Market Maker

AmplifyME
  • 5.0 (172)
  • Investing
  • Updated weekly

The AmplifyME Market Maker Podcast makes finance fun and easy to understand. Hosted by LinkedIn Top Voice Anthony Cheung and trader-turned-founder Piers Curran, each week they break down the biggest market stories and trends shaping the global economy. Get real insight, boost your commercial awareness, and learn how markets really work, with top guests from leading banks, hedge funds, and asset managers sharing their career journeys and invaluable advice.

  1. 4 days ago

    Why SpaceX Paid $60 Billion for AI Startup Cursor

    Why would a company generating less than $20 billion in annual revenue spend $60 billion acquiring an AI coding startup? In this episode of AmplifyME Market Maker, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett take a deep dive into SpaceX's blockbuster acquisition of Cursor and explore the strategy behind one of the most talked-about deals in markets. They break down how Cursor went from startup to a $60 billion acquisition target in just a few years, why investors pushed SpaceX above a $3 trillion valuation following the announcement, and what the deal reveals about AI, venture capital, corporate finance and Elon Musk's long-term vision. The discussion also explores the unique economics of highly valued companies, how acquisitions can accelerate growth, and why the world's biggest technology firms are racing to secure AI talent and infrastructure. Plus, a look at Fox's $22 billion acquisition of Roku and the latest developments in UniCredit's ongoing pursuit of Commerzbank. (00:00) Intro (01:45) SpaceX & Cursor Deal (04:38) SpaceX Valuation Debate (09:08) Deal Structure Explained (15:33) Shareholder Structure (18:18) Who is Cursor (21:16) Cursor Founders (22:44) The MIT Startup Ecosystem (29:42) Fox Buys Roku (36:26) M&A Psychology (40:13) UniCredit vs Commerzbank (42:32) Orcel's Takeover Strategy

    45 min

  2. 18 Jun

    Debt Capital Markets (DCM) Explained

    In this episode, we shine a spotlight on Debt Capital Markets, a crucial yet often overlooked business function within major investment banks like J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, and Citi. Join us as we demystify DCM, explaining its unique role within investment banking divisions and the essential personality traits that make individuals well-suited to this area of finance. From structuring bond offerings to advising clients on debt issuance strategies, DCM professionals play a vital role in facilitating capital raising for corporations and governments worldwide. Get ready to dive deep into Debt Capital Markets and uncover fresh insights into the ever-evolving world of finance. (00:00) What is DCM? (05:50) Working in DCM (08:36) Skills of DCM Analyst (13:48) DCM Progression (14:59) Salary Progression

    17 min

  3. 15 Jun

    How AI Is Changing Investment Banking Jobs | The Future of M&A Careers

    Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing investment banking, but what does that actually mean for M&A professionals and students looking to break into the industry? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett explore how AI is being used across mergers and acquisitions, from deal sourcing and due diligence to financial modelling and research. They discuss the rise of specialist finance AI tools such as Rogo, why private equity firms are embracing AI, the risks around automation, and whether junior investment banking roles could look very different in the years ahead. Most importantly, they examine the skills that will become more valuable as AI reshapes finance careers, including communication, judgment, adaptability and relationship building. If you're interested in investment banking, private equity, AI in finance, or the future of financial services careers, this episode is for you. (00:00) How AI Is Changing M&A (01:49) What M&A Bankers Actually Do (04:49) Private Equity AI Integration (06:54) AI Adoption Across Finance (13:16) Where AI Adds The Most Value (19:13) Beyond Financial Modelling (26:38) Who Is Using AI Most? (28:50) Rogo, Claude & AI Tools (36:14) The Risks Of AI (38:52) The Future Of Investment Banking (42:40) Skills AI Can't Replace (49:03) Final Thoughts On AI & Careers

    50 min

  4. 12 Jun

    US CPI, ECB Rate Hikes & The Political Risk Facing UK Markets

    The SpaceX IPO has captured the world's attention, but away from the headlines there are some major macroeconomic developments investors should be watching. In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down the latest US inflation report, discuss whether the Federal Reserve may avoid further rate hikes despite inflation rising to 4.2%, and analyse why the European Central Bank has become the first major Western central bank to raise rates in response to the recent energy shock. They also explore the growing political risk in the UK, where a little-known by-election could have significant implications for bond markets, government borrowing costs and the future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Plus, the pair give their predictions on where SpaceX shares could trade after one of the most anticipated IPOs in market history. (00:00) Intro & Themes in Focus (01:41) SpaceX IPO Mania (06:05) US Inflation Hits 4.2% (14:50) Will The Fed Hike? (20:11) ECB Hikes Rates (32:36) The UK By-Election Risk

    43 min

  5. 10 Jun

    OpenAI’s IPO Filing Explained | SpaceX IPO Update

    The AI IPO race is heating up. In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we break down the latest developments surrounding the SpaceX IPO and OpenAI’s confidential S1 filing to the SEC. We discuss Goldman Sachs’ huge growth forecasts for SpaceX, the surge in retail investor demand, and why Elon Musk may be positioning SpaceX as one of the biggest AI infrastructure plays in the world. We also dive into OpenAI’s reported internal tensions ahead of its IPO process, including concerns around governance, leadership and whether the company is truly ready to go public. If you're interested in AI, investing, IPOs, venture capital or the future of technology companies, this episode gives you a practical breakdown of what’s happening behind the headlines. (00:00) Intro (01:03) SpaceX IPO Update (08:39) Bankers Selling the Vision (10:35) Retail Demand & Hype (14:20) OpenAI Files for IPO (18:57) OpenAI’s Internal Issues (22:59) Why CEO/CFO Tension Matters (24:57) Goldman & Morgan Stanley

    27 min

  6. 8 Jun

    SpaceX IPO Roadshow Begins | Anthropic’s IPO Race + Berkshire Hathaway’s Next Move

    The SpaceX IPO is becoming one of the most fascinating corporate events in modern financial history. This week on Market Maker, we unpack the latest updates from SpaceX’s live IPO roadshow, including Elon Musk’s influence over the process, Goldman Sachs’ strategy, retail investor demand and the unusual decision to lock the IPO price before bookbuilding even began. We also explain Anthropic’s IPO filing, why the AI race with OpenAI is accelerating and how Berkshire Hathaway quietly built one of the most powerful business models in the world after its latest $6.8 billion acquisition. A must-watch episode for anyone interested in investing, IPOs, AI, business strategy and how modern financial markets really work. (00:00) SpaceX IPO Roadshow (06:15) S&P Rejects SpaceX (11:29) Why Banks Are Winning (19:19) Anthropic Files To IPO (27:58) Anthropic vs OpenAI (33:08) Berkshire Hathaway Explained (39:22) Buffett’s Secret Strategy (46:40) Berkshire’s Next Move

    50 min

  7. 4 Jun

    World Cup 2026: Goldman Sachs Predicts The Winner

    What does the World Cup have in common with Wall Street trading desks? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we break down the hidden financial world behind the biggest sporting event on the planet. From Goldman Sachs’ 100,000-run quant model predicting the winner of the tournament, to the rise of Polymarket and decentralised prediction exchanges, this is the World Cup through the lens of markets, trading and probability. We explore how bookmakers operate like market makers, why prediction markets are disrupting the betting industry, and how billions of dollars are now being traded on World Cup outcomes. We also dive into the data behind implied probabilities, elo ratings, liquidity, market inefficiencies and why England may be one of the most mispriced teams in the tournament. Plus, we uncover fascinating ECB research showing how football matches cause trading volume in London markets to collapse in real time. If you want to understand how finance, probability, trading and sport collide, this episode is for you. (00:00) The Finance Behind The World Cup (03:51) How Bookies Really Make Money (05:48) The Problem With “Smart Money” (14:03) Prediction Markets Explained (16:06) Polymarket vs The Bookies (20:23) Goldman Sachs Predicts The Winner (23:01) What Is An Elo Rating? (24:44) Goldman Predictions 5th to 1st (26:05) Argentina: Winners Slump Factor (26:54) France: Bracket Drag (27:26) Why England Is Overpriced (30:08) Goldman’s Terrible Track Record (31:40) World Cup Impact On Markets (35:12) The Economic Boom Of Football (37:26) Final Predictions & Golden Boot

    39 min

  8. 1 Jun

    The SpaceX IPO Explained | The Complete Deep Dive

    In this episode of The Market Maker Podcast, we break down everything you need to know about Elon Musk’s $2 trillion SpaceX empire, the IPO frenzy surrounding the deal, and whether this is the investment opportunity of a generation or the biggest bubble on Wall Street. We analyse the real numbers behind Starlink, XAI, rockets, satellites, AI infrastructure, and the hidden strategy driving Musk’s masterplan. If there’s one video to watch before the SpaceX IPO launches, this is it. (00:00) SpaceX Deep Dive Intro (01:22) Biggest IPO Ever? (05:39) The $2 Trillion Valuation (10:45) Why IPO Now? (13:40) Inside The Prospectus (15:22) Breaking Down The Business (18:46) The AI Infrastructure Bet (27:33) The Space Industry Boom (32:44) Elon Musk’s Control (37:26) Wall Street’s IPO Battle (44:29) Retail Investor Frenzy (49:51) How To Invest In SpaceX (53:15) Why Indexes Changed The Rules

    1hr 1min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
172 Ratings

About

The AmplifyME Market Maker Podcast makes finance fun and easy to understand. Hosted by LinkedIn Top Voice Anthony Cheung and trader-turned-founder Piers Curran, each week they break down the biggest market stories and trends shaping the global economy. Get real insight, boost your commercial awareness, and learn how markets really work, with top guests from leading banks, hedge funds, and asset managers sharing their career journeys and invaluable advice.

Information

  • Creator
    AmplifyME
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    438
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © AmplifyME
  • Show Website
    Market Maker

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