Market Maker

AmplifyME
  • 5.0 (3)
  • 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. 1 DAY AGO

    Investment Banking: The Mindset & Tactics That Get You In

    In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Shah Malik shares a masterclass in how to stand out and succeed in finance, regardless of your starting point. Currently finishing his degree at King’s College London and set to join Deutsche Bank full-time, Shah walks through how he broke into investment banking by focusing on execution, networking, and a relentless mindset. From turning retail jobs into winning talking points, to mastering online tests, to building meaningful relationships with senior bankers, this conversation is packed with tactical insights that go way beyond the typical “just network more” advice. Whether you’re targeting spring weeks, summer internships, or full-time roles, Shah’s framework for preparation, performance, and progression is one you’ll want to take notes on. (00:00) Intro – Who is Shah Malik? (01:13) Growing Up Far from Finance (03:30) Discovering Finance Early (06:32) Exploring Banking, FinTech & Consulting (08:09) Mastering the Application Process (10:05) Cracking Online Tests (11:47) How to Convert Internships (14:41) Standing Out in Spring & Summer (16:11) Smart Networking (Without Overstepping) (21:36) Turning Retail Jobs Into Resume Assets (22:54) Linking Customer Service to IB Skills (25:17) Staying Ahead: Habits & Learning (27:02) Dealing with Imposter Syndrome (29:52) Building the Wize Foundation (32:51) Focus on What You Can Control Find out more about the Wize Foundation

    36 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Inside the Biggest M&A Deals You Need To Know (Glencore, Schroders, Paramount, Anthropic)

    In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we break down the major M&A transactions reshaping global markets, spanning banking, asset management, mining, media and artificial intelligence. We begin with Santander’s $12.2 billion acquisition of Webster Bank and examine what this signals about European banks expanding into the United States. We discuss capital efficiency, deposit strategy and the broader shift in global banking power. Next, we analyse Nuveen’s $13.5 billion takeover of Schroders, creating a $2.5 trillion asset management group. We explore consolidation in active management, competitive pressure from passive giants, and what this means for London-listed institutions. We then turn to the mining sector, where merger talks between Rio Tinto and Glencore have once again collapsed. We examine copper’s growing strategic importance in the AI era, valuation disagreements, and the geopolitical complexities surrounding critical minerals. In media, Paramount strengthens its $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery. We break down ticking fees, breakup guarantees and how deal structuring can determine takeover outcomes. Finally, we cover Anthropic’s $30 billion capital raise at a $350 billion valuation and discuss the sustainability of the AI funding race as competition intensifies between OpenAI, Big Tech and emerging players. If you’re interested in mergers and acquisitions, global markets, corporate strategy and the forces shaping capital allocation, this episode provides a structured deep dive into the week’s most important developments. (00:00) Episode Overview (02:42) Santander’s $12BN US Deal (21:20) Nuveen Buys Schroders (36:02) Mining Mega-Merger Fails (45:57) $108BN Media Takeover Battle (53:37) Anthropic’s $30BN Raise

    1h 2m

  3. 11 FEB

    How to Think Like a Sovereign Debt Investor: Career Lessons from the IMF to Wall Street

    Want to break into finance or understand how global markets really work? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung speaks with Dr. Lupin Rahman - former IMF economist, World Bank advisor, and senior fixed income portfolio manager - to explore the world of sovereign credit, macro strategy, and global investing. Lupin shares how she transitioned from public sector institutions like the IMF and World Bank to the private markets, what sovereign debt investing involves, and why cultural intelligence matters as much as economic analysis. From assessing political risk in emerging markets to negotiating directly with governments, she gives a rare insider view of the forces shaping global debt markets. She also offers clear, practical advice for students and early-career professionals - including the top trait she looks for when hiring and how to approach finance with curiosity, adaptability, and long-term thinking. Packed with real-world insights and career wisdom, this episode is essential listening for anyone interested in macroeconomics, finance careers, or how markets and policy truly intersect. (00:00) Intro: Dr. Lupin Rahman (02:00) Discovering economics at 10 (03:24) Choosing finance over medicine (05:25) IMF, academia, or banking? (07:56) Switching to the private sector (09:11) Career moves through conversation (14:02) UK vs US finance culture (19:12) Policy vs profit: mindset shift (24:10) Stress, merit & diversity in markets (28:16) What is sovereign credit? (31:29) Careers in sovereign debt (35:02) The #1 trait Lupin hires for (39:18) Lupin’s book on sovereign debt *** Check out Lupin's new book, 'The Sovereign Debt Investor', a Top 10 book on Amazon, designed to give students and new market entrants a practical introduction to this underexplored area of finance.

    40 min

  4. 9 FEB

    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

  5. 4 FEB

    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

  6. 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

  7. 29 JAN

    Trump's Fed Pick, Falling Dollar, and Japan’s Debt Crisis

    Trump’s rumored choice for Fed Chair, BlackRock’s Rick Rieder, has suddenly jumped to frontrunner status. In this episode of Market Maker, we break down what his nomination could mean for US interest rates, inflation, and the direction of monetary policy. We also explore why the US dollar is hitting four-year lows, the impact of Trump’s recent comments, and why Japan’s growing debt burden and political risks are putting pressure on the yen. Markets are moving fast - don’t get left behind. Follow the Market Maker podcast for timely and easy to understand insight on central banks, currencies, and global finance. (00:00) Intro to Topics this Week (03:30) Trump’s Fed Pick: Rick Rieder Explained (04:53) Why Trump Wants Rates Cut (06:12) Rieder’s Views on Inflation & Labour (12:25) How Markets May React to a Rieder Fed (16:14) Fed Meeting Recap: Powell’s Latest (18:56) USD Drops: What’s Driving It? (23:05) Is Gold Signaling Crisis? (29:44) Japan’s Debt Problem (35:59) Final Thoughts + What to Watch

    38 min

  8. 26 JAN

    Europe’s Defense IPO Surge & Netflix’s M&A Pivot

    Anthony flies solo to unpack the biggest stories in markets and M&A this week. First, a deep dive into the €25B Amsterdam IPO of Czechoslovak Group (CSG), a Czech defense giant capitalizing on Europe’s surging military spend. Discover how a 33-year-old CEO is leading one of the region’s most consequential listings amid geopolitical shifts. Then, we break down Netflix’s bold all-cash move in its battle for Warner Bros., and how earnings guidance is reshaping investor sentiment. Plus: key headlines from Soho House to GSK and mega-mergers in rail and insurance. All in under 25 minutes. (00:00) Flying solo this week & episode overview (01:18) Soho House $2.7B take-private deal (01:49) Boston Scientific $15B acquisition of Penumbra (02:10) GSK $2.2B purchase of RAPT Therapeutics (03:11) Union Pacific & Norfolk Southern $71.5B merger (03:52) Zurich Insurance £7.67B bid for Beazley (04:21) Deep Dive into CSG’s €25B Amsterdam IPO (07:17) From scrapyard to global defense giant (09:42) Why CSG is listing now (11:06) Europe’s defense boom (14:04) Another IPO: Franco-German tank maker KNDS (15:00) Netflix’s revised all-cash bid: Strategy explained (17:00) Netflix Q4 earnings breakdown: Subs, ads, guidance

    21 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 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
    403
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © AmplifyME
  • Show Website
    Market Maker

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