Market Maker

Elon Musk just pulled off the biggest merger in corporate history but is the $1.25 trillion SpaceX–xAI deal a stroke of visionary genius, or a financial sleight of hand?

In this episode of Market Maker, Anthony and Piers unpack what’s really behind the numbers. Is this bold vertical integration or just a clever way to funnel cash into a billion-dollar-a-month AI burn machine? They dig into Starlink’s role as the cash engine, xAI’s financial reality, and why Musk is using a rare “triangular merger” to shield liabilities.

They also break down Musk’s plan for space-based data centers and whether the science (and physics) actually adds up, plus how this all ties into the bigger Muskonomy: Grok, Optimus, robo-taxis, and orbital dominance.

You'll also hear how Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and BofA are circling the biggest IPO in history and what it means for markets, investors, and tech.

New episodes drop weekly. Make sure to follow, rate, and share if you enjoy the show.

(00:00) SpaceX Acquires xAI
(01:57) Biggest Deal Ever?
(03:18) Musk’s $1.25T Valuation Math
(06:42) What SpaceX Actually Does
(07:24) Starlink = The Cash Cow
(11:35) xAI = The Cash Drain
(12:48) AI Arms Race Spending
(16:14) Why This Merger Makes Sense
(18:07) Muskonomy: The Bigger Vision
(20:28) Google, Amazon & Space Rivals
(20:59) The Triangular Merger Trick
(23:51) Starlink, xAI & SpaceX Strategy
(24:59) Space Data Centers Explained
(28:27) Who Owns Space?
(29:43) Governments vs Tech Giants
(33:05) The Science Problem in Space
(38:56) The Underwater Data Center Attempt
(41:34) Which Banks Are Involved
(48:09) Final Thoughts for the Grad Bankers

What’s it really like to be a trader at a global investment bank?

Chloe Shepherd returns to the Market Maker Podcast to pull back the curtain on the trading floor. With nearly a decade of experience at Citi and RBC, she shares the real story - the workflows, pressure, client interactions, and the surprising skills that matter most.

We bust common myths about trading, explain the difference between perception vs reality, and break down what makes someone successful in this fast-paced world.

Topics include:

What traders do day-to-day
Trading floor culture & pace
Soft vs technical skills
Why emotional intelligence matters
Advice for aspiring traders

Ideal for students, grads, and anyone exploring a career in markets or finance.

(00:00) Intro – Chloe returns to the podcast
(01:54) Explaining trading to people outside finance
(03:58) What is credit repo trading?
(05:59) Who are the clients & how big are the trades?
(12:32) Where credit repo sits in a big bank
(15:24) How to get into a niche trading desk
(18:40) Day in the life of a trader
(21:22) Reality vs stereotypes of trading culture
(23:48) Communication skills & client interaction
(26:40) Waitressing to trading: transferable skills
(31:01) From history degree to the trading floor
(34:15) Why emotional intelligence matters
(37:47) How traders build resilience
(42:20) Final reflections & advice for future traders

Listen to the previous episode with Chloe 'Breaking Barriers: Navigating Social Mobility in Finance'.

This week on the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony and Piers unpack one of the most eventful weeks in global markets and business strategy.

Donald Trump nominates Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair. What does this mean for inflation, rate cut expectations, and the sharp reversal in gold and silver?

Microsoft and Meta post strong earnings - but only one stock soars. Why did investors rotate out of Microsoft and into Meta, and what role does OpenAI play?

Tesla announces a major strategic shift, ending Model S/X production and pivoting toward robotics and robo-taxis. Is this a bold long-term play or a risky execution challenge?

Apple delivers a record-breaking quarter but faces investor hesitation amid rising costs and muted AI positioning.

A deep dive into ANTA Sports’ $2.2B acquisition of a 29% stake in Puma — and what it tells us about global brand strategy, China’s sportswear ambitions, and geographic arbitrage.

Ideal for finance professionals, students, and anyone tracking markets, tech, and M&A trends.

(00:00) Fed Chair Shake-Up: Kevin Warsh Named
(04:01) Big M&A Moves: Clorox, CVC, Alibaba, Carlyle
(06:37) Microsoft vs Meta: A Tale of Two Earnings
(09:48) Azure Growth, Copilot Struggles, OpenAI Exposure
(15:12) Meta’s AI Spend Pays Off
(18:59) Tesla’s Strategic Pivot to Robotics
(24:53) CapEx Surge, Optimus, and Execution Risk
(31:50) Apple’s Record Quarter & AI Gaps
(33:26) ANTA’s Puma Deal: Global Brand Strategy

Trump’s rumored choice for Fed Chair, BlackRock’s Rick Rieder, has suddenly jumped to frontrunner status. In this episode of Market Maker, we break down what his nomination could mean for US interest rates, inflation, and the direction of monetary policy.

We also explore why the US dollar is hitting four-year lows, the impact of Trump’s recent comments, and why Japan’s growing debt burden and political risks are putting pressure on the yen.

Markets are moving fast - don’t get left behind.

Follow the Market Maker podcast for timely and easy to understand insight on central banks, currencies, and global finance.

(00:00) Intro to Topics this Week
(03:30) Trump’s Fed Pick: Rick Rieder Explained
(04:53) Why Trump Wants Rates Cut
(06:12) Rieder’s Views on Inflation & Labour
(12:25) How Markets May React to a Rieder Fed
(16:14) Fed Meeting Recap: Powell’s Latest
(18:56) USD Drops: What’s Driving It?
(23:05) Is Gold Signaling Crisis?
(29:44) Japan’s Debt Problem
(35:59) Final Thoughts + What to Watch

Anthony flies solo to unpack the biggest stories in markets and M&A this week. First, a deep dive into the €25B Amsterdam IPO of Czechoslovak Group (CSG), a Czech defense giant capitalizing on Europe’s surging military spend. Discover how a 33-year-old CEO is leading one of the region’s most consequential listings amid geopolitical shifts.

Then, we break down Netflix’s bold all-cash move in its battle for Warner Bros., and how earnings guidance is reshaping investor sentiment.

Plus: key headlines from Soho House to GSK and mega-mergers in rail and insurance. All in under 25 minutes.

(00:00) Flying solo this week & episode overview
(01:18) Soho House $2.7B take-private deal
(01:49) Boston Scientific $15B acquisition of Penumbra
(02:10) GSK $2.2B purchase of RAPT Therapeutics
(03:11) Union Pacific & Norfolk Southern $71.5B merger
(03:52) Zurich Insurance £7.67B bid for Beazley
(04:21) Deep Dive into CSG’s €25B Amsterdam IPO
(07:17) From scrapyard to global defense giant
(09:42) Why CSG is listing now
(11:06) Europe’s defense boom
(14:04) Another IPO: Franco-German tank maker KNDS
(15:00) Netflix’s revised all-cash bid: Strategy explained
(17:00) Netflix Q4 earnings breakdown: Subs, ads, guidance