Market Maker

Anthony, Stephen, and Silvia break down the $10 billion blockbuster sale of the LA Lakers. Why did the Buss family cash out after 40 years and what makes the Lakers the world’s most valuable sports franchise? From brand power and valuation layers to the media rights behind the deal.

Then, Chelsea FC quietly sells off its women’s team… to itself? Stephen exposes the dark arts of private equity and how Chelsea dodged FFP rules wit...

Markets hit new highs this week, but under the hood, things are anything but settled. Anthony and Piers unpack the Nasdaq’s breakout, Nvidia’s relentless rally, and why a historic rebound might be more than just a bounce.

They dig into Trump’s latest attack on Powell and the rise of a “shadow chair” theory already shifting rate expectations—and markets.

Plus, why Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. base sent oil crashing, not soa...

In this episode, Anthony speaks with Wee Kii Teh, a Portfolio Manager at Allianz Global Investors, about the practical skills and mindset needed to succeed in a competitive finance career.Drawing on experience across credit risk, capital markets, and now impact investing, Wee Kii shares what really sets top interns apart, how to adapt to new roles quickly, and why asking smart questions is more important than knowing all the answer...

Anthony and Stephen explore how Cursor became the fastest-growing AI startup ever, from MIT roots to “vibe coding” hype and a $20 billion valuation in just 14 months.

Then, it’s boardroom drama in Spain as Sabadell spins off TSB to block a hostile takeover from BBVA — a strategic move with big implications for European banking.

Finally, Barclays brings in McKinsey to cut costs. What happens when consultants start targeting fr...

Welcome to Market Maker - the podcast that makes finance interesting and easy to understand for everyone.

Hosted by Anthony Cheung, Chief Content & Culture Officer at AmplifyME, each week he and a guest break down what’s really moving markets, from interest rates and tech stocks to global politics and the latest M&A deals.

Think of it like the FT... but with fewer buzzwords, more clarity, and a lot less taking ourselv...

Markets have stayed calm so far this week, but central banks and geopolitics were anything but. Anthony and Piers break down the Fed’s muted meeting, the revised growth and inflation forecasts, and the hidden signals in the dot plot. Over in the UK, a dovish shift at the Bank of England suggests more cuts are coming despite a steady headline rate.

They also unpack rising tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, and what oil ...

From a $33 billion family tie-up at Toyota to Japan’s 400% surge in M&A activity, Anthony and Stephen break down the latest investment banking scorecard and why dealmakers are suddenly flocking East.

They also dig into Disney’s final takeover of Hulu, the $15 billion Meta bet on AI startup Scale, and the fiery rise of Dave’s Hot Chicken, where three friends turned a $900 parking lot pop-up into a billion-dollar brand.

Ess...

Markets erupted this week as oil spiked 13% overnight following Israeli strikes on Iran. Anthony and Piers unpack what it all means from geopolitical shockwaves to the tactical chaos of trading during breaking news.

They also dive into the concept of backwardation and why it's dominated the oil market for years, despite the headlines. Plus, what U.S. inflation data reveals about Trump’s tariff strategy and the real pressure ...

From Wall Street’s wild recruiting arms race to the collapse of KKR’s £4bn Thames Water rescue, Anthony and Stephen unravel the biggest private equity stories shaping markets right now.

They unpack why PE firms are hiring grads five years early (and why J.P. Morgan’s furious), the 35% drop in global fundraising, and what it means for the industry’s future. Plus: Salesforce bets $8bn on Informatica in a bold AI data play, and aft...

Piers Curran returns to break down the macro landscape as we head into the second half of 2025, just in time for interview season.

We unpack the three economic pillars: growth, inflation, and interest rates through the lens of Trump’s tariffs, the U.S. deficit crisis, and conflicting market signals.

Why are stocks near highs while bond yields and the dollar signal caution? What’s really behind gold and Bitcoin’s surge? And ...

In this episode, Anthony speaks with Sara Ruozzo, whose journey from classical studies in Milan to internships at Microsoft and Tesla, and now working in sustainable investments at UBS, is a masterclass in career pivoting with purpose.

If you're a student from a non-finance background or early in your career, wondering how to break into finance (and feel like everyone else already knows the playbook), this one's for you.

Sara discuss...

From a $35bn “Valentine’s Day love letter” to OpenAI’s mysterious $6.5bn hardware play, Anthony and Stephen break down the biggest deal stories shaking up markets this week.

They also dive into the private equity pullback as firms like Blackstone and KKR slump, why Goldman Sachs is going big on the Middle East, and how Victoria’s Secret is fighting off unwanted attention with lingerie and a poison pill.

Essential listening for anyone...

From a surprise jump in UK inflation to soaring retail sales and a surging pound, Anthony and Piers break down why Britain’s economy is defying expectations and what it means for interest rate cuts.

They also unpack the bizarre logic behind OPEC’s production hike amid falling oil prices, gold’s fresh rally on renewed debt fears, and how Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” could push US borrowing costs to record highs.

Essential listening fo...

From eToro’s blockbuster debut to the return of SPACs and the flood of micro IPOs from China, Anthony and Stephen break down what’s really happening in the 2025 IPO market.

They also dive into the data behind Japan’s surprise IPO boom, why London continues to lag, and which investment banks are topping the ECM league tables, with one unexpected name climbing fast.

Essential insight for anyone tracking deals, equity markets, and the b...

From a blistering 20% S&P rebound to Trump’s tariff U-turn, Anthony and Piers unpack what’s behind one of the fastest stock market rallies in recent memory — and whether it can last.

They also dive into the surprise inflation slowdown, what it means for Fed rate cuts, and why the looming US debt ceiling deadline could be the next big market risk. Plus, is “taco trade” the new “buy the dip”?

Essential listening for anyone trying t...

In this career insight episode, Anthony speaks with Mahgul Ansari, an Assistant Portfolio Manager at Premier Miton, about her unconventional path into investment management.

Starting out studying modern languages at Oxford University and later qualifying as a chartered accountant, Gul shares how she pivoted into asset management, the challenges she faced along the way, and how she built an edge in the industry by combining ling...

From Shell eyeing BP in a historic mega-merger to 3G Capital’s surprise $9.4bn move on Skechers, Anthony and Stephen break down the M&A headlines driving markets this week. 

They also unpack Sunoco’s $9.1bn cross-border play for Canada’s Parkland and explain what a “fairness opinion” really means. 

Essential insight for anyone interested in deals, strategy, and what real money is doing in volatile times.

(00:00) Intro & Topics...

The Fed kept rates on hold - no surprise there. But in this episode, Anthony and Piers dig into the real story: the subtle shifts in language, the rising risk of stagflation, and how Trump’s tariff war is clouding the economic outlook. 

They break down why traders hang on Powell’s every word, how markets react before policy changes, and what conflicting data says about where the US economy is headed. Whether you're trying t...

Meta is back in the crosshairs of the FTC. Could Zuckerberg really be forced to spin off Instagram or WhatsApp?

We explore the legal showdown, what it means for antitrust enforcement in big tech, and the potential ripple effects for future M&A deals in Silicon Valley.

Then, we head to the UK where private equity giant KKR is circling Thames Water with a potential £4 billion investment. It’s a classic case of distressed i...