Market Maker

AmplifyME

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. HACE 22 H

    Elon’s $1.25T SpaceX-xAI Merger: Vision or Hype?

    Elon Musk just pulled off the biggest merger in corporate history but is the $1.25 trillion SpaceX–xAI deal a stroke of visionary genius, or a financial sleight of hand? In this episode of Market Maker, Anthony and Piers unpack what’s really behind the numbers. Is this bold vertical integration or just a clever way to funnel cash into a billion-dollar-a-month AI burn machine? They dig into Starlink’s role as the cash engine, xAI’s financial reality, and why Musk is using a rare “triangular merger” to shield liabilities. They also break down Musk’s plan for space-based data centers and whether the science (and physics) actually adds up, plus how this all ties into the bigger Muskonomy: Grok, Optimus, robo-taxis, and orbital dominance. You'll also hear how Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and BofA are circling the biggest IPO in history and what it means for markets, investors, and tech. New episodes drop weekly. Make sure to follow, rate, and share if you enjoy the show. (00:00) SpaceX Acquires xAI (01:57) Biggest Deal Ever? (03:18) Musk’s $1.25T Valuation Math (06:42) What SpaceX Actually Does (07:24) Starlink = The Cash Cow (11:35) xAI = The Cash Drain (12:48) AI Arms Race Spending (16:14) Why This Merger Makes Sense (18:07) Muskonomy: The Bigger Vision (20:28) Google, Amazon & Space Rivals (20:59) The Triangular Merger Trick (23:51) Starlink, xAI & SpaceX Strategy (24:59) Space Data Centers Explained (28:27) Who Owns Space? (29:43) Governments vs Tech Giants (33:05) The Science Problem in Space (38:56) The Underwater Data Center Attempt (41:34) Which Banks Are Involved (48:09) Final Thoughts for the Grad Bankers

    51 min
  2. HACE 5 DÍAS

    What do traders ACTUALLY do? | Day in the Life of an Investment Bank Trader

    What’s it really like to be a trader at a global investment bank? Chloe Shepherd returns to the Market Maker Podcast to pull back the curtain on the trading floor. With nearly a decade of experience at Citi and RBC, she shares the real story - the workflows, pressure, client interactions, and the surprising skills that matter most. We bust common myths about trading, explain the difference between perception vs reality, and break down what makes someone successful in this fast-paced world. Topics include: What traders do day-to-dayTrading floor culture & paceSoft vs technical skillsWhy emotional intelligence mattersAdvice for aspiring traders Ideal for students, grads, and anyone exploring a career in markets or finance. (00:00) Intro – Chloe returns to the podcast (01:54) Explaining trading to people outside finance (03:58) What is credit repo trading? (05:59) Who are the clients & how big are the trades? (12:32) Where credit repo sits in a big bank (15:24) How to get into a niche trading desk (18:40) Day in the life of a trader (21:22) Reality vs stereotypes of trading culture (23:48) Communication skills & client interaction (26:40) Waitressing to trading: transferable skills (31:01) From history degree to the trading floor (34:15) Why emotional intelligence matters (37:47) How traders build resilience (42:20) Final reflections & advice for future traders Listen to the previous episode with Chloe 'Breaking Barriers: Navigating Social Mobility in Finance'.

    46 min
  3. 2 FEB

    Fed Shake-Up, Tech Earnings Divergence & Tesla’s Strategic Pivot

    This week on the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony and Piers unpack one of the most eventful weeks in global markets and business strategy. Donald Trump nominates Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair. What does this mean for inflation, rate cut expectations, and the sharp reversal in gold and silver? Microsoft and Meta post strong earnings - but only one stock soars. Why did investors rotate out of Microsoft and into Meta, and what role does OpenAI play? Tesla announces a major strategic shift, ending Model S/X production and pivoting toward robotics and robo-taxis. Is this a bold long-term play or a risky execution challenge? Apple delivers a record-breaking quarter but faces investor hesitation amid rising costs and muted AI positioning. A deep dive into ANTA Sports’ $2.2B acquisition of a 29% stake in Puma — and what it tells us about global brand strategy, China’s sportswear ambitions, and geographic arbitrage. Ideal for finance professionals, students, and anyone tracking markets, tech, and M&A trends. (00:00) Fed Chair Shake-Up: Kevin Warsh Named (04:01) Big M&A Moves: Clorox, CVC, Alibaba, Carlyle (06:37) Microsoft vs Meta: A Tale of Two Earnings (09:48) Azure Growth, Copilot Struggles, OpenAI Exposure (15:12) Meta’s AI Spend Pays Off (18:59) Tesla’s Strategic Pivot to Robotics (24:53) CapEx Surge, Optimus, and Execution Risk (31:50) Apple’s Record Quarter & AI Gaps (33:26) ANTA’s Puma Deal: Global Brand Strategy

    43 min
  4. 20 ENE

    IBD, Equity Research, or Global Markets? Decoding Investment Bank Careers

    Not sure whether investment banking, equity research, or global markets is the right fit for you? In this episode, Anthony Cheung is joined by former Goldman Sachs equity research analyst Silvia Magni to break down what these three front-office roles really involve. They cover responsibilities, hours, how each division makes money, skills required, and who each job suits best. Whether you're targeting a summer internship or a full-time role, this episode is your all-in-one guide to understanding the major divisions in investment banking. Episode highlights: What it's like to work in IBD vs equity research vs markets The surprising differences in working hours and pressure Common myths and what recruiters really look for How AI and information overload are changing the skill set Tips on choosing the right division for your personality (00:00) Intro: Finding Your Fit in Finance (01:24) Investment Banking Division (IBD) Explained (02:30) Equity Research: What It’s Really Like (05:38) Jargon Buster for Division Names (06:19) Global Markets Roles Overview (09:08) Revenue Models: How Banks Make Money (13:00) Working Hours & Lifestyle Differences (18:01) Must-Have Skills for Investment Banking (21:20) AI, Info Overload & the Skill Shift (22:24) Key Skills for Markets Professionals (26:33) Transferable Experience in Sales (27:43) Equity Research: The Hidden Middle Ground (30:49) Summary: Side-by-Side Role Comparison Join our next free 2-hour simulation in Markets or Banking.

    34 min

Acerca de

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.

También te podría interesar