Peter Orszag, CEO of Lazard and former director of the Office of Management and Budget under Obama, engages in a fascinating discussion about the future of M&A dealmaking, expected to surge by 2025. He shares insights on how potential tariffs and a second Trump administration could reshape the financial landscape. The conversation also highlights an innovative advisory council led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aimed at enhancing government efficiency. Plus, the hosts dive into rising bond yields and significant trends in the media and banking sectors.

Join Aaron Back, deputy editor at WSJ's Heard on the Street, as he breaks down the tumultuous stock market landscape of 2024. He discusses the stunning rise of companies like Nvidia and Palantir, alongside the struggles of Walgreens and Moderna. The conversation transitions to what these trends mean for investors in 2025, including insights into the undervalued healthcare sector and the emerging influence of nuclear power in tech. Additionally, Aaron highlights the growing trends in sports gambling and European market recovery, setting the stage for strategic investment planning.

Jan Hatzius, the chief economist at Goldman Sachs, shares his insights on the future economy. He predicts how tariffs, especially on Chinese imports, will shape growth and inflation in 2025. Jan unpacks the impact of changing inflation on consumer confidence and spending power. The chat delves into the evolving ties between the stock market and economic performance, highlighting shifts in consumer behavior post-pandemic. They even touch on the holiday spirit with a light-hearted discussion about gift-giving in the face of economic trends.

Vlad Tenev, Co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, discusses how the platform has evolved since its pivotal role in the GameStop trading frenzy. He shares insights on the surge in retail investing and how user behavior is shifting towards riskier derivatives. The conversation explores the fine line between investing and gambling, addressing the responsibilities that come with trading accessibility. Tenev also highlights the exciting future of retail investors in shaping market trends.

Aman Narang, CEO and co-founder of Toast, a tech firm revolutionizing restaurant operations, joins the discussion on the restaurant industry's comeback. He explains how technology is reshaping dining experiences post-pandemic, from digital payments to online ordering. Despite rising food costs, innovations are driving record patronage in restaurants. Narang dives into the challenges and advancements that have helped restaurants adapt, revealing how tech has transformed the way we dine and engage with food services.

In this insightful discussion, Paul Grewal, the Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, dives into the intriguing potential of cryptocurrency under a possible Trump administration. He explores the excitement surrounding new regulatory expectations that could foster a pro-crypto environment. Topics include the evolution of stablecoins, the future of digital assets like Dogecoin, and the essential legislative framework needed to build consumer trust. Grewal also emphasizes the importance of bipartisan cooperation in shaping a clearer regulatory path for the industry.

Rebecca Rockey, Deputy Chief Economist at Cushman & Wakefield, dives into the implications of Rockefeller Center's recent $3.5 billion refinancing deal on the commercial real estate market. She discusses the sector's resilience despite pandemic challenges and rising vacancy rates in offices. The conversation highlights how evolving investment patterns are transforming the market, while also reflecting on the future of office attendance and the impact of remote work on commercial spaces.

Welcome to WSJ’s Take On the Week. Co-hosts Gunjan Banerji, lead writer for Live Markets, and Telis Demos, Heard on the Street’s banking and money columnist, cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy, and finance—the big trades, key players and business news ahead. This week, Telis and Gunjan dig into the latest on the Trump trade, the crypto rally and what upcoming retail earnings reports from Target and Walmart could signal about American consumers. Later, Dominic Rizzo, portfolio manager of T. Rowe Price’s Global Technology Equity Strategy, joins the show to talk about artificial intelligence investment and tech stocks, including companies such as AMD and Synopsys and those in the Magnificent Seven like Alphabet, Meta and Microsoft. And of course the sector’s shining star, Nvidia. Have an idea for a future guest or episode? How can we better help you take on the week? We’d love to hear from you. Email takeontheweek@wsj.com or the hosts at telis.demos@wsj.com and gunjan.banerji@wsj.com.  Further Reading Nvidia Will Dominate Big Tech’s Earnings Season Again  From AI to Hardware Costs: Enterprise Tech Leaders Prepare for Trump 2.0  For more coverage of the markets and your investments, head to WSJ.com, WSJ’s Heard On The Street Column, and WSJ’s Live Markets blog. 

WSJ's Take On the Week brings you the insights and analysis you need to get a leg up on the world of money and investing. Weekly, we cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy and finance. Join The Wall Street Journal's Telis Demos and Gunjan Banerji in conversation with the people closest to the hot topics in markets to get incisive analysis on the big trades, key players in finance and business news ahead. The show returns November 17.

The podcast discusses going on hiatus, thanking listeners and directing them to related podcasts on wsj.com. Sponsored messages by Charles Schwab and Vanta promote financial and security management services.