Money Stuff: The Podcast

Katie and Matt explore the intriguing world of Beast Industries, diving into its $200 million investment and shifts in blockchain strategies. They debate the implications of a 10% credit card interest cap and its potential to reshape borrower options. Additionally, they uncover a shocking insider trading case linked to drug trials, revealing serious ethical concerns. With a dash of humor, they also examine the future of creator influence and fintech ambitions, making for a lively discussion on money and morality.

The discussion kicks off with Wyclef Jean and segues into JP Morgan's bold move to use AI for proxy voting. They dive into private equity recruiting and the backlash against traditional practices, revealing the rapid pace of hiring. The hosts debate the impact of institutional buyers on housing affordability and analyze Trump's controversial policy proposals. Expect insights on stock buybacks and the quirks of Jamie Dimon's leadership style. It's a whirlwind of finance, politics, and technology that adds a fresh twist to familiar topics.

Listeners dive into the intriguing world of earnings calls, where analysts showcase skills for access. The hosts critique hedge fund culture, discussing the balance of curiosity and sociability. They share favorite money-making quotes from legends like Buffett. The mechanics of ETFs versus mutual funds reveal the secrets of trading. A bold idea emerges for sportsbooks to act as prediction market makers. Plus, the elegance of horse dressage is compared to Pilates, highlighting the beauty of performance adrenaline.

Katie and Matt dive into the legal intricacies of merger agreements, breaking down the Warner-Paramount saga. They ponder over trust commitments and personal guarantees, highlighting the dynamics of holiday deal-making. The double-pledging scandal with Tricolor sparks a discussion on corporate missteps, while they explore the intriguing merger of Truth Social with a fusion firm. South Korea's obsession with leveraged ETFs and the regulatory responses add a global perspective to the conversation, keeping listeners engaged with a mix of humor and insight.

Dive into the intense bidding war for Warner Bros., where Netflix and Paramount's offers are intriguingly close. Explore the complexities of negotiating against yourself and the factors that influence board decisions. Unpack the speculative excitement around a potential SpaceX IPO and its staggering valuation. The discussion also touches on operational risks tied to rocket launches and the evolving landscape of private credit regulation. Discover how these dynamics could reshape public and private markets!

Matt and Katie dive into the intriguing world of corporate holiday parties and shareholder meetings. They explore the end of the Strategy premium narrative and its impact on markets. The hosts discuss Bill Ackman's closed-end fund ambitions and his preference for permanent capital over ETFs. Innovations like Goldman's purchase of Innovator and the appeal of buffer ETFs take center stage. They also debate critiques of buffer ETFs, including insights from Cliff Asness, making for a lively financial conversation.

Gappy Paleologo, a quantitative researcher and portfolio manager at Balyasny Asset Management, shares insights from his rich career across prop and hedge funds. He discusses the significance of gardening leave, how it fosters creativity in teaching and writing. Gappy explores the role of factor models in investing, contrasts physics and economics backgrounds for quants, and highlights AI's evolving influence on finance. He intriguingly posits about journalists transitioning into investment roles, revealing fresh perspectives in the finance landscape.

Katie and Matt dive into the intriguing world of Batman tattoos and collectibles. They explore the complexities of binary options and prediction markets, discussing their potential to transform collectibles into bets. The hosts dissect the drama surrounding Blue Owl’s BDC merger and the implications for public versus private credit. Legal ramifications from Frank's sale to J.P. Morgan are unpacked, highlighting fraud allegations and soaring legal costs. Alongside humor, they scrutinize expense practices in the corporate world, raising questions about accountability.

Katie and Matt dive into the quirky world of ASMR before tackling the pros and cons of 50-year mortgages. They break down how assumable and portable mortgages could reshape the landscape for borrowers. The duo discusses the influence of proxy advisors on shareholder voting and challenges facing index funds and corporate governance. Competition for hedge fund talent heats up with gardening leaves inflating salaries. Finally, they ponder the potential of AI to expand the PhD talent pool and shift future research incentives.

Hosts delve into the Supreme Court’s skepticism regarding Trump's tariff authority and the constitutional implications of tariffs as taxes. They explore the complexities of refund logistics if tariffs are overturned, alongside Novo Nordisk's controversial bid for Metsera, which raises antitrust concerns. The discussion extends to Samuel Bankman-Fried’s legal troubles and the allegations of fraud against former executives at First Brands. They also consider how diligent inquiry and blockchain technology could help prevent invoice financing fraud.