Market Maker

How does a billion-dollar M&A deal actually happen? From winning the mandate to negotiating the final sale, what really goes on behind the scenes at investment banks like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan? In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down the entire mergers and acquisitions (M&A) process, drawing on Stephen's experience in investment banking to explain how deals are pitched, structured, negotiated and ultimately completed. We explore how investment banks compete for lucrative advisory mandates, the difference between buy-side and sell-side transact

France is facing mounting pressure. Government debt has climbed above €3.5 trillion, borrowing costs are surging, and political uncertainty ahead of the 2027 presidential election is making investors increasingly nervous. In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down why French bond yields are rising, how decades of persistent budget deficits have created a growing debt problem, and why some major French companies can now borrow more cheaply than their own government. We look at Marine Le Pen’s economic plans, France’s huge pension burden, the risk of capital leaving French m

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 challenger

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 consistenc

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 eco

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

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

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 mo

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 com

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, ex

Nvidia has agreed to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, paying around 86x revenue for one of the most important platforms in open-source AI. In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down what Hugging Face actually does, why Nvidia wants it, and how the deal fits into Jensen Huang’s wider strategy to control more of the AI ecosystem. We look at Hugging Face’s journey from a failed chatbot to the “GitHub of AI”, why open-source AI is becoming increasingly important, and whether Nvidia’s growing influence should concern regulators and develope

Can governments really control financial markets, or can they simply delay the inevitable? Japan has spent nearly $100 billion trying to support the yen, with the US taking the extraordinary step of joining the intervention. But despite the firepower, the forces driving the currency, interest rate differentials, the carry trade and Japan’s economic fundamentals, haven’t simply disappeared. In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran explain how FX intervention actually works, why governments and central banks step into financial markets, and why intervention often treats the symptom r

Stripe has just made one of the biggest AI acquisitions yet, buying OpenRouter for around $7.5 billion — a company that was valued at just $1.3 billion only months earlier. So what exactly is Stripe buying, and why has OpenRouter become so valuable so quickly? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down OpenRouter’s extraordinary rise, how its platform connects businesses to hundreds of different AI models, and why the economics of AI could increasingly favour the platforms routing intelligence rather than the companies building the models thems

The global IPO market is roaring back but some of the most interesting action isn’t happening on Wall Street. In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett take a whistle-stop tour of the global IPO boom, from China’s extraordinary robotics race and Hong Kong’s growing pipeline of AI listings to what could become the biggest IPO in India’s history. We break down why Chinese robotics companies are attracting huge investor demand, what embodied AI could mean for the next stage of the technology cycle, and why Hong Kong is emerging as an important fundraising

Boeing is back in the spotlight following the release of Netflix’s new documentary Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing. But beyond the safety failures and scandals, there’s another important story: how does Boeing actually work as a business? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we break down the economics behind one of the world’s most important companies. How does Boeing make money? Why can selling aircraft be loss-making while servicing them generates huge margins? Why is its $700bn+ order backlog so important? And how have Boeing and Airbus ended up controlling more than 90% of the

SpaceX shares have surged nearly 40% from their recent lows, despite fears that its unusual staggered lock-up structure would unleash a wave of selling. So what actually happened? Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down how IPO lock-ups work, why SpaceX’s tiny public float matters and how retail buying, index funds and a potential short squeeze helped drive the rebound. We also return to EasyJet following Apollo’s £5.7 billion takeover, unpacking the private equity financing behind the deal, before looking at Cambridge Aerospace — the two-year-old UK defence technology company now va

Nvidia, CoreWeave and Wall Street are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure. But how does the financial machine behind the AI boom actually work and where are the risks? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran unpack CoreWeave’s extraordinary growth and $100bn+ revenue backlog, Nvidia’s role at the centre of the AI ecosystem, and the huge amounts of debt and private capital being used to finance data centres and GPUs. We explain what neoclouds are, why GPUs are increasingly being treated as infrastructure assets, and how firms i

Why would Sainsbury's sell one of Britain's best-known retailers for a fraction of what it originally paid? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down the sale of Argos and explain why the headline tells only part of the story. Was this a disastrous investment, or a smart strategic decision? They explore how corporate strategy, private equity and changing consumer behaviour transformed one of the UK's most iconic high street brands. Along the way, they also discuss the latest developments at SpaceX, AstraZeneca, Shein and Snap, and what these

A 22-year-old former OpenAI researcher built one of the hottest AI-focused hedge funds on Wall Street, generated extraordinary returns, then watched it unravel in spectacular fashion after a leveraged bet went wrong. Citadel stepped in to buy the portfolio, markets rebounded, and the episode raised important questions about AI investing, risk management and whether today's market is repeating the mistakes of the past. In this episode of Market Maker, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran explain what really happened to Leopold Aschenbrenner's fund, why leverage can turn winning trades into disaste

Artificial intelligence is changing the world, but who will actually make the money? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we explore the AI investment ecosystem to understand where value is really being created. From OpenAI and Anthropic to Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon, we break down the business models, investment strategies and competitive dynamics shaping the next phase of AI. Rather than focusing on the technology itself, we ask the questions investors should be thinking about. Is the AI boom sustainable? Which parts of the ecosystem are most likely to capture

In this episode, Stephen discusses the often misunderstood field of corporate banking, highlighting its significance within the financial services industry. He explains the core functions of corporate banking, the career paths available, and the technical skills required for success in this area. Whether you're considering a career in corporate banking or just want to understand its impact, this episode is packed with valuable insights! (00:00) Welcome Back and Introduction (02:57) Understanding Corporate Banking Functions (04:56) Corporate Banking vs M&A pay comparison (09:49) Skills

Why would anyone spend $9.6 billion buying an NFL team? This week, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down the record-breaking sale of the Seattle Seahawks and explain why owning a sports franchise has become one of the world's most attractive investments. From guaranteed TV revenues and billion-dollar media rights to stadium economics, private equity, and surprising tax advantages, they unpack the business model that has transformed NFL franchises into some of the most valuable assets on the planet. Along the way, they compare the NFL with European football, explain why scarcity d

Five days into office, Andy Burnham is already facing the same question every UK Prime Minister eventually encounters: who really controls the economy? In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down Burnham's first economic policies, why rising gilt yields matter far more than political headlines, and what investors should really be watching ahead of the Autumn Budget. They revisit the Liz Truss crisis to explain how bond markets forced a government into retreat, why today's starting point may be even more challenging, and whether Burnham's regional growth agenda can survive h

Wall Street isn't the only place where billion-dollar deals are happening. This week, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down ITV's agreement to sell its television and streaming business to Comcast, the owner of Sky, and explain why this is far more than just another media acquisition. They explore how investment banks advise on transformational M&A deals, why companies separate business divisions to unlock value, and what the transaction means for the future of UK broadcasting. They also analyse Reformation's upcoming IPO, using it as a case study to explain direct-to-consumer bran

Wall Street has just posted one of its strongest quarters in history. The world's biggest banks delivered record profits as trading desks, investment banking and wealth management all fired at the same time. But with Jamie Dimon warning that conditions are "nearly as good as it gets", is this a peak or just the beginning of an even bigger cycle? In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down what drove the blockbuster earnings from Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Citi, why AI has become the biggest force behind investment banking, trading and capital markets, an

This week on Market Maker, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down the £5.7 billion bidding war for easyJet and explain why private equity firms are suddenly competing to buy one of Europe's best-known airlines. Using the deal as a case study, they explore how investment bankers value airline businesses, why easyJet became an attractive takeover target, and what students can learn about mergers & acquisitions from a real live transaction. Along the way they explain key airline metrics such as ASK, RASK and CASK, discuss why airlines are notoriously difficult businesses to run, and r

Oil is up but stocks aren't blinking, so why has the market gone numb to the Strait of Hormuz standoff between the US and Iran? Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down the real reason traders are shrugging off the latest flare-up, why Trump wants oil prices low ahead of the midterms, and what Iran's grip on the Strait actually means for shipping. Then, new Fed chairman Kevin Walsh is tearing up the old central bank playbook in favour of real-time data over legacy models, and we ask whether that's smart evolution or a risky departure. Finally, Apple's $30 billion deal with Broadcom:

Is OpenAI delaying its IPO, and why has it reportedly discussed giving the US government a 5% stake? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down one of the biggest stories in finance and technology before exploring the latest IPOs shaping global markets. From Bending Spoons' blockbuster listing and Lime's stock market debut to Oman's largest flotation and Wayve's role in the London Stock Exchange's new private markets initiative, we explain what these deals reveal about investing, venture capital, AI and the future of capital markets. Whe

What does it take to keep going when things get tough? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung is joined by endurance cyclist, two-time cancer survivor and motivational speaker James Golding for a conversation about resilience, mental toughness and performing under pressure. While James has completed some of the world's toughest endurance challenges, this isn't a podcast about cycling. It's about the mindset behind sustained success and how anyone can apply those lessons in their career. Together they explore how to deal with rejection, overcome self-doubt, recover from

Goldman Sachs has advised on more than $1 trillion of mergers and acquisitions in record time, highlighting the return of blockbuster dealmaking. We explain what's driving the surge in investment banking activity, why AI is fuelling both M&A and IPOs, and what it means for markets. We also break down the growing crisis at Thames Water, why nationalisation is back on the table, and how years of private equity ownership led to one of the UK's biggest corporate challenges. Finally, we analyse Snap's dramatic decline from a $130 billion company to under $10 billion, why its founder-led governanc

SpaceX raised $86 billion in its IPO then borrowed another $25 billion from the bond markets days later. Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down the financial engineering behind the deal, what a BAA1 credit rating means, and why Elon Musk is playing a completely different game to everyone else. Micron just posted EBITDA up 15x year-on-year with gross margins jumping from 39% to 85%. We unpack what that tells us about who's really winning the AI race and why it's no longer the Mag 7. Finally, Keir Starmer is out. UK gilt yields broke above 5% for the first time in decades before falling

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 fina

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 in

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 th

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-know

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

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 mus

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

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 No

Oil is surging toward $100. Inflation fears are back. The Middle East remains highly unstable. Yet Wall Street trading desks are making record billions and major banks are raising their S&P 500 targets above 8,000. In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung and Piers Curran break down how geopolitical volatility is creating huge profits for banks like J.P. Morgan and Bank of America through market making, flow trading and hedging strategies. They also explore whether the AI rally is becoming another dot-com bubble, why semiconductor stocks continue to explode higher and wh

Most students know they need to “network” to break into finance. Very few are told how to actually do it properly. In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung sits down with corporate finance analyst Liam Edward Proctor to break down how students can build relationships, stand out in applications and navigate finance careers without coming from a traditional background. Liam shares how he went from a non-target university into corporate finance, common networking mistakes students make, how to approach coffee chats, LinkedIn strategies that actually work and why commercial

In this episode, we break down a surge in global dealmaking, from a $67 billion mega-merger in US utilities to private equity circling Magnum Ice Cream, and why UK takeovers are suddenly booming despite negative headlines. We explain how AI demand is reshaping entire industries, especially energy, infrastructure, and data centres, and why that’s triggering a new wave of consolidation. You’ll also learn how deals are actually financed, using a real-world bond issuance example to connect the dots between M&A and capital markets. And to finish, we look at one of the wildest stories in markets

Markets are ripping higher, but why? In this episode, we break down the relentless rally in US equities and why the AI boom is overpowering inflation fears, geopolitics, and rising yields. We explain what’s really driving the S&P 500, why market breadth is narrowing, and whether this rally is starting to look fragile. Then we dive into the IPO frenzy around SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic and what it means for investors and liquidity. Finally, we simplify Nvidia’s latest earnings and its next-gen “Vera Rubin” system, explaining why this could be the backbone of the future AI economy. (00:0

In this week’s episode, we break down one of the wildest stories in AI right now, Anthropic’s eye-watering $900 billion valuation, and ask whether fundamentals still matter in a market driven by momentum and FOMO. We also dive into the surprising shift in global drinking habits, why giants like Diageo are struggling, and how viral products like BuzzBallz are reshaping the alcohol industry. Finally, we revisit the private credit boom and explore whether cracks are starting to show, as banks step back in and investor sentiment begins to turn. Let us know your thoughts in the comments - wh

In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung sits down with Ignacio Ramirez Moreno, fixed income advisor, CFA Charterholder, LinkedIn creator, and host of The Blunt Dollar podcast. They discuss how to stand out in finance in the age of AI, Bloomberg Terminal tips and hidden functions, why curiosity matters more than technical skills, and how to build a personal brand on LinkedIn. Ignacio also shares CFA advice for students and professionals, the daily habits and mindset of successful finance professionals, how to turn market news into valuable insights, and career lessons le

This week on the Market Maker deals show, Anthony and Stephen break down the biggest corporate finance stories moving global markets. They unpack UniCredit’s hostile takeover battle for Commerzbank and why CEO Andrea Orcel is being labelled “The Shark” as European banking consolidation heats up again. They also dive into GameStop’s shocking $55bn bid for eBay, Ryan Cohen’s chaotic CNBC interview, and the mechanics behind meme-stock dealmaking. Finally, they explore how Eli Lilly became one of the world’s most valuable companies, why it just raised $9bn in bonds, and how pharmaceutical gi

Bond yields are surging, with the US 30-year pushing 5% and UK yields near multi-decade highs but why does it matter? In this episode of the AmplifyME Market Maker Podcast, we explain how rising yields impact your mortgage, stock valuations, and the global economy. From the “risk-free rate” to inflation expectations and central bank policy, we break down the key drivers behind one of the most important forces in markets right now. Despite booming stock markets, bond markets are signalling risk. The question is: who’s right? (00:00) Why Bond Yields Matter (03:00) The 5% Yield Level (06:06

Private credit is one of the fastest-growing areas in global finance but what actually is it, and why is everyone talking about it? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we break down private credit in simple terms: how it works, why it’s grown into a $3 trillion market, and the key players driving it, including Blackstone and Blue Owl. We also go deeper into: Why private credit exploded after the 2008 financial crisis How it differs from traditional bank lending and public debt What a Business Development Company (BDC) is Why institutional investors are pouring money int

This week, we unpack what’s really happening in IPO markets. From a Hong Kong listing surging nearly 400%, to breaking down how IPOs actually work (including the “green shoe” mechanism), to Revolut’s long-term IPO ambitions — and why UK listings like RAC are being delayed. If you’re trying to understand how companies go public and what’s driving today’s market, this is a simple, real-world walkthrough. (00:00) IPO market overview (02:41) Hong Kong’s IPO surge (12:05) How IPOs work (green shoe explained) (20:58) Revolut & fintech vs banks (29:01) UK IPO struggles & RAC delay ***** Sub

What’s driving markets right now? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we break down the Fed’s policy split, oil prices surging above $120, and the growing risk of stagflation. We also analyse Big Tech earnings, why Google outperformed Meta, and the escalating AI battle between OpenAI, Anthropic, and major tech giants. If you want clear insights on markets, inflation, and where things are heading next, this episode has you covered. (00:00) Intro & Market Overview (01:52) Fed Decision & Rate Outlook (11:29) Oil Surge & Geopolitics (19:19) OPEC, UAE & Supply Dynamics (25:14) Big Tech E