Market Maker

In this episode, Anthony Cheung is joined by Harvey Bracken-Smith, founder of the Personable podcast and incoming Goldman Sachs summer intern, to unpack his remarkable journey from a small island in Jersey to Eton, Duke University, and beyond. Harvey shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of consistency, building a personal brand, and how he’s managed to interview billionaires, CEOs, and Olympic athletes before the age of 21. He also opens up about the importance of family, dealing with personal loss, and why his mantra is simply: Why not you?Whether you're navigating university, career uncertainty, or starting your own venture, this is a masterclass in mindset, grit, and taking action.(00:00) From Jersey to Wall Street(02:00) Eton Reality Check & Choosing the US Over the UK(07:51) Lifestyle & Opportunity: UK vs US vs Australia(15:59) Launching the Podcast: Purpose Over Prestige(21:30) Consistency Greater Than Talent(24:34) How to Land Guests: Confidence & Cold Approaches(31:11) The Secret Characteristic of Success(36:37) Handling Rejection: From 1,000 Emails to One "Yes"(45:45) What Actually Gets You Hired in Finance(50:30) Final Message: Why Not You?

In this final Market Maker markets episode of the year, Anthony and Piers deliver a global recap of 2025’s biggest winners, losers, and trends. From the AI-driven tech shake-up and Wall Street’s banking boom to the surprise surge in Spain’s stock market, they break down the key moves. Looking ahead to 2026, will inflation, a Fed leadership transition, or even a ‘Great AI Energy Blackout’ derail the bull run? Listen in for clear insights, easy-to-follow strategy, and a few surprising predictions.(00:00) Intro & 2025 in Review(03:50) US Equity Sectors(05:08) Hyperscalers Dominant (14:41) AI Investment Ecosystem(21:01) Data Integration vs SaaS Stocks(22:45) Financials Stage a Comeback(30:18) Value Rotation(33:59) Healthcare Divisions(42:52) Highlights in Fixed Income(46:52) Gold Shines while Oil Slumps(49:54) The End of the US Dollar?(53:19) Outlooks for US Stocks in 2026(59:22) Potential Risks(1:02:38) Black Swan Event

What does it really take to make the leap from analyst to portfolio manager at one of the world’s largest asset managers? In this episode, we sit down with Ji Young Park, Senior Portfolio Manager at Amundi, to explore her two-decade journey in the investment world. Ji shares what the role of a PM truly entails, from navigating decision-making under uncertainty to balancing technical expertise with interpersonal communication. We discuss how to know when you're ready to make the transition from analyst to portfolio manager, and why tracking your investment ideas early in your career can be a powerful tool for growth. Ji also offers candid reflections and advice for aspiring female leaders and underrepresented professionals in finance, making this a must-listen for anyone aiming to break into or grow within the asset management industry.(00:00) Intro(00:54) What a Portfolio Manager really does(03:47) Getting comfortable with being wrong(09:18) The analyst-to-PM path(15:38) Managing stress & work-life balance(19:15) DEI in finance today(24:57) Breaking into asset management(28:42) Mentor-mentee relationships that work

It’s our most anticipated episode of the year! Stephen Barnett returns to grade our 2025 predictions and lay out the playbook for 2026.We break down the massive $4.2 Trillion year in M&A, analysing why deal volume dropped while deal value skyrocketed. We also do a deep dive into the "Indigestion" facing Private Equity, with 50,000 businesses owned and nowhere to sell them, and why Private Credit is starting to look dangerously like the "Big Short" era of 2008.Plus, we reveal our Company of the Year (hint: it’s a comeback story) and our Person of the Year (is it Jensen Huang or... Michael Burry?).(00:00) Grading our 2025 Predictions (S&P, Nvidia, Bitcoin)(04:58) $4.2 Trillion in Deals (Goldman vs. J.P. Morgan)(09:38) The Rise of Boutique Banks & Size Matters(14:25) Private Equity "Indigestion"(17:52) Will Lower Rates Save Private Equity?(21:05) Is Private Credit a Bubble?(25:20) "Rating Shopping" & The Cockroach Theory(31:10) 2026 Crystal Ball: Tailwinds vs. Headwinds(35:05) Company of the Year: Google goes "Beast Mode"(40:58) Person of the Year: Jensen Huang vs. Michael Burry(44:53) The 2026 Prediction: OpenAI Gets Acquired?

In this episode, Anthony speaks with Ela Saruhanoglu, an LSE Management student who secured a full-time investment banking role at J.P. Morgan for 2026 after converting her summer internship. Despite not having a traditional finance background or spring week, Ela shares how she built technical skills from scratch, leveraged curiosity, used productivity hacks, and developed a mindset that set her apart.(00:00) Ella’s Journey to J.P. Morgan(01:21) Why Finance?(04:39) Learning Technicals(06:18) Purposeful Productivity(11:14) Balancing Uni & Applications(13:54) No Spring Week, No Problem(17:01) Preparing Ahead of Time(20:25) Managing Imposter Syndrome(24:05) Internship Tips: Visibility, Mindset, Speed(26:35) Knowing You Why