Markets extended their stunning 2025 rebound, with the S&P 500 logging one of the fastest recoveries from a bear market on record. Anthony and Piers unpack Goldman’s bullish upgrade spree and how Nvidia’s $4 trillion surge is fueling the rally. They dissect Trump’s copper tariff shock, the market’s technical whiplash, and what it reveals about U.S. supply chain fragility. Plus, the “Big Beautiful Bill” signed on July 4th quietly eliminated a top 2025 risk while cutting taxes and scrapping gr...
Jul 10, 2025•42 min
Markets staged a stunning rebound in the first half of 2025 - after a brutal start that saw the S&P 500 plunge into bear market territory. Anthony and Piers rewind the chaos: Trump’s tariff shock on “Liberation Day,” the inflation scare that followed, and how a market left for dead came roaring back to record highs. They unpack the Fed’s evolving rate path, the quiet rise of a “shadow chair” ahead of Powell’s potential exit, and why Nvidia’s earnings may have rescued the AI hype cycle. Plus,...
Jul 02, 2025•47 min
Anthony, Stephen, and Silvia break down the $10 billion blockbuster sale of the LA Lakers. Why did the Buss family cash out after 40 years and what makes the Lakers the world’s most valuable sports franchise? From brand power and valuation layers to the media rights behind the deal. Then, Chelsea FC quietly sells off its women’s team… to itself? Stephen exposes the dark arts of private equity and how Chelsea dodged FFP rules with some creative accounting. Finally, ESPN buys into lacrosse, and En...
Jun 30, 2025•43 min
Markets hit new highs this week, but under the hood, things are anything but settled. Anthony and Piers unpack the Nasdaq’s breakout, Nvidia’s relentless rally, and why a historic rebound might be more than just a bounce. They dig into Trump’s latest attack on Powell and the rise of a “shadow chair” theory already shifting rate expectations—and markets. Plus, why Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. base sent oil crashing, not soaring. From data to geopolitics, this episode filters out the noise and ...
Jun 28, 2025•36 min
In this episode, Anthony speaks with Wee Kii Teh, a Portfolio Manager at Allianz Global Investors, about the practical skills and mindset needed to succeed in a competitive finance career.Drawing on experience across credit risk, capital markets, and now impact investing, Wee Kii shares what really sets top interns apart, how to adapt to new roles quickly, and why asking smart questions is more important than knowing all the answers.Whether you’re preparing for an assessment centre, trying to de...
Jun 25, 2025•42 min
Anthony and Stephen explore how Cursor became the fastest-growing AI startup ever, from MIT roots to “vibe coding” hype and a $20 billion valuation in just 14 months. Then, it’s boardroom drama in Spain as Sabadell spins off TSB to block a hostile takeover from BBVA — a strategic move with big implications for European banking. Finally, Barclays brings in McKinsey to cut costs. What happens when consultants start targeting front-office jobs and what does it signal for banking careers in the age ...
Jun 23, 2025•42 min
Welcome to Market Maker - the podcast that makes finance interesting and easy to understand for everyone. Hosted by Anthony Cheung, Chief Content & Culture Officer at AmplifyME, each week he and a guest break down what’s really moving markets, from interest rates and tech stocks to global politics and the latest M&A deals. Think of it like the FT... but with fewer buzzwords, more clarity, and a lot less taking ourselves too seriously. For anyone looking to understand markets better, whet...
Jun 20, 2025•46 sec
Markets have stayed calm so far this week, but central banks and geopolitics were anything but. Anthony and Piers break down the Fed’s muted meeting, the revised growth and inflation forecasts, and the hidden signals in the dot plot. Over in the UK, a dovish shift at the Bank of England suggests more cuts are coming despite a steady headline rate. They also unpack rising tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, and what oil markets are really telling us about the risk of escalation. From vot...
Jun 19, 2025•38 min
From a $33 billion family tie-up at Toyota to Japan’s 400% surge in M&A activity, Anthony and Stephen break down the latest investment banking scorecard and why dealmakers are suddenly flocking East. They also dig into Disney’s final takeover of Hulu, the $15 billion Meta bet on AI startup Scale, and the fiery rise of Dave’s Hot Chicken, where three friends turned a $900 parking lot pop-up into a billion-dollar brand. Essential listening for anyone tracking global M&A trends, streaming w...
Jun 16, 2025•31 min
Markets erupted this week as oil spiked 13% overnight following Israeli strikes on Iran. Anthony and Piers unpack what it all means from geopolitical shockwaves to the tactical chaos of trading during breaking news. They also dive into the concept of backwardation and why it's dominated the oil market for years, despite the headlines. Plus, what U.S. inflation data reveals about Trump’s tariff strategy and the real pressure behind his attacks on Fed Chair Jerome Powell. With the Fed meeting loom...
Jun 13, 2025•41 min
From Wall Street’s wild recruiting arms race to the collapse of KKR’s £4bn Thames Water rescue, Anthony and Stephen unravel the biggest private equity stories shaping markets right now. They unpack why PE firms are hiring grads five years early (and why J.P. Morgan’s furious), the 35% drop in global fundraising, and what it means for the industry’s future. Plus: Salesforce bets $8bn on Informatica in a bold AI data play, and after 717 days of drama, the Telegraph sale finally nears the finish li...
Jun 09, 2025•44 min
Piers Curran returns to break down the macro landscape as we head into the second half of 2025, just in time for interview season. We unpack the three economic pillars: growth, inflation, and interest rates through the lens of Trump’s tariffs, the U.S. deficit crisis, and conflicting market signals. Why are stocks near highs while bond yields and the dollar signal caution? What’s really behind gold and Bitcoin’s surge? And how should you interpret these moves when sitting across from an intervie...
Jun 04, 2025•34 min
In this episode, Anthony speaks with Sara Ruozzo, whose journey from classical studies in Milan to internships at Microsoft and Tesla, and now working in sustainable investments at UBS, is a masterclass in career pivoting with purpose. If you're a student from a non-finance background or early in your career, wondering how to break into finance (and feel like everyone else already knows the playbook), this one's for you. Sara discusses the real value of a STEM background in the finance industry ...
May 28, 2025•53 min
From a $35bn “Valentine’s Day love letter” to OpenAI’s mysterious $6.5bn hardware play, Anthony and Stephen break down the biggest deal stories shaking up markets this week. They also dive into the private equity pullback as firms like Blackstone and KKR slump, why Goldman Sachs is going big on the Middle East, and how Victoria’s Secret is fighting off unwanted attention with lingerie and a poison pill. Essential listening for anyone curious about the mechanics of mega M&A, private equity’s ...
May 26, 2025•35 min
From a surprise jump in UK inflation to soaring retail sales and a surging pound, Anthony and Piers break down why Britain’s economy is defying expectations and what it means for interest rate cuts. They also unpack the bizarre logic behind OPEC’s production hike amid falling oil prices, gold’s fresh rally on renewed debt fears, and how Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” could push US borrowing costs to record highs. Essential listening for anyone trying to make sense of inflation surprises, energy ma...
May 23, 2025•25 min
From eToro’s blockbuster debut to the return of SPACs and the flood of micro IPOs from China, Anthony and Stephen break down what’s really happening in the 2025 IPO market. They also dive into the data behind Japan’s surprise IPO boom, why London continues to lag, and which investment banks are topping the ECM league tables, with one unexpected name climbing fast. Essential insight for anyone tracking deals, equity markets, and the big stories behind this year’s public listings. (00:00) Intro &a...
May 19, 2025•42 min
From a blistering 20% S&P rebound to Trump’s tariff U-turn, Anthony and Piers unpack what’s behind one of the fastest stock market rallies in recent memory — and whether it can last. They also dive into the surprise inflation slowdown, what it means for Fed rate cuts, and why the looming US debt ceiling deadline could be the next big market risk. Plus, is “taco trade” the new “buy the dip”? Essential listening for anyone trying to make sense of fast-moving markets, policy shifts, and the psy...
May 16, 2025•31 min
In this career insight episode, Anthony speaks with Mahgul Ansari, an Assistant Portfolio Manager at Premier Miton, about her unconventional path into investment management. Starting out studying modern languages at Oxford University and later qualifying as a chartered accountant, Gul shares how she pivoted into asset management, the challenges she faced along the way, and how she built an edge in the industry by combining linguistic, analytical, and accounting skills. Gul opens up about dealing...
May 14, 2025•55 min
From Shell eyeing BP in a historic mega-merger to 3G Capital’s surprise $9.4bn move on Skechers, Anthony and Stephen break down the M&A headlines driving markets this week. They also unpack Sunoco’s $9.1bn cross-border play for Canada’s Parkland and explain what a “fairness opinion” really means. Essential insight for anyone interested in deals, strategy, and what real money is doing in volatile times. (00:00) Intro & Topics on the Table (02:41) Mega M&A Deal: Shell and BP (24:20) Sk...
May 12, 2025•41 min
The Fed kept rates on hold - no surprise there. But in this episode, Anthony and Piers dig into the real story: the subtle shifts in language, the rising risk of stagflation, and how Trump’s tariff war is clouding the economic outlook. They break down why traders hang on Powell’s every word, how markets react before policy changes, and what conflicting data says about where the US economy is headed. Whether you're trying to make sense of monetary policy or sharpen your market instincts, this is ...
May 08, 2025•27 min
Meta is back in the crosshairs of the FTC. Could Zuckerberg really be forced to spin off Instagram or WhatsApp? We explore the legal showdown, what it means for antitrust enforcement in big tech, and the potential ripple effects for future M&A deals in Silicon Valley. Then, we head to the UK where private equity giant KKR is circling Thames Water with a potential £4 billion investment. It’s a classic case of distressed infrastructure meets sharp-elbowed private capital. Tune in for a breakdo...
May 06, 2025•43 min
Anthony and Piers break down the latest U.S. GDP figures that sent headlines into a frenzy, but is the economy really on the brink of recession? This episode dives into the mechanics behind the data, why imports distorted the numbers, and what it really means for the Fed, markets, and your investment outlook. Clear, no-nonsense insight that cuts through the headlines. (00:00) Introduction and Economic Context (02:09) Understanding GDP and Its Implications (06:30) Consumer Sentiment and Economic ...
May 02, 2025•27 min
Guinevere Taylor didn’t study finance. She didn’t go to a top-tier uni. But she built a successful career in asset management and after several years as a director at a major sell-side bank, she now leads UK Capital Formation at Brightwood Capital. In this episode, she shares how she broke into the industry, built confidence in client-facing roles, and juggled early motherhood with a demanding career. If you're a student or young professional looking for real, relatable advice on thriving in fin...
Apr 30, 2025•40 min
In this podcast episode, Anthony and Stephen unpack the return of mega mergers, from Capital One’s $35.5bn takeover of Discover Financial to Nomura’s strategic $2bn acquisition. Plus, they dive into why private equity is reshaping the accountancy world through massive consolidation plays like Baker Tilly and Grant Thornton. Whether you're aiming for banking, asset management, accounting, private equity, or advisory, this is essential insight to stay ahead of the curve. (00:00) Introduction to M&...
Apr 28, 2025•36 min
What happens when a president hints at firing the Fed chair, markets spiral, and Elon Musk suddenly retreats from Washington? In this episode, Anthony and Piers dissect Trump’s headline-grabbing U-turn, the deeper implications for Fed independence, and why Tesla shares soared despite disastrous earnings. Plus, is a US-China trade thaw finally in sight and what could that mean for inflation and rates? Another high-stakes week in global markets made easy to understand for everyone. (01:58) Trump v...
Apr 23, 2025•38 min
In part two of our ESG mini-series, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett dive into the backlash that’s hit the ESG world: record fund outflows, greenwashing scandals, political pushback, and major asset managers quietly stepping away. But is this really the end… or just the next chapter? They explore why ESG has become so controversial, why the US and Europe are heading in different directions, and whether it’s still possible to invest with purpose and make money. Plus, some practical advice for a...
Apr 21, 2025•31 min
In this episode, Anthony sits down with Miren-Edurne De Frutos, a senior sales & trading executive with decades of global experience across top-tier investment banks. Fluent in five languages and having worked across eight countries, Miren shares her refreshingly honest take on: What sales & trading roles actually involve (minus the jargon) How to stand out in finance by mastering soft skills The power of building authentic, long-term relationships Why neurodiversity still isn't talked a...
Apr 16, 2025•42 min
Is ESG just a buzzword or does it still matter? In this two-part episode, Anthony Cheung is joined by ESG expert Stephen Barnett to unpack what ESG really means, where it came from, and why it’s become so confusing (and controversial). From trillion-dollar funds to wind turbines on glossy brochures, they explore the good, the bad, and the misunderstood. Whether you're curious about impact investing, thinking about a career in sustainable finance, or just want to finally understand what ESG actua...
Apr 14, 2025•44 min
In one of the wildest weeks on Wall Street since 2008, markets flip from panic to euphoria—thanks to a single Truth Social post and a dramatic policy reversal from Donald Trump. But was it all part of the plan? In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down: Why the S&P 500 had its biggest one-day jump since the financial crisis The real asset class that forced Trump’s hand (hint: not equities) What bond yields, auction flops, and China’s emergency meetings say about global mark...
Apr 10, 2025•42 min
What does it take to succeed in quant finance? Anthony Cheung sits down with Nitish Maini, Chief Strategy Officer at WorldQuant, to discuss his journey from consulting to quant trading, the biggest misconceptions about the industry, and why creativity and strategic thinking are just as important as coding skills. They also explore how WorldQuant is reshaping global talent pipelines through initiatives like the WorldQuant BRAIN platform and the International Quant Championship, opening doors for ...
Apr 09, 2025•33 min
