Market Maker

In this episode, Stephen discusses the often misunderstood field of corporate banking, highlighting its significance within the financial services industry. He explains the core functions of corporate banking, the career paths available, and the technical skills required for success in this area. Whether you're considering a career in corporate banking or just want to understand its impact, this episode is packed with valuable insights!(01:46) Welcome Back and Introduction(04:43) Understanding Corporate Banking Functions(06:42) Corporate Banking vs M&A pay comparison(11:35) Skills needed to excel in Corporate Banking(15:44) The Profile of a Successful Corporate Banker(19:23) Recruitment in Corporate Banking****Jargon Buster as promised!Leverage RatioWhat it means: Measures the relationship between a company's debt and its earnings (EBITDA).Why it matters: A high leverage ratio indicates a company is using a lot of borrowed money, which can be risky. Banks use this to decide whether to lend and at what cost.Coverage RatioWhat it means: Compares a company’s operating profit to its annual interest payments.Why it matters: Shows how easily a company can pay the interest on its debt. Higher ratios are better.Service RatioWhat it means: Looks at whether a company's free cash flow can cover both interest payments and debt repayments.Why it matters: Helps assess the company’s ability to handle its total debt obligations over time.Gearing RatioWhat it means: The ratio of a company’s debt to its equity.Why it matters: Indicates how much of the company is financed by debt versus shareholders' money. Higher gearing often signals higher financial risk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Anthony and Piers as they dive into the latest market moves, including the US rally and shifting investments toward European equities.They unpack the impact of Trump’s tariffs, the rise of cyclical stocks, and the global trade ripple effects. Plus, hear their take on Netflix’s subscriber boom, its bold strategic shifts, and the groundbreaking launch of the Stargate AI infrastructure project.A must-listen for anyone tracking the intersection of markets, tech, and trade!(01:20) Market Rally: A New Dawn(07:42) The Impact of Tariffs and Trade Relations(10:24) Shifts in Investment: US to Europe(15:40) AI Infrastructure: The Stargate Project(22:19) Netflix's Resurgence: Subscriber Growth and Strategy  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of our Women in Finance series, Kristine shares her remarkable journey from a small mining town to leading roles at one of the world’s top commodity trading houses.Packed with insights on trading, risk management, and career growth, this episode is a masterclass in navigating the fast-paced world of commodities.With candid advice on building skills, networking effectively, and handling pressure, Kristine offers invaluable lessons for anyone aspiring to excel in trading or finance!(01:36) Series Kickoff and Introduction(04:15) Kristine’s Path: From College to Cargill(10:27) How Extracurricular Activities Build Career Skills(13:11) Demystifying Commodity Trading(18:43) Must-Have Skills for Successful Traders(26:45) Balancing a High-Stakes Career with Personal Life(29:48) Tackling Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence(35:37) Navigating Gender Perceptions in Trading(38:47) Strategic Networking for Career Growth(47:35) Overcoming Challenges: Lessons from the Trading Floor(53:43) Why a Great Mentor Makes All the Difference(59:27) The Three Key Ingredients for Career Success(01:06:02) Final Reflections: Life Lessons from Kristine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Deal Room, Anthony sits down with AmplifyME Co-Founder & CEO Will De Lucy to explore what it takes to thrive under pressure. From his journey as a trader to leading a global financial training platform, Will shares powerful lessons on managing stress, building resilience, and staying in the performance "flow." Discover how to make smarter decisions under pressure, master networking, and adapt your trading skills for a fast-evolving, tech-driven world. Don't miss these actionable insights for success in finance and beyond!(01:58) Intro: What’s Coming Up(03:20) Will’s Journey: From Trader to CEO(08:01) Managing Stress in High-Pressure Roles(14:45) How to Recover from Bad Decisions(17:45) Finding Your Flow State(20:34) Self-Awareness and Taking Action(22:44) Decision-Making Under Uncertainty(25:07) Steps to Build Resilience(27:22) Networking Advice for Success(30:07) How Tech is Changing Trading Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Anthony and Piers unpack record-breaking earnings from J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup, driven by surging trading revenue, rising investment banking fees, and resilient consumer spending. With inflation easing in both the UK and US, markets are feeling a sense of relief, fueling optimism for 2025—if geopolitical risks stay contained.Tune in for a fast-paced breakdown of the numbers behind the headlines and what it all means for Wall Street, Main Street, and the year ahead!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Anthony and Stephen discuss significant developments in the corporate finance world, including the $3.7 billion acquisition of Getty by Shutterstock, Jensen Huang's keynote speech at CES 2025, and the performance of investment banks as they prepare for a potentially lucrative year ahead. The conversation delves into the implications of these events for the market, the strategies behind the acquisition, and the future of robotics and AI in business.Whether you're into finance, tech, or the future of business, this episode has something for you.Intro (02:32)3 topics for discussion (04:27)Getty Images Shutterstock merger (05:34)Nvidia CES 2025 update (16:40)Investment bank crunch time (27:41) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Anthony and Piers discuss the current state of the UK market, focusing on the drop in the pound and the significant rise in bond yields. They explore the yield curve dynamics, inflation expectations, and the looming threat of stagflation, while examining the political forces shaping market sentiment and investment strategies in these turbulent times.Should you be worried? You'll have to listen to find out!(02:44) Intro to Market Trends (03:10) Media Hype: What's Driving the Buzz? (04:34) Bond Yields: Why They’re in Focus (05:24) Understanding the Yield Curve(11:39) What’s Causing These Market Moves? (18:07) UK Politics Meets Elon Musk’s Influence (22:52) Future of Bond Yields: What’s Next? (28:09) Central Bank Intervention: Will It Happen?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Deal Room, Anthony and Stephen take you through the entire process of selling a business—from the first decision to sell to the final handshake. Whether you're preparing to step away from a business you've built or just curious about the deal-making world, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.You'll learn:How to prepare for a successful business saleThe art of negotiation and building trust in dealsWhy M&A advisors are essential and how they guide the processThe emotional and strategic challenges business owners face during a saleWith real-world examples and expert tips, this episode dives deep into the psychology of selling, due diligence, and the key steps to close the deal with confidence.If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or student aspiring to break into M&A, this episode is your blueprint to mastering the art of selling a business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hosts delve into M&A predictions, forecasting a staggering $4 trillion in deals by 2025. They tackle looming US debt issues, interest rates, and the impact of new economic policies. AI’s shift to software innovations is highlighted, questioning America's market resilience. Excitement brews for 'Squid Game' Season 2, with Netflix's stock closely examined. Engaging debates on the S&P 500 and cryptocurrency valuations keep the energy high, wrapped up with holiday cheer and gratitude for listeners.

The U.S. central bank reduced its overnight borrowing rate by a quarter point to a target range of 4.25% to 4.5%, as expected.However, new quarterly forecasts showed several officials penciled in fewer rate cuts for next year than they estimated just a few months ago, and saw inflation making considerably less progress in 2025.The Nasdaq 100 fell 3.6% and the S&P 500 sank nearly 3%The two-year Treasury yield, which is highly sensitive to Fed policy, surged 10 basis points to 4.34%U.S. dollar jumped more than 1% against a basket of six peers to the highest level since November 2022 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.