous driving, focusing on the struggle for profitability amidst recent setbacks like GM’s Cruise shutdown. He discusses the evolution from robo-taxis to advanced driver assistance systems. Comparisons between Tesla's camera strategy and Waymo's sensor technology reveal the competitive hurdles they face. Niedermeyer also highlights the potential of autonomous driving as a significant application of AI, exploring its implications for the future of mobility.

 The best performing stocks in the S&P 500 index paint a fascinating picture of how Wall Street is betting on artificial intelligence. We talk about that, and set you up for the final Federal Reserve meeting of the year.

It's been quite a week for chips. A big change at Intel. Newly finalized funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. And new restrictions on semiconductor sales into China. But what does this mean for the sector and AI development? Here's what you need to know.

President-Elect Donald Trump promises new tariffs that could make some goods more expensive. Here's how you can plan for that in your holiday shopping. Plus, a look at retail earnings. 

Crypto is up. Way up. And it's thanks to the 2024 election. There's a lot to unpack: A pro-crypto President-Elect. A new government agency with a meme coin. And a super PAC that spent more than $100 million to elect crypto-friendly politicians. Here’s what it all means for the future, and your wallet.