Market Maker

Last week the American global investment company KKR held its first investor day in 3 years, laying out a plan to scale its core businesses to reach at least $1 trillion of assets under management in five years. In this episode, our Director of Corporate Finance, Stephen Barnett, provides expert insights into KKR's journey from its origins in the 1970s to its present-day status as a leader in alte...

Upside inflation prints, solid labour market data, and easing financial conditions have led the market to reprice the number of US rate cuts to just two this year but is this the final verdict? Meanwhile, discover the driving forces behind the FTSE 100's surge to record highs. Plus, gain valuable insights into the Q1 2024 earnings reports from industry giants like J.P. Morgan, Citi, and BlackRock....

Join us this week in The Deal Room as we dissect the buzz surrounding Google's potential acquisition of HubSpot, a deal potentially valued at a $35bn. Discover the strategic reasoning behind it, potential synergies, and the looming antitrust hurdles. We also take you on a tour of the latest deals making waves in the corporate world: Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. - A $13bn buyout by Silver Lake...

In this episode, co-founder Piers Curran provides his latest insight into what's happening in global markets right now.  From fluctuating expectations on when the US central bank will cut interest rates to why commodities like gold and copper have been soaring of late. The team also delves into the recent dip in Tesla's quarterly deliveries, sparking debates over its significance in the broad...

Q1 of 2024 has seen a significant increase in financial transactions. Total M&A volumes are up 30%, US IPO's are tracking 18% above this time last year and private equity firms are sitting on over $1 trillion of dry powder. In this episode, Stephen Barnett delves into the core principles underpinning this uptick in activity. We'll explore what lies on the horizon for the coming quarters and ga...

In this career episode, I share my insights on how to make the most of your Spring Week, ensuring both personal and professional growth.  From fostering a curious mindset to taking initiative and mastering time management, these tips aren't just applicable for the duration of your Spring Week but will resonate throughout your early career. By embracing these principles, you'll not only excel...

In The Deal Room podcast series this week: Reddit IPO launch and the bull case for how the business intends to grow in the future Microsoft hires DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman in their latest AI talent raid which is set to test regulators and VCs Consumer goods giant Unilever is selling its ice cream unit for between €10bn to €15bn. Find out why spin-offs can often be a tasty treat for priv...

It was a significant week in global markets as many of the world's leading central banks announced their latest monetary policy decisions. Find out what the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan said and how markets reacted. Whether you're navigating the application process or seeking to refine your skills before an internship, this 5-minute summary is your essential guide to staying...

In 2024, the IPO landscape has experienced a significant revival. While discussions frequently gravitate towards the next big company to hit the New York Stock Exchange, we aim to expand your viewpoint to a global perspective. From the surging interest in Dubai’s car park investments to the allure of Hong Kong’s Sexy Tea, we delve into the unique business and local environments across five key reg...

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday that would require the TikTok owner ByteDance to sell the social media platform or face a total ban in the United States. In this episode, we delve into the intricate web of national security implications, assess the likelihood of a ban, and speculate on who the frontrunners could be in a high-stakes acquisition. We also unpack how Instagram...

Dive into our latest podcast episode for a rapid-fire exploration of hot topics: Morgan Stanley's Exclusive Offer: Learn how its clients get early access to private company shares. Elon Musk's Debt Remix: Unpack the $12.5bn refinancing talks changing the game for a social media giant. Reddit's IPO Challenge: Discover the impact of WallStreetBets' critique on Reddit's looming $6.5 billion IPO. ***...

In this episode, our team delves into the stark differences between two of Wall Street's heavyweights and their conflicting predictions for the future of US stocks. We also uncover the driving forces behind the unprecedented surge in both Bitcoin and Gold, ranging from institutional adoption to rising demand from China, and offer a concise analysis of Super Tuesday's implications for the impending...

The year's largest acquisition has taken place between Capital One and Discovery. Explore the deal's rationale and delve into the significant antitrust concerns it has raised. Shein, a fast-fashion powerhouse, is contemplating shifting its initial public offering from New York to London. Is this indicative of London's resurgence as a financial hub, or merely a contingency plan? We examine the pivo...

Dive deep into the mechanics of quantitative finance and explore how a blend of skills ranging from data analysis to software development fuels this dynamic field.  If you've ever pondered the pathways to entering and excelling in quant finance, or if you seek to understand the symbiotic relationship between risk management and algorithm development, this episode is your roadmap. *** Free dai...

In this podcast episode, the team delves into the techniques and best practices for excelling in an investment bank interview. Topics covered include: **Crafting Compelling Responses:** Learn the art of structuring your answers for maximum impact. **Harnessing the Power of Non-Verbal Communication:** Discover how positive body language can tip the scales in your favour. **Setting Yourself Apart:**...

In our end-of-week wrap of Global Markets, we discuss: **Nvidia’s Market Triumph**: Nvidia shattered records with the largest single-day market gain in history, adding an astounding $277 billion to its value. This monumental surge propels Nvidia into the ranks as the third-largest company globally. But what's on the horizon for this AI titan? **The Cocoa Craze Among Hedge Funds**: Uncover the reas...

In this week's episode, we unpack the following four stories in the world of corporate finance. Will new SEC rules mean that SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies) can be more than a bubble-market phenomenon? The IPO market continues to heat up so what's driving the newfound activity and will it last? A take-private deal for Italian loafer maker Tod's fuels luxury M&A speculation Anothe...

This week, we unpack 5 real stories in the news to help you better understand concepts in corporate finance: PGA Tour secures up to $3 billion from U.S. investors as LIV Golf merger hangs in the balance Stellantis, owner of brands such as Peugeot, Fiat, and Chrysler says it isn’t considering a plan to merge with other manufacturers Shares of Amer Sports Inc. debuted with a gain, as the upsized ini...

Lots of sensational headlines this week on the risks to stocks with technology names being labeled the 'Big Tech Hype'. So should investors be worried or are the tech stocks just trading at a fair valuation? Join us for an episode that promises not only to clarify the existing tech market landscape but also to equip you with the analytical tools needed to discern hype from sustainable investment o...

Today we are taking a deep dive into the ongoing M&A saga at Paramount Global, the cable, streaming, and studio conglomerate, responsible for everything from the NFL to Top Gun. To discuss the deal, we are delighted to speak with AmplifyME Alum and Media Banking expert, Jagger Lambert, who helps us go deep into a brilliant Corporate Finance case study.  In this episode of the podcast, we...

This week we discuss the following questions: The US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England hold rates but what did they have to say about the timing of rate cuts? Microsoft continues to shine while Google shares dropped sharply as search revenues missed. Can Alphabet deliver on its AI plans in 2024? Deutsche Bank shares rose 4% on earnings while BNP Paribas fell 8%. What's caused this divergence...

Stephen Barnett picks three real-world stories in the news to unpack the world of corporate finance in practice. Amer Sports Inc., the maker of Wilson tennis rackets is seeking to raise as much as $1.8 billion in what would be one of the year’s first major initial public offerings. Macy’s has rejected a $5.8 Billion takeover offer from Arkhouse Management Co. and Brigade Capital Management despite...

In this week's weekly wrap of global markets, we talk about the forecast-busting US GDP report, the ECB's dovish tone, and Bejing's response to the slowdown in Chinese activity. In single stocks news, we unpack why Tesla shares fell 12% on Thursday and how Netflix is winning the streaming wars. ***** If you are interested in a career in finance, take the AmplifyME Finance Accelerator simulation ht...

In our latest podcast episode our Director of Corporate Finance, Stephen Barnett unpacks four FT headlines coming out of Davos last week. Private Equity predicts deal rebound as sellers capitulate on prices  Mistral becomes the talk of Davos as business leaders seek AI gains Blackstone boss Steve Schwarzman sees ‘animal spirits’ returning to the financial sector Is Davos still worthwhile?&nbs...

In our latest review of this week in markets we cover the following topics: UK CPI and US Retail Sales surprise analysts. What does this mean for future monetary policy? A breakdown of the latest earnings from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Who will win the battle of the banking giants? Donald Trump wins a landslide victory in Iowa. What next and how AI could transform the 2024 elections Find o...