Market Maker

AmplifyME
  • 4.8 (26)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. 1d ago

    Why UBS Is Threatening to Leave Switzerland

    Could UBS really leave Switzerland? In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down the growing dispute between Switzerland’s biggest bank and the government over new capital requirements and why tougher regulation could have major consequences for UBS and its shareholders. We explain how banks actually work, why Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital matters, what changed after the collapse of Credit Suisse and why forcing banks to hold more capital can make them safer but potentially less competitive. We also look at the battle between traditional banks and fintech challengers, as Monzo considers its next move following takeover interest from Nubank. With Revolut racing ahead and Monzo looking for fresh capital, we explore why some challenger banks have succeeded while others have struggled to scale and what could happen next. 00:00 The Ultimate Banking Mistake 04:10 How Banks Really Work 06:41 What Is CET1? 12:44 Why Banks Are Too Big to Fail 20:18 UBS vs Switzerland 27:54 Why UBS Is Fighting Back 32:23 How UBS Compares 38:35 What’s Happening at Monzo? 46:51 How Challenger Banks Work 49:05 Revolut vs Monzo 52:30 What Happens Next?

  2. 5d ago

    What a US Investment Bank MD Really Looks for When Hiring Graduates

    What does it actually take to build a successful career in financial markets? In this episode, Anthony Cheung sits down with Jamie Philip, who began his career trading at a hedge fund before spending nearly 19 years at J.P. Morgan, ultimately becoming Managing Director and Head of EMEA Futures and Options Execution Sales. Jamie shares what senior bankers really look for when hiring graduates, why being teachable can matter more than appearing impressive, and the mistakes young professionals often make once they land their first job in finance. We also discuss the importance of consistency, trust and reputation, why comparing yourself to others can derail your career, and the lessons Jamie learned from nearly two decades inside one of the world’s biggest investment banks. For anyone trying to break into investment banking, sales and trading or financial markets, this is an inside look at what it takes not just to get the job, but to build a career that lasts. 00:00 Breaking Into Finance 02:58 Buy Side to Sell Side 10:13 A Non-Linear Path 17:18 What MDs Look for in Graduates 20:24 How to Stand Out 22:28 Why Consistency Matters 27:11 Handling Mistakes Under Pressure 29:43 The Early Career Trap 32:46 Money, Success & Perspective 37:08 Finding Work-Life Balance 43:49 Jamie’s Advice for Graduates

  3. Sep 28

    Oil, Sanctions & SuperTankers: The Deals Driving Global Energy

    In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett explore how geopolitics and soaring energy prices are reshaping some of the biggest deals in global markets. We look at Nigeria’s $1.6 billion Dangote Petroleum IPO and its ambition to build the world’s largest oil refinery, before unpacking Carlyle’s attempt to acquire Lukoil’s $20 billion portfolio of international assets amid Russian sanctions. We also break down why Trafigura is launching a new supertanker business as spot shipping rates surge towards $1 million a day, and how disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is transforming the economics of moving oil around the world. Finally, we examine KKR’s acquisition of DCC Energy and explain why private equity sees an opportunity in one of Europe’s biggest energy distributors. 00:00 The Global Energy Shake-Up 02:08 Nigeria’s $1.6BN IPO 04:17 Inside the Dangote Refinery 07:10 How Do You Value African Companies? 12:12 Nigeria’s Energy Revolution 17:45 Lukoil’s $20BN Sale 24:29 Inside Trafigura 28:56 The Supertanker IPO 31:53 Why Shipping Rates Are Surging 37:24 KKR’s Acquisition of DCC Energy 40:23 How Private Equity Creates Value 43:04 The Deal Gets Approved

  4. Sep 23

    Britain’s Debt Problem Is Getting Worse - What Happens Next?

    UK government borrowing is surging, bond yields remain elevated and the cost of servicing Britain’s debt is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. But how serious is the problem and what happens if borrowing costs stay high? In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down why Britain’s public finances are under pressure, how the bond market can constrain government spending and why the Bank of England’s decision to step back from quantitative tightening could matter for UK borrowing costs. We also explore whether governments can simply keep accumulating debt, why the US and Japan have managed even larger debt burdens, and whether AI-driven productivity growth could eventually offer Britain a way out. Finally, we look at the bigger question facing developed economies: if debt keeps rising, what could actually cause the music to stop? 00:00 Britain’s Debt Problem 02:22 Why Debt Is Getting Expensive 08:56 The Global Debt Problem 10:49 Britain’s Borrowing Surge 11:50 Why UK Inflation Is Different 15:44 Is Britain’s Economy Stalling? 17:53 Why Bond Yields Matter 21:20 Quantitative Tightening Explained 27:32 Could QE Return? 30:29 Can AI Save the UK Economy? 36:00 Can Britain Keep Borrowing? 40:12 Is the West Losing Power?

  5. Sep 21

    Why Private Equity Just Bought HYROX | Oura’s $16B IPO Explained

    HYROX has exploded into one of the biggest trends in fitness, and now private equity wants a piece of it. But what exactly makes the business so attractive? In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down how HYROX makes money, its rapid global expansion and why private equity giant L Catterton has invested in the business. We look at its asset light event model and ask whether HYROX can become a lasting global fitness brand or risks following the same path as CrossFit. We also unpack Oura’s reported $16 billion IPO, from its hardware and subscription model to the 42 billion hours of biometric data it has collected. Could Oura become much more than a wearable technology company, or is there a risk it becomes the next Peloton? (01:52) Oura’s $16B IPO (02:50) Why Oura Is Booming (06:33) The Subscription Engine (08:08) Investors in Oura (10:53) The Role of Robinhood (12:43) IPO Underwriters (15:39) History of Oura (19:12) Oura Business Model (23:41) Oura’s Data Advantage (27:52) The Peloton Warning (31:42) Celebrity Endorsements (34:10) Can Oura Justify $16B? (40:35) Why HYROX Is Exploding (44:25) How HYROX Makes Money (50:40) The CrossFit Warning (54:58) Oura vs HYROX: Who Wins?

  6. Sep 17

    Why the Fed Is Raising Rates Again | What Happens Next?

    The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in three years, with Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivering a unanimous 25 basis point hike as inflation once again becomes the dominant concern for financial markets. In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down why the Fed decided to hike, what Warsh means by “removing accommodation”, and why the decision could be an important test of the Fed’s independence amid political pressure from Donald Trump. We also explain the reaction across bonds, equities and the US dollar, why short and long-term Treasury yields are moving differently, and what the Fed’s latest projections could mean for interest rates over the rest of 2026. Whether you’re following markets as an investor or preparing for a global markets interview, this episode gives you a practical framework for understanding one of the most important macro stories shaping the global economy. (00:00) Why This Fed Decision Matters (01:13) Why the Fed Hiked (06:49) Policy Accomodation (09:13) What’s Driving Inflation? (16:18) Is the Fed Independent? (21:44) How Markets Reacted (25:51) What Happens Next? (29:56) Lessons From Past Rate Hikes (32:50) Interview Cheat Sheet

  7. Sep 14

    Investment Banking Interview Prep: The M&A Deals You Need to Know in 2026

    Application season is underway, and if you’re targeting investment banking, understanding what’s actually happening in M&A can give you a real advantage in interviews. In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down the huge resurgence in global dealmaking in 2026, why mega-deals are dominating, which sectors and banks are benefiting, and how interest rates, AI and valuations are shaping the outlook. Most importantly, we explain how to turn that knowledge into better interview answers: which deals to research, how to structure your response and how to demonstrate genuine commercial understanding rather than simply memorising headlines. (00:00) Investment Banking Interview Prep (01:48) The M&A Boom (04:47) Why Mega Deals Are Surging (10:52) What Drives M&A? (17:46) Merger Arbitrage (19:41) The Hottest Sectors (24:04) Which Banks Are Winning? (26:15) How to Target Your Applications (30:21) Stephen's Favourite Episode (33:26) Anthropic IPO Prediction (34:46) Impact of US Mid-Terms (41:23) Number One Advice

  8. Sep 10

    Is Inflation Coming Back? Why Oil, Food Prices & Interest Rates Are Rising

    Oil is back above $100 a barrel, food prices are climbing and central banks are once again facing pressure to raise interest rates. Is the world heading towards a second wave of inflation? In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran explain why the latest inflation threat goes far beyond the headline oil price. China is returning to the crude market just as conflict continues to disrupt global energy supplies, while refinery problems are pushing petrol and diesel prices even higher. At the same time, food commodities including wheat, rice, coffee, sugar and cocoa are rising as war, extreme weather and supply disruption hit global production. We look at how those higher costs eventually reach the supermarket checkout and why a £100 UK weekly shop from 2020 could soon cost around £150. Finally, we break down what this means for the Federal Reserve, Bank of England and other central banks, why bond yields are rising, and whether higher inflation could force interest rates to stay higher for longer. (00:00) Is Inflation Coming Back? (01:33) Why Oil Is Above $100 (05:57) The Trump Oil Problem (07:11) Petrol Prices Surge (12:43) How Oil Traders React (15:58) Food Inflation Returns (22:44) Why Food Prices Are Rising (23:59) Interest Rates Going Higher? (28:47) The Stagflation Risk (31:36) The £150 Weekly Shop

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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    AmplifyME
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    467
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © AmplifyME
  • Show Website
    Market Maker

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