Market Maker

Inside the Biggest M&A Deals You Need to Know (Pfizer, LVMH, Atlético Madrid, Parker Hannifin)

In this week’s M&A episode of AmplifyME Market Maker, Anthony and Piers break down the biggest deal headlines from Apollo taking control of Atlético Madrid to LVMH’s stake in Swiss movement maker Le Joux-Perret, Parker Hannifin’s $9.25 billion filtration acquisition, and Burger King’s China JV. The deep dive focuses on Pfizer’s $10 billion battle with Novo Nordisk for Metsera, unpacking the bidding war, regulatory tensions, the strategic race for obesity drugs, and why contingent value rights (CVRs) make this deal so unusual.

(00:00) Atlético Madrid, LVMH & Parker Hannifin

(03:55) Pfizer vs Novo Nordisk for Metsera

(05:10) How the Bidding War Escalated to $10B

(12:27) Contingent Value Right

(18:10) Key Deal Takeaways

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This week on the AmplifyME Market Maker podcast, we break down three major market stories: Trump ends the longest US government shutdown, but markets are already bracing for another fiscal cliff in January; oil drops sharply as Saudi ramps supply ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Trump in Washington; and we unpack Goldman Sachs’ latest view on whether the AI boom is a bubble or the start of a multi-trillion-dollar investment cycle.

(00:00) Intro & Themes in Focus

(02:10) US Government Shutdown Ends

(08:40) SNAP, ACA & Sector Impacts

(12:20) Airlines & Thanksgiving Travel

(14:20) Oil Drops 4%: Supply Glut

(19:05) Saudi Strategy & Trump Meeting

(22:09) AI Demand vs Energy Glut

(24:30) Are We in an AI Bubble?

(26:25) Private vs Public AI Valuations

(29:00) Data Centre Capex Boom

(33:22) Where Value Sits in the AI Stack

(34:31) Gary Marcus & AI Limits

(37:49) Bubble or Not? Final Take

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Thinking about a career in finance and want to build confidence in your market views? In this episode, Anthony Cheung is joined by Mike Bell, a former J.P. Morgan macro strategist, to break down how to think clearly about the economy, communicate under pressure, and make your ideas land.

Mike explains how to navigate the business cycle, what really matters when forming a macro view, and how to present with clarity - whether it's to clients, in interviews, or on live TV. If you want to sharpen your market thinking and sound confident doing it, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right away.

(00:00) Intro to Mike Bell

(03:06) Politics Meets Economics

(07:41) Business Cycle Basics

(13:05) Inflation and Recession

(17:39) Tech Shocks & AI

(22:36) Models vs. Discretion

(31:15) Learning Public Speaking

(35:28) Preparing for Pressure

(51:25) Posting on LinkedIn

In this episode of Market Maker, Anthony and Piers unpack why the pound has dropped to a seven-month low following Rachel Reeves' rare pre-budget comments, and what it signals for UK markets.

They explore London’s rise as a global quant hub, attracting top STEM talent and reshaping finance.

Plus, they break down the $49 billion Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue merger, why markets hate it, and what it means for deal-making today.

(00:00) Welcome & Pound Drop

(04:30) UK Fiscal Shift

(18:43) Quant Boom in London

(30:33) Big Tech vs Quants

(36:50) $49B M&A Deal

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Check out the AmplifyME in-person Finance Bootcamp happening in London, 15-19 December 2025.

Use the Code BOOT150 at checkout for a £150 discount.

What does bravery look like in the world of finance? Terri Duhon, Wall Street trader turned board director, TEDx speaker, and award-winning educator, shares her remarkable journey from rural Louisiana to MIT, J.P. Morgan, and the boardrooms of Morgan Stanley International and rising fintech firm Wise.

In this inspiring episode of the Market Maker Podcast mini-series spotlighting women in finance, Terri talks about the power of dreaming big, why financial literacy is essential for independence, and how being brave, not perfect, can change everything. She also explores the myths around women and numbers, the reality of imposter syndrome, and the critical role community plays in building confidence.

If you’ve ever doubted your path or felt like you didn’t belong, Terri’s story will remind you that you’re not alone and that you absolutely belong.

(00:00) Introduction & Guest Background

(00:52) Growing Up in Louisiana

(04:10) Imposter Syndrome & MIT

(08:28) Lessons from the Trading Floor

(13:07) Leaving Wall Street

(16:39) Bravery Over Perfection

(19:54) Women and Self-Selection

(25:58) Financial Independence

(30:00) Building Confidence

(33:25) Changing Role Models

(36:31) Final Message

This week on Market Maker, we unpack three big themes moving markets. Nvidia briefly hit a $5 trillion valuation before a Trump–Xi meeting wiped billions off the stock. We explain what happened and what it reveals about AI hype and geopolitics.

We then break down big tech earnings: Alphabet soared while Meta slumped, despite similar numbers. Is “BATMMAAN” the new “Magnificent 7”? And finally, the Fed cut rates—but Powell’s fog analogy hints at rising uncertainty ahead.

Whether you’re a student, prepping for interviews, or just want clear market insights, we’ve got you covered.

(00:00) Themes in Focus This Week

(03:46) Nvidia hits $5T: AI chips, hype & order book

(09:17) Trump–Xi meeting fallout: Nvidia crashes

(22:00) Alphabet soars, Meta slumps — why?

(30:11) Amazon & Apple: AI, retail, and holiday signals

(37:40) Meta’s spending problem + the new AI chapter

(49:37) Fed cuts rates: Powell’s “fog” warning

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In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung is joined by Joe Little, Global Chief Strategist at HSBC Asset Management, to explore the personal journey and professional insights behind one of the top roles in finance.

From discovering economics by chance to immersing himself in investment classics and landing a role at J.P. Morgan, Joe shares how curiosity and persistence shaped his career path.

He also breaks down the real-world role of a Chief Strategist, explains why clear communication and storytelling are powerful tools in markets, and shares why early mentorship can shape your entire career.

Whether you're a student exploring your options or an early-career professional finding your feet, this episode offers inspiration, practical advice, and honest insight into what it takes to thrive in finance.

(00:00) Intro

(00:56) Joe’s unlikely start

(02:20) Discovering economics

(06:43) Importance of mentors

(12:27) What a strategist does

(20:28) Power of storytelling

(28:05) Nature or nurture?

(32:08) Performing under pressure

(34:41) Working across cultures

(39:51) Life on the road

(42:37) Mindset for success

In this episode, Anthony speaks with Kate Hill, Global Head of Trading at Aviva Investors, about her three-decade career spanning Citi, Morgan Stanley, HSBC, and Aviva.

Kate shares what it was like stepping onto the trading floor for the first time, how major market events shaped her path, and the cultural differences she experienced across leading global institutions. She also reflects on transitioning into leadership, balancing personal challenges with career decisions, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

It’s a candid conversation packed with advice for students and early-career professionals - from resilience and adaptability to the skills that will define the future of trading as technology transforms finance.

(00:00) Trading Intro & Career Journey

(02:57) First Impressions on the Floor

(07:23) Intersection of Markets & Politics

(08:48) Key Market Events & Decisions

(11:47) Reality of Dynamic Markets

(13:14) The Value of Experience

(19:25) Cultural Differences in Finance

(22:43) Moving into Leadership

(26:53) Personal Challenges & Career Choices

(34:46) Asset Management vs Sell-Side

(37:00) Advice for Aspiring Professionals

(41:15) Future of Trading & Tech

With a rate cut from the US central bank now almost guaranteed, we break down what it actually means and why the Fed is also quietly ending its multi-billion-dollar balance sheet tightening.

Meanwhile, Wall Street's heavyweights, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and BlackRock just posted monster earnings. We unpack why deal-making is back, what Jamie Dimon's "cockroach" comment means for private credit, and how Morgan Stanley reclaimed its equity throne.

Finally, silver? It just hit a 45-year high, driven by a short squeeze that’s forcing traders to fly silver bars across the Atlantic. Literally.

From central bank policy to commodity chaos this is your one-stop weekly debrief to make sure you're on top of all things markets.

(00:00) Intro & Themes in Focus

(04:25) Fed Cut Locked & Loaded

(09:12) Understanding QE & QT

(21:12) Wall Street's big comeback

(23:09) J.P. Morgan Credit Problem

(27:56) Private Credit Warning

(32:26) Morgan Stanley's Stellar Performance

(37:01) Goldman's Huge Quarter

(40:06) GS Job Cuts Amid AI Adoption

(43:27) BlackRock's £13.5trl Boom

(47:12) Silver Gets Short Squeezed

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Student interested in Global Markets? Try our free Finance Accelerator simulation

Want to train with Anthony and the team in London this December? Check out the Finance Bootcamp

In this episode, Anthony is joined by Marc Bergeron, a veteran of nearly four decades in finance, from bond trading in the '80s to co-founding his own firm and now championing mentorship at Orchard Global, a leading alternative investment manager.

Marc shares real stories about navigating market crashes, learning the hard way about soft skills, and why adaptability and resilience are make-or-break traits in today’s finance world.

Whether you're a student wondering where to start or a young professional trying to find your edge, Marc's journey offers invaluable insights (and a few hard-won lessons) to help you grow and thrive in the industry.

(00:00) Intro & Guest Intro

(01:31) From Engineering to Finance

(03:39) Life on the ’80s Trading Floor

(07:33) Starting a Finance Firm

(14:54) Entrepreneurial Mindset

(14:29) Soft Skills in Finance

(17:10) Resilience & Adaptability

(24:06) Mentoring & Continuous Learning

(31:17) Organisational Resilience

(34:06) Biggest Lessons & Regrets

(38:22) One Book You Should Read

(42:00) Final Thoughts & Warwick Event

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