Market Maker

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.

(00:00) What’s Driving the Market Rally?

(05:00) AI vs Macro: Why Markets Don’t Care

(08:12) Is This Rally Running Out of Steam?

(15:18) SpaceX IPO & AI Hype Explained

(26:13) Nvidia Earnings & The Future of AI

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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 - where do you think Anthropic’s valuation lands by the end of 2026?

(00:00) Intro & Themes in Focus

(02:04) Anthropic's $900B Valuation?!

(12:50) No One’s Drinking? BuzzBallz Boom

(30:37) Private Credit Cracks Showing?

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 learned from interviewing top finance leaders.

Whether you're a student, graduate, analyst, or already working in finance, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

(00:00) Intro

(02:00) Turning market news into insights

(05:35) Bloomberg Terminal functions every finance student should know

(09:50) How to post consistently on LinkedIn

(13:18) High-decay vs low-decay content

(16:05) The Blunt Dollar podcast & career lessons

(20:37) Why curiosity matters in finance

(23:36) AI and the future of finance careers

(28:35) CFA advice for students & professionals

(34:31) What a fixed income advisor actually does

(41:30) Career advice nobody teaches at university

(45:42) The importance of relationships in finance

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 giants use acquisitions to defend their blockbuster drug pipelines.

Whether you're aiming for banking, asset management, accounting, private equity, or advisory, this is essential insight to stay ahead of the curve.

(00:00) Intro & Researcher Opportunity

(03:04) UniCredit vs Commerzbank

(18:50) GameStop’s $55BN Bid for eBay

(32:18) Eli Lilly’s $9BN Bond Raise & M&A Strategy

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn

Watch the CNBC interview with GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen

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) Impact on Mortgages

(07:48) Risk-Free Rate Explained

(12:27) Stocks vs Bonds Disconnect

(14:38) Inflation Expectations

(16:58) Trading Opportunities

(23:35) Stocks Rip Higher

(25:36) S&P Earnings Growth

(26:43) UK Political Risk

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 into it

• The risks, defaults, and whether this could become a systemic issue

Private credit offers higher returns than traditional debt but with that comes important trade-offs around liquidity, transparency, and risk. We explore whether the concerns you’re seeing in the media are justified or overblown.

If you’ve seen headlines about private credit and want a clear, no-nonsense explanation, this episode is for you.

⏱️ Timestamps:

(00:00) What is private credit?

(00:58) How it works (simple explanation)

(03:19) Why it’s grown so fast

(05:48) Inside Blackstone Strategy

(11:05) Blue Owl & BDCs explained

(15:31) The risks & “financial crisis” debate

📩 Got questions? Drop them in the comments, we’ll be jumping in to answer.

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

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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 Earnings Breakdown

(33:39) AI Race & OpenAI Concerns

Find out more about our role-specific simulations for attraction, training and assessment in early careers in finance at www.amplifyme.com

What happens when an AI model is considered too powerful to release?

In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we unpack one of the most bizarre and important stories in tech right now, as Anthropic’s Mythos model sparks debate about whether AI companies are building the future or just mastering the art of hype.

From a strange moment involving an AI sending emails while its creator was eating a sandwich, to the wider implications for cybersecurity and global power, this story raises bigger questions than it answers.

We also explore the potential collapse of LIV Golf after billions in Saudi investment and what it tells us about the limits of capital when strategy doesn’t deliver results.

Finally, we break down the news that Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down after 15 years, what his legacy really is, and what the shift to a product-focused successor could mean for the next era of the world’s most valuable company.

If you want to understand the stories moving markets without the noise, this is the place.

(00:00) Intro & Topics in Focus

(02:27) What is Claude Mythos

(09:02) Hype or Real?

(13:55) LIV Golf Crisis

(22:24) Tim Cook Exit

(28:35) Apple Succession Plan

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Find out more about simulations for attraction, training and assessment at www.amplifyme.com

Communication is one of the most valuable skills in finance and professional careers, yet it’s rarely taught.

In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung speaks with James Percy-Smith, founder of The Elocution Coach, about how students and professionals can develop powerful communication skills that accelerate their careers.

They break down the four stages of becoming a confident speaker, why pressure and repetition are essential for improvement, and how better communication can transform your performance in interviews, presentations, and the workplace.

If you want to speak with confidence, perform better in interviews, and influence people at work, this episode shares practical techniques you can start using immediately.

(00:00) The #1 Career Skill

(01:19) Why Most People Speak Poorly

(02:40) The 4 Stages of Great Speakers

(06:16) The Pressure Practice Trick

(10:09) Beating Virtual Interviews

(15:36) Authentic vs Role Playing

(20:08) Explaining Complex Ideas

(26:12) Speak With Authority

(33:13) Body Language Secrets

(37:33) Famous Speakers Broken Down

(39:39) The Ingredients of Charisma

(43:21) The 5-Minute Speaking Habit

(46:48) Final Advice

Join the waiting list for James' new book! www.jamespercysmith.com/book