Meta Surges 12%, Microsoft Tops $4T and the Fed Turn Hawkish

Earnings season is in full swing and Meta and Microsoft are stealing the show. Anthony and Piers dive into why Meta’s shares rocketed 12% on blockbuster earnings, a stunning rebound from its metaverse slump. They explore how Zuckerberg’s all-in AI pivot is paying off, from $100M talent wars to $72B in CapEx.Microsoft’s cloud machine, Azure, just clocked $75B in annual revenue with 34% growth catapulting the company past a $4 trillion valuation. Is $10 trillion next?Also on the docket: Trump’s tariff campaign enters high gear as he turns a Scottish golf course into a global trade hub. Deals are landing, inflation fears rise, and Powell’s hawkish stance is pushing the dollar higher. With a September Fed cut now a coin toss, markets are bracing for more.Big tech, big politics, and even bigger moves, your no-nonsense breakdown of the forces driving the summer markets.(00:00) Intro & Key Themes(01:37) Meta Earnings Surge(12:49) Trump’s Trade Deals(17:04) Fed’s Hawkish Shift(31:57) Microsoft’s Cloud GrowthIf you enjoy the podcast, please vote for us in the 'Listeners' choice category at the British Podcast Awards 2025! All you need to do is click on the link, search for 'Market Maker' and input your details, it takes no more than 10 secs! Thank you x